User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 

The shows will be held at the Buck Shaffer Auditorium on Friday, April 13 and Saturday, April 14 at 7 p.m.

It is back to the basics as the Grizzlies get back in shape for dance. Mr. Gonzales, the instructor, likes to make sure his dancers are ready for the demanding practices that lay ahead.

The first two weeks of practice consist of Zumba, a fitness program that incorporates different dance moves from Latin music.

“I love Zumba,” said Janelle Castillo, a dancer. “It’s a really good workout and makes exercising fun.”

After two weeks of Zumba, the dancers will then go on to learn the steps to the dances they will be performing at their next show. They will be practicing in class every day for the next three months and begin night practices starting in February.

Even with the success of the last performance, Gonzales is making a few changes this semester. Instead of showcasing all the dancers, from all the high schools on one night, there will be two different dance performance dates. Beginners will be performing on Friday and the advanced class will be performing the following Saturday.

“Having two separate performances gives the students their own moment to shine,” said Gonzales.

With fewer students backstage, everyone hopes that the upcoming show will be more organized.

“There was broken jewelry and costumes lying around everywhere,” recalled Elide Solis, a dancer. “Hopefully next year it will be more organized.”

In addition to the dance performance in April, there will another show in May. Instead of the traditionally folkloric dances typically done, the four beginner classes from Granite Hills, Monache, and Porterville will be putting on a talent show.

The students will be breaking up into groups and creating their own dances, any style of dancing. The talent show will be open to any family or friends of the students and there will be a $5 entrance fee.

“The talent show is great because the students get to choose to dance what they like,” said Gonzales. “It’s very multicultural.”

In past years, performers have recreated many different dances, from traditionally Indian dances to 1950’s inspired dances.

“I hope everyone can come and enjoy the shows because we work really hard,” said Castillo.