UT’s Spring Dance Happening Features Kinetic Feast

This year’s Spring Dance Happening on May 1–4 at The University of Tampa will feature experimental dance partnering, ’80s tap and a tribute to the musical Grease. The show begins in the Reeves Theatre in the Vaughn Center at 8 p.m. and works its way through campus to the East Verandah of Plant Hall.

Always a popular event on campus, the Dance Happening features student dancers from all sectors of the University community performing choreography by UT students and alumni. Dance styles include hip hop, modern, tap, lyrical, hoop and jazz, with more than 80 students participating.

A record number of graduating seniors are showing new work, from Natalie King’s experimental partnering dance set to hard rock music titled My Own Hell to Rhiannon Crawford’s ’80s tap piece. Shaniqua Rogers is choreographing a tribute to the musical Grease, and Vanessa Costanza is premiering a contemporary dance using hoops.

Both of UT’s Dance Students of the Year, Lindsey Goldaper and Amanda Sierdazki, are presenting work in the program. Goldaper is working on an a capella version of I Wanna Dance with Somebody, and Sieradzki’s lyrical dance includes music from the soundtrack of the movie, Cloud Atlas.

“The Dance Happening is such an amazing experience for students at UT,” Sieradzki says. “It offers tremendous diversity in styles and subject matter, and everyone brings something different to share in the performance. Dancers of all levels of experience participate and create a sense of family that is evident when the show is performed four nights in a row.”

The Dance Happening is free, but arrive early for the best seats. For more information, call (813) 257-3745.