By Sacha von Thomann
Photography by Shé Chani
Participants in IAC’s (Interhall Arts Committee) dance night stunned on Friday 27 September.
It was a night showcasing the talent that can be found in ANU’s halls, where competitors danced to glitz and glamour-themed songs, all vying for the top spot and a chance to help their hall take out the IAC Arts Shield.
Contestants were judged on the criteria of choreography, accessibility and inclusion, showmanship, execution, and performance (as written in the IAC bylaws).
The night had a dramatic beginning with B&G’s flowy rendition of “Young and Beautiful”. The dance was a full circle moment, starting and ending with graceful fouettés.
Ursies took the stage next after a no-show last year, making an epic comeback.
Their performance radiated passion and was a highlight of the night. Clearly having fun while on stage and donning their biggest smiles, the group made clear why IAC exists in the first place.
Bruce’s lyrical dance to Rhianna’s “Diamonds” was one of the rawest performances of the night. Each dancer moved with a great deal of emotion, and set themselves apart with expressive faces and movements.
Yukeembruk’s eerie piece was next. A lesson in storytelling, their performance to “Toxic” featured two magnificent lifts which wowed the audience.
The buzzing bees were up next. Wright Hall’s routine was polished and bold, showcasing an impressive aerial. John’s “A little party never killed nobody”, flawlessly captured the glitz and glamour of the roaring 20s. With their polished routine, this all-girl powerhouse showed up in the masses. 
Burgmann moved as one with the fluidity of their movements stealing the show. They exemplified remarkable partner work typified by their call-and response-actions.
Fenner’s “Black and Gold” mainly featured “hairography” – which involved incorporating a lot of hair flips into their piece, ending with a back tuck.
After a short break, the second half of the night started with a solo by Wamburun resident Oscar Hamada. An expertly choreographed piece executed with style.
Wright’s dance to “Telephone” featured some impressive toe touches and glitter rhinestoned hairlines.
Ursula Hall’s fun routine was one of the more provocative of the night, hip-hopping with ease and natural rhythm.
Fenner then proved their creative dominance again with another bold routine.
Johns’ residents made up a large proportion of the crowd, resulting in a standing ovation before the girls even began their piece.
They performed clean and effective sequences to Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”. A magnificent portrayal of an 80s classic, pivoting themselves to first on the podium. The judges described their performance as a “visual spectacular.”
The final podium was:
- Johns
- Bruce
- Burgmann
The end of dance night marks one of the final IAC events for 2024 as we head into the last weeks of the year.
With only the art show and creative writing events left, stakes are high for those halls trying to take out the top spot.
After Dance Night, the Arts Shield Standings are as follows:
- Wright
- Bruce
- Burgmann
Graphics by Shé Chani
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