Molodi

Berry College to host performance by Molodi Dance Troupe
by Staff Reports20 days ago | 169 views | 0 | 3 | |
Molodi, a dance troupe that fuses traditional African-American stepping with tap and South African gumboot, will bring its high-energy performance style to Berry College’s Ford Auditorium on Wednesday, (March 24), for a 7 p.m. concert sponsored by the Krannert Center Activities Board (KCAB) and the Office of Multicultural and International Student Programs. Admission is free and open to the public.

“Molodi is a great show that will open students’ minds to the world,” said KCAB advisor Lydia Salcedo. “Step Afrika’s show was a huge success last year, and Molodi will bring something even more new and different.”

Influenced by the many social issues affecting contemporary society, the Molodi performers promise to make audience members a part of their show and guarantee they will never see the same show twice. The group of five performers is well known for collaborating with slam poets, rappers and dancers of all different backgrounds.

“Molodi is all percussion and presentation,” said Dr. Tasha C. Toy, director of multicultural and international student programs. “They have a combination of sight and sound that is new, fresh and amazing.”
- www.romenews-tribune.com

One man enters the stage, picks up the microphone and, not words, but beats emit through the speakers combined to form a melody. A second man enters the stage with a song, a third male dances onto the stage, and the last person, a female, also enters with a dance.

Eastern New Mexico University hosted "Raw Footage" last Thursday, April 22, in the Campus Union Building Ballroom.

"It was amazing, really amazing," Ashley Runqueist, 19, freshman in Communication Disorders, said. "It was exciting and intense."

Molodi, the group performing "Raw Footage," is not just a step-dance group, but they include tap, African American stepping, South African gumboot as well as many other influences into their routines.

The group consists of: Jason "Jayro" Nious, from Albuquerque who graduated from the University of New Mexico, was the assistant choreographer for "Stomp the Yard 2" and has performed in many things including "Stomp Out Loud" and "Cirque de Soleil" in Las Vegas, Nev.; Antwan Davis, also from Albuquerque, "a beat-box master" (said Nious), has performed in everything from "Stomp," "Stomp Out Loud" and "Step Africa;" Harmony Costa, from Las Angeles, Cali., has worked with top choreographers and performed in "Stomp" and "Stomp Out Loud;" and Chris "CJ3" Rutledge who has co-choreographed Disney's "LaFeet" as well as been in other performances (said Nois and molodi.net).

"I loved everything-the body movement and the acting … the facial expressions that they make," Daniela Garcia, 24, senior Spanish major, said. "When they were talking about the food," she said about her favorite part, "Antwan called me out, asking me if I took any good photos of him."

The food, or "soul food," routine was where Davis said, Nious was "the bass," Costa was the "woman's touch," Rutledge was "the spice," and Davis said "I hold it all together" as he wore a chef's apron.

Rey Coss, 20, freshman in Agriculture Education, said his favorite part was the theatrical part when they were quoting Shakespeare mixed with dancing.

Nious had performed a soliloquy, a speech by himself, from Shakespeare in a routine that Molodi had "rewound" to pretend to begin again in slow-motion so the audience could see what happens when they dance. Davis, Costa and Rutledge continued a dance routine in slow motion where they made different "confused" expressions as Nious performed. Rutledge then pretended to kill Nious nearing the end of that performance.

In his theatrical performance, Nious said, "I am slayed."

Then the group ended the same way as the first time before the routine had "rewound."

In finale, the show displayed its name, "Raw Footage," based on the impromptu ending where the audience assisted Molodi with some stomping and clapping while a few random audience members a trio -"Molodi."

Many other routines were performed by the dance company including poems and other themed dances.

"Molodi is awesome," Coss said, "five stars for ENMU."

This event was attributed to Associated Students Activities Board, Multicultural Affairs, African American Affairs, and the Department of Music. Molodi gave a special thank you to the Music Department's Dr. Tracy Carr for all of her help.
- The Chase, The Independent Student Publication of ENMU