The annual Dance Cabaret Night at Aliso was a night to remember, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of the Dance Appreciation program (DA). Held in the ANHS theatre, the event brought together students, teachers and families for an evening of diverse dance performances.
The auditorium was transformed into a lively and vibrant space with colorful lights and decorations that set the perfect atmosphere for the evening. The experience was captivating, with showcases of dance, music and entertainment combined for a dynamic and unique atmosphere.
A range of solos and group dances wowed the audience, with each performance bringing something unique. Different dance styles such as hip hop and contemporary dance were performed, not to mention a captivating Polynesian dance performed by one of DA’s sophomore students.
Dances during cabaret night were even influenced and inspired by celebrities and dancers, making each dance and performance more unique and special.
Captain Alyssa Vargas (12) said, “My favorite performance was definitely our Medium Female Division set because the theme is Beyonce Coachella, and I love Beyonce so much!”
“…Every dancer on stage really embodied [Beyonce’s] character, making it one of my favorite performances,” adds Sergeant Nicole Aguirre (11).
Aliso’s Dance Team also performed at cabaret night, showcasing their talent in contemporary dance. From the fluidity of their contemporary dance to the high-energy moves of hip-hop, the dancers displayed their skills and passion for the art throughout the night.
Vargas said, “The first showcase of comp sets was definitely exciting but also very pressured and nerve-wracking. Having a huge crowd and panel of judges…made me perform more energetic so that definitely always taught me to practice how I want to perform…I feel like for every performance there’s always room for improvement!”
Cabaret night serves as a time to showcase the program’s skills that they have practiced so hard up to this point in the year and gives them a chance to show aspects of their competition sets for their season.
“I thought our annual cabaret night went really well and I loved being able to show our family and close friends a sneak peek of our competition sets,” adds Aguirre.
Behind these small sneak peeks of sets was the hard work of the dancers and the guidance of their instructors. The divisions are currently coached by David Lim, Jasmine Orcaz and Kelli Murphy, who is also a science teacher at Aliso.
DA’s Cabaret Night provided an opportunity for students to shine and demonstrate their passion for dance. Each routine was a testament to their dedication and the support they received from the dance program.
Concluding the night, Vargas added her final thoughts about the performance, “I am excited for the rest of the season. Seeing how much work my team put in already for our first showcase makes me excited and confident to see our comp sets growing and improving.”
Cabaret Night was a resounding success, showcasing the diverse talents of Aliso’s D.A. program. The event not only highlighted the hard work of the students but also brought the community together to celebrate the power of dance and music as a form of expression. The night left everyone eagerly anticipating next year’s performances in their annual cabaret.
