The Carolina Vibe dance team will be hosting its annual Spring Showcase on Saturday in Memorial Hall. The all-female and student-run dance team hopes its showcase will convey the group’s unique place in the UNC community.
The Spring Showcase is typically made up of about 20 to 25 dance pieces, entirely choreographed by Carolina Vibe members. The majority of the pieces are in a contemporary style, with several focusing on hip-hop and jazz.
Hailey Blair, a senior who serves as the president of Carolina Vibe, said being a part of the team since her first year at UNC has given her a community of people who share her passion for dancing.
“This has really been the closest family that I’ve had here at UNC,” Blair said. “We’re a really small group of women. There’s only 25 of us on the team, so we all get really close.”
Carolina Vibe prides itself on its tight-knit and inviting nature, which the dancers hope will show in the performance. Blair said the bonding starts on day one from when members join the team.
“When we get new girls, the first practice we don’t dance,” Blair said. “We all tell our most embarrassing dance stories … It’s funny how quick that helps us bond because dance is a pretty amazing thing that does link people really closely together.”
Lauren Mancini, the group’s public relations officer, said Carolina Vibe has been an excellent way to bring together dancers who want to continue their lifelong passion for dance, but in a different vein than that of other dance groups on campus.
“We’ve danced our whole lives and want to continue it through college but more in a contemporary style,” Mancini said.
Jamie Smith, a junior officer for Carolina Vibe, said from her experience in past years that the Spring Showcase can also be a bittersweet night for a lot of the team, especially the seniors.
