Fusion was the theme Saturday night as the gentle notes of the Pan-Asian Dance Troupe's "Birds and Bees Polka" ushered in the hip-hop beats of "Rhythm Nation" and the dancers of Penn's Soundworks Tap Factory. Both groups participated in the 10th Annual Emily Sachs Dance Benefit at the Iron Gate Theatre.
The benefit, a collaborative effort of all 13 dance groups in the Performing Arts Council, is held in memory Emily Sachs, a member of the Class of '98 who died from asthma during the summer after her freshman year. A Chi Omega sister and an avid lover of ballet, Emily Sachs was crowned Miss Dance New York in 1994 and Miss Dance Pennsylvania in 1992.
In 2000, proceeds from the annual shows funded the Emily Sachs Dance Gallery, a space in Irvine Auditorium especially equipped for dance rehearsals and small performances.
Usually a sold-out event with a turnout of over 500 people, the benefit was not as popular this year in the face of the night's heavy snowfall and harsh temperatures.
"Last year, the show raised about $3,500, but there was no blizzard to deal with," said Wharton senior Nicole Caprio, co-chairwoman of the event. "I'd say we raised about half of that this year."
Despite the relatively sparse turnout, audience members agreed that the performances were worth the trek.
"I'd say this is my favorite undergraduate dance show," said Women's Studies lecturer Felicity Paxton, "because you get to see [all the groups]."
Many of the dancers were also drawn by the opportunity to perform on the same stage as their peers from other groups.
"You can really see how much everyone here loves to dance," College sophomore and Strictly Funk member Eric A. Wang said.
Despite the collaborative effort, the vast majority of the audience was composed either of members or friends of the performing-arts community.
"A lot of the advertising takes place within the [Student Activities Council] family," Caprio said.
Performers felt that the benefit could be better advertised to people outside the dance community.
"This is definitely one of the best dance shows on campus that no one knows about," College senior and PennDhamaka member Gerard Reddy said.
Funds from this year's show will be used to commission a mural for the Emily Sachs Dance Gallery.
