‘Holidance’ might be new holiday tradition

There are two major events that Citrus College students and local residents see as a signal to the coming holiday season: the annual Food and Toy Drive, organized by the Associated Students of Citrus College, and “Christmas Is…,” which is put on by the Performing Arts Department.

The dance department is hoping the second annual recital of the holiday dance performance, “Holidance” will become the third.

Dance professor John Vaughan created “Holidance” to replace the fall dance concert after former dance professor Diane Woodward retired last year.

“It seems to be a very successful show,” Vaughan said. “It is a nice way to celebrate the holidays.”

This year’s show features 17 pieces, including three smaller transitional pieces created so that the dancers who perform in the main pieces have time to change costumes. Students choreographed five of the dance pieces featured in the show, while faculty choreographed the remaining 12.

First-year dance student Jairus Pecson-Aquino, who choreographed the contemporary piece “Silently” said the opportunity to not only perform in “Holidance” but also choreograph a piece for the show has been an invaluable opportunity for him as an aspiring choreographer.

“We really have a good program here at Citrus,” he said. “I feel like because of this one performance, I have grown as a dancer overall. So this experience has helped me get closer to achieving my dream of becoming a choreographer.”

When describing the piece he choreographed, Pecson-Aquino said his goal was for it to stand out as much darker than the happier, traditional holiday pieces.

“It’s about fallen angels who are sent to Earth and then to Hell,” he said. “I told Vaughn, ‘why don't we do something out of the ordinary and weird?’

“It gets tiring doing all of the happy-go-lucky holiday dances. I wanted the audience to be surprised,” Pecson-Aquino said.

Fellow first-year dance student Sarah Gleason said she has expanded her dance repertoire because of “Holidance.”

“It has really been fun because all of the choreographers have their own genre and style they want us to learn,” Gleason said. “I have learned so much. I have had to learn swing dancing, partner work, and many other styles I have never tried before.”

“It is really an enriching experience to bring so many different type of dances together for us to perform,” she said.

“Holidance” will be performed in the Haugh Performing Arts Center at Citrus College on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m. General admission will be $12 and students and seniors will be $10.