Preview: On-campus dance groups prepare for fall shows

UNC is home to diverse dance groups that provide experienced and amateur student dancers alike the opportunity to take the stage for friends, family and the Chapel Hill community. We've collected a preview of four of the shows to look forward to this coming month. 

Que Rico | November 16-17

Que Rico is a premier Latin dance team at UNC that specializes in salsa, bachata, merengue and reggaeton. They will perform their five-minute set at two locations: Ay Por Dios! Mexican Bistro on Saturday and Carmen’s Cuban Cafe & Lounge in Morrisville on Sunday. 

Saturday's show will be co-hosted with local Afro-Latin dance company, Baila Beats, Que Rico Co-manager Anthony Sanchez-Padilla said. Saturday and Sunday's performances will be different, one prospectively a new bachata routine the group has yet to perform in front of an audience. 

“Our main goal is just to keep Latin dance alive and help spread the culture and the history about it through performance and through the team bond itself,” Sanchez-Padilla said.

Que Rico holds auditions for students at the beginning of every semester and workshops throughout the year. They also plan to have a showcase next semester. 

UNC-CH Ballroom Dance Team| November 16

The competitive dance team on campus, the UNC-CH Ballroom Dance Team has been preparing for the upcoming Triangle Open Dancesport Competition on Nov. 16 at N.C. State University.

The team's dancers will pair off according to skill level. Those pairs will then perform in front of a panel of judges against similarly skilled pairs from competing universities. 

To get ready for this competition, the team has rehearsed frequently. Throughout the semester, the team has also had socials so members can bond with one another. 

Team Captain Amry Rivera said the team does “rounds” every Wednesday — practicing every dance in a row to get into the competition mindset. There are also off-campus lessons on Mondays and advanced lessons on Thursdays. No matter what type of rehearsal it is, the captains prioritize giving feedback on technique to strengthen the dancers' skills and instill confidence. 

“Feedback is really valuable, especially in the ballroom world,” Rivera said.

Carolina Vibe | November 22 

Carolina Vibe is a student-led organization of 31 dancers. The team mainly practices contemporary, jazz and hip hop.

Carolina Vibe’s fall showcase will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Sonja Hayes Stone Center for Black Culture and History on campus. Their one-hour performance will consist of 16 routines and has free admission.

Co-president Alyssa Cadiz said the team has worked hard in rehearsals, practicing twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays for 1-2 hours. 

“The closer we are and the more we all understand each other, the better our dances are,” Cadiz said.

The team will also have another showcase in the spring. 

Blank Canvas | November 24 

UNC’s largest student-run dance company, Blank Canvas, provides aspace for dancers of all levels and all styles. 

The company’s fall showcase will be held at 5:30 p.m. at Memorial Hall and will be about two and a half hours long, consisting of the routines the group has practiced during the semester. Tickets can be accessed on the Carolina Performing Arts website.

The group allows dancers to choose the dance genres they're interested in. Then, each week, dancers practice their routines in 45-minute rehearsals. 

“Not only do you get to meet people and practice dances and learn things, but you also get to perform and show your friends and family your love for dance,” Morgan Whiteside, president of Blank Canvas, said. 

Blank Canvas holds two performances a year with intake and level placement taking place at the beginning of each semester. 

Further information on UNC dance teams and their upcoming performances can be found on Heel Life or Instagram. 

@dthlifestyle | lifestyle@dailytarheel.com