Dancing in the light

Young Chang

Dance instructors at Orange Coast College will settle for nothing less

than a swirl of eclectic colors, rhythms and dances to celebrate the most

basic of elements:

Light.

With everything from Renaissance dances to a Swedish procession, the

different cultural segments of OCC’s Winter Dance Festival may appear to

have nothing in common. But the historical relevance of each performance

shows that each is a festive way of welcoming the sun.

“It’s a celebration of light and joy during the darkest time of the

year,” said Amelie Hunter, an OCC dance professor and co-director of the

free dance Fest. “And it’s our way of looking at many cultures and

learning more about traditions around the world.”

The program includes dances from the Renaissance era, from Mexico,

Latin America, Spain, India and Africa.

The Renaissance folks celebrated the winter solstice with poems and

music resembling the style of “The Lord of the Dance.” They wore full

blouses with long and puffy sleeves (the men too), corseted vests,

jerkins and long tights.

OCC’s students will don the same costumes for next week’s shows, which

will be staged at the Robert B. Moore Theatre. Part of the segment will

include a dance that runs in a line around the stage. Audience members

will be welcome to step up and join.

“It’s a dance, again, that is simply rejoicing in this time of year,”

Hunter said.

The Swedish rejoiced for similar reasons, but with Saint Lucia in

mind. She was considered the bringer of light but was burned at the stake

because she lived during Pagan times and refused to give up her

Christianity.

Students at OCC will wear white gowns to symbolize Lucia’s virginity,

and the flames on their candles will represent the fire at the stake.

“Right now, the celebration is done in Swedish homes,” Hunter said.

“And it’s very widespread in schools, offices and public places.”

An East Indian harvest dance will also commemorate a legend. Based on

the January harvest festival called Pongal, the traditional dance

celebrates the rain god, the sun god and the bonds between friends and

relatives. A part of the dance is also a worship of cattle. Wearing saris

and holding sugar canes, students from OCC’s Indian dance class will

perform this tradition.

“It tells a story,” said Brenda Newman, an 18-year-old dance major at

the college. “A lot of dance today is pretty and interesting, but this

has a background and a history to it, which makes it more interesting.”

Hunter agrees that history and education is a main focus of the show.

“We wanted an alternative to ‘The Nutcracker,”’ she said. “We wanted

something that shows traditions around the world. We thought this would

be a way we could represent different cultures rather than just one.”

FYI

What: Winter Dance Fest

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. and noon Friday

Where: Orange Coast College’s Robert B. Moore Theatre, 2701 Fairview

Road, Costa Mesa

Cost: Free

Call: (714) 432-5506