Twelve dance groups SLAM out at 16th annual benefit & showcase

SLAM’s 16th Annual Benefit & Showcase gathered folks from Hopkins and Baltimore in Shriver Hall on the evening of Nov. 16 for a night filled with high-energy performances and stylish choreography. The event featured 12 student-led groups, from Hopkins, neighboring universities or the DMV area, and showcased each one’s passion for urban dance and free expression. 

The opener for the night — SLAM — led with a combination of hip hop and funk moves in their iconic urban style, pumping to the beat of “SPAGHETTII” by Beyoncé, Linda Martell and Shaboozey. SLAM’s choreography was infused with a sense of bold confidence, whether through the swerves and uppercuts that conveyed power, or the spins that briefly flashed the neon orange linings of their dark windbreakers.

Next up, Eclectics framed their routine around a fight scene between two halves of the dance team. Set to “Rodeo” by Lah Pat, dancers swung their fists in the air, while shifting the momentum to their hips and making power poses at the other half of the group. In signature Eclectics style, the battle shifted from street fighter style to one focusing on jazz and contemporary performance set to “Pon de Replay" by Rihanna. While dancers on one half of the stage dropped into playboy poses, the other half stared offended, perching their hands on dropped hips and preparing to retaliate with similar sass.  

In a rapid change of mood, Bowie State University dance group 7 Street took the stage dressed in white lab coats to dance their interpretation of a mad scientist’s experiment gone wrong. Tossing their hair and flaring their arms under a flashing red light, the dancers adopted an attitude of slight exasperation as if responding to a foreseen catastrophe. As “All For Us” by Labrinth and Zendaya began to play, the background took on a deep navy blue, and a single dancer channeled her frustration into a dazzling solo segment complete with air splits, cartwheels and forceful grasps at empty space. 

Entering to cheers and callouts from their peers, Hopkins Dance Collective (HDA), the dance team of the Hopkins medical school, showcased their versatility and coordination with a beautifully stylized routine. Sporting an eye-catching color palette of neon pink, black and white, the group began motionless. Suddenly, the dancers launched into a perfectly synchronized routine of body rolls, air slices and steering wheel motions that transitioned from controlled to high-speed according to the vibes of the song. The group’s second segment — set to “Good Graces” by Sabrina Carpenter — shared the first half’s precise coordination but incorporated a more graceful tone with dancers’ arms floating upward to give the effect of blooming flowers.

In an interview with The News-Letter, HDA member Jasmine Kung reflected on her experience at SLAM.

“I just came to Hopkins three months ago, and it’s nice to see everybody engaged with Hopkins beyond just the med school,” Kung said. “Dance is kind of like a friend that I grew up with and performing is always a big part of it. So, it just feels like revisiting an old friend.”

Keeping the theme of polished synchronization, Korean Pop Motion (KPM) came in with a hype group choreography that included solo dances in a dazzling K-pop style. Decked out in jeans and streetwear, KPM bopped to the infectious beat of “Ate That” by Young Posse, criss-crossing their legs with bubbly energy. With moves like dapping each other up and batting the air like cats, the members’ cute personal dynamics shone through.

Contrasting KPM’s comradery, George Mason University’s Urbanknowlogy 101 entered the stage with just half of their team to “Who Want Smoke??” by Nardo Wick. When the other half entered, it was as if the two halves were repelled by each other’s aura, and they displayed their rivalry with dramatic uppercuts and mock head-butts. Just as things seemed on the verge of escalating out of control, a bow-tied referee broke up the group, prompting the change into a more lyrical segment. Rather than challenge each other with physical combat, two rival dancers strutted up to each other, pointer fingers raised and hands on hips as they sized each other up like girl bosses.

