These girls perform Rock Ole at the Esor Dance Ensemble Jus Dance at the Courtleigh Auditorium, last Saturday. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

In their third season, the Esor Dance Ensemble 'Jus Dance' was a showcase of sound choreography, fantastic costumes and energetic movements. The show was held last Saturday at Courtleigh Auditorium, New Kingston.

The 90-member ensemble encompasses four dance troupes (Reachers, Optimistic, Soarers and Excel) spanning four age groups; Excel being the more advanced group and Reachers the youngest. The dancers were guided by talented choreographers Sandra Rose, artistic director of Esor, and five guest choreographers - Orette Beckford, Sherona Wright, Janelle Robinson, Kareen McLean and Stephanie Graham.

The programme was divided into two segments and the dances categorised into themes. The first category was 'Folk Encounter' and the opening dance 'Mi Neighbour' choreographed by Rose. It was entertaining and best described as a carnival of flags.

The flags, representing each Caribbean island, including the non-English speaking ones, were well attached to the chest of each member of the Excel dance troupe. But it was the twists of having the girls carry the boys that provided the lightest moment.

Beautiful extension

The category 'Candid Bodies and Minds' was a departure into the love zone. There were three dances - 'Pulse' (Soarers) choreographed by Beckford and 'Enchanted' (Optimistic) and 'Chasing Love' choreographed by Graham and performed by Excel. 'Chasing Love' is intriguing. The dance is slow with graceful movements and a demonstration of beautiful extension of bodies.

Religion was reinforced in 'Revival' through the combined performance by Excel and Optimistic in 'Satan Schemes' choreographed by Rose. The dance drama highlights social ills and offers the Church as a solution. The formations and use of levels were excellent.

Generally, the pace of part one was very quick and the cues were extremely tight. One host, Colin Lecesne, announced the order of the items as the dances flowed into each other, keeping a tight grip on the applause of the well-attended audience.

But in part two, the audience was allowed to exhale. There were short breaks due in part to the interjection of guest performers, a troupe of dancers calling themselves Desperate Housewives and two singers, Teena Tamara and Oj-Deru.

Seventeen-year-old Kareen McLean's choreography opened segment two and followed by Wright's 'Diamonds', danced by Optimistic. But the segment belonged to Rose's 'Girl's Having Fun' and 'Junkies'.

Very energetic

'Junkies' was very energetic and included contemporary dance moves like The Sweep. Upon its conclusion the now vocal audience shouted 'Encore!'

The strength of the show was the costumes. Designed by Rose, they showed thought and attention to details. Each costume was apt for the specific dance and age group. They range from hats to shoes and incorporated a variety of colours in pants, dresses and unitards.

On the whole, Jus Dance is definitely a family event and is worth seeing, especially the costumes.