Windfall performance a rousing success

The Windfall dancers presented their annual spring dance production Saturday night, titled "Elements." The production featured the dancers' interpretations of natural occurrences through dance. Windfall is a modern dance collective originally formed in 1978 under the direction of Debbie Knapp. The Windfall dancers perform at different venues all year and hold auditions regularly. This dance company is different than others in that all members have the unique opportunity to choreograph their own pieces and choose dancers to perform them. \nThe night was divided into two acts: "Dueling Forces" and "A Churning and Yearning Earth." "Triumphant Fire" was the first piece of the evening. It was an explosive piece commemorating the victory of raging fire over rain. This piece showcased the amazing flexibility of the dancers in the company and was a very strong piece to start off the events. \nAnother highlight of the evening was "Ignition," a piece choreographed by dancer Kay Olges. It featured a song titled "Eternal" by contemporary music group "Evanescence." The piece was interesting in that it featured the dancers in a more creative light. Near the end of the piece, the dancers portrayed the dying of a woodland fire and the rhythmic pattern of the rain that continued to fall by making beats with the floor and their bodies. This piece is typical of the creative nature of the company and its ideals. Windfall Dance Company prides itself on its ability to stay fresh, a continually creative force in the dance community of Bloomington. \nThe end of the first act saw the Windfall Youth Ensemble dance to a familiar piece of music called "Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby," featured in the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" The Windfall Youth Ensemble is another dance company under the heading of Windfall Dance Company. Its members are separate from the Windfall dancers, but regularly perform with the company itself. Saturday, they performed their piece titled "Liquid Breeze," which highlighted the up-and-coming talents of the younger Windfall dancers. Act Two was even more dynamic than the first, beginning with a piece choreographed by new member Jovi-Victoria Thomas. The piece was received especially well by the audience, as the music was recognized to be from contemporary artist André 3000 of the rap duo OutKast. The piece featured the dancers at their most energetic and was followed by a slower yet powerful piece, "Gaia's Children." \nSaturday night was the last time the dance company would perform this show, and the night was undeniably a rousing success for the company that will ultimately serve as an inspiration to the dance community.