After a brief intermission, SLAM’s seniors gave an adorable sendoff, choreographed for one of their final performances at Shriver Hall. Seated against a blood-red background, a row of black silhouettes flipped their hair and swiveled their legs, giving a mysterious but enticing tableau. To the sudden cue of “Gimme More” by Britney Spears, the lights flared on to illuminate the seniors’ adorable animal pajamas as they slipped in and out of power poses. 

In a similarly offbeat manner, Phunktions Dance Company grooved to “Workin’ Day and Night” by Michael Jackson while portraying a group of office workers goofing off at their day job. As an alarm-like triangle bleeped over the speakers, a dancer in business casual tapped around the stage in frenzied steps. A white board parted into two halves to reveal the rest of the group which burst into a theatrical routine, holding each others’ shoulders and sighing to Jackson’s iconic breaths as they got into the day’s grind. 

Cool and confident, MOTION Dance Team started motionless to the strong beats of “Press” by Cardi B. Beginning with a slow neck roll, the group stomped into their routine — delayed but nonchalantly stylish. At “press press press press press,” members rested their arms on each others’ shoulders, shaking their heads in sardonic unison. Then the lights dimmed — the group switched to a racier but still confident segment, choreographed to “2 On” by Tinashe, and dusted off their palms with a self-assured aura.

Continuing with an assertive message, DMV-based Kosmic Latte slammed on to “Bitch Better Have My Money” by Rihanna. The dancers brought their elbows to their knees in sharp kicks to the stresses in “...better have my money”, opening and crossing their arms as if asking the audience to justify themselves. Their slow body rolls and jagged steps to the song’s heavy beats further emphasized the group’s unhurried aura. During a later section to “First Person Shooter” by Drake, their stored energy emerged, manifesting in rapid rolls, freezes and dynamic hair flips.

Transitioning to a wildly different style of confidence, Dynamic Dance Team opened with a wild west duel to “SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN'” by Beyoncé and Shaboozey. Members stood in stylish cowgirl outfits with pointed finger guns, watching the two lead cowgirls with anticipation. After a quick hat adjustment, the group exploded into powerful hip thrusts, dizzying lasso motions and vigorous bicep pumps. Just as impressive were the solo segments which included hops into splits and aerials, highlighting the individual energies that comprised the group.

Moving to a unique take on urban dance, Breakers Crew rocked up with four silhouettes posed against a cobalt blue background. After three lilting phrases, the group broke into a routine of nonchalant but high-energy toprock, moving their feet like butter to “Wake Up in the Sky” by Gucci Mane, Bruno Mars and Kodak Black. For their second segment, the Breakers launched into an upbeat routine to “TUCA DONKA” by CURSEDEVIL, DJ FKU and Skorde that showcased the team’s strength and energy by combining explosive footwork with side and baby freezes. In keeping with Breakers tradition, the group included a cypher set to “Boogie Wonderland” by Earth, Wind & Fire and The Emotions, giving dancers the chance to freestyle according to the spontaneity of each moment.

Dashingly debonair, Major Definition, based at University of Maryland Baltimore County, swooped in to “Suit & Tie” by Justin Timberlake, smoothing their hair and straightening their ties to high-pitched brass. Snapping to the beat of “As long as I’ve got my suit and tie," the dancers shuffled forward in groovy formation. To show off their swag, they stretched the straps of their suspenders back and forth while bopping to “Let me show you a few things, show you a few things, about love.”

For the finale of the night, SLAM came back on, decked in shirts and ties for one more dance to a mix of Rihanna. Dancers strutted down a hallway formed from two lines of dancers whose hands were perched on hip and knee, checking out those walking through. SLAM delivered another series of amazing group formations such as windmilling their arms while hopping like wind-up toys, prepping for their last rush. Right at the end, everyone fell to the floor gracefully to convey their fatigue, but not before giving a final united scream as the lights faded to black.

Though the night concluded in a flash, the time and energy everyone put into their performances shone through; it was amazing to see the culmination of each group’s choreography, practices and team dynamics. The dance communities have so much passion for their craft, and their future performances are sure to be equally epic.