Welsh Family Hall will bring together dance groups ranging in style from swing to hip-hop this weekend in its annual signature event, DanceFest 2012.
Junior Anna Gorman said the goal of DanceFest is to highlight the performing arts culture at Notre Dame.
"The DanceFest started as a way to showcase dance groups on campus because not too many are aware they exist or find them interesting," Gorman said. "We have dancers on campus who are absolutely phenomenal and deserve more attention than they currently receive."
DanceFest will take place Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in Washington Hall. The show will feature numbers from Dance Company, TransPose, Project Fresh, the Pom Squad, Troop ND, the Irish Dance Team and Swing Club, along with a few group performances choreographed specifically for the show.
Gorman said she hopes the DanceFest's collaborative nature will entice students to attend one of this weekend's performances.
"People don't necessarily want to go to all the different dance shows, but this gives them a taste of the different companies in one sitting," Gorman said. "Hopefully, attending one show will spark their interest, and they will recognize the impressiveness of dance."
Gorman said though all the performers share an enthusiasm for dance, each group participating in DanceFest brings its own unique style to the show.
"When you see the dancers on stage, you can see their passion, and you can tell their having a great time dancing under the lights and having an audience to enjoy their performance," Gorman said.
Sophomore Katie Fusco, a member of the TransPose modern dance company, said DanceFest builds a stronger campus arts culture for students.
"The chance to collaborate with all of the dance groups on campus is an opportunity invaluable to fostering a supportive performing arts community at Notre Dame," Fusco said.
Gorman said proceeds from the DanceFest will benefit the Robinson Community Center's Summer Shakespeare Program in support of the performing arts.
"We hope our efforts will give more kids the opportunity to express themselves artistically through the Shakespeare program," Gorman said.
