Tuesday

May 5, 1998

Five decades of dance at CSUS

Jazzee Dance Company's Spring 1998 concert, "Seven ... Ten Split," opened last weekend with two of its three performances sold out.

Twenty-seven dancers from CSUS performed 18 dance pieces to a receptive audience at Friday's performance. The program had the audience laughing with its spoofs of songs such as Abba's "Dancing Queen," in which girls dressed for a beauty pageant fight and scream for a shot at queen.

"The show is a must-see," said Scott Williams, a senior at CSUS who had never been to a Jazzee performance before.

Celebrating the university's 50th anniversary, the hour-and-15-minute performance has a variety of dancers at different levels performing a variety of dancing styles including modern, popular jazz , hip-hop, tap dance and even gymnastics. There are six different eras using three musical hits from each year to celebrate the history of 1947, 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987 and 1997. Each era is set apart in the blackened theater of Dancespace with a spoken history narrative by Dr. Linda Goodrich that summarizes the major events of the year. The narrative includes CSUS history with information from 1947 where the first 235 students enrolled in a four-year program in Sacramento, to 1997 when CSUS was celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The Jazzee Dance Company, now in its 20th season, was founded in 1977 by Dale Scholl, the facility advisor and artistic director for the show. Jazzee is a student company that performs once a year in the spring semester. The students in the show have to audition to be in the company and, according to Joan Liddicoat, the technical director for the show, about two-thirds of the people who audition get spots in the company. The pieces are choreographed primarily by alumni who have achieved professional recognition in the dance field, and by students who are in their second year with Jazzee.

"The show was excellent. It looks like they put a lot of work into it." said Dr. Linda Goodrich. The audience on Friday was mostly composed of family and friends of the company members. Bill Espenshade, a graduate of CSUS in 1969, who came to see Tracy Milunovich, Goodrich said.

The company members have been preparing for the show during the semester while enrolled in PE 127. The students learn about choreography and dancing, in addition to learning what goes into making a dance production happen. The students get experience in setup, tear down, make-up, costume, as well as the many dance moves that have to be perfected as a team.

According to Dale Scholl, this program was designed to help dance students like Melissa Moore, Miss Arkansas in the "Dancing Queen" piece, who would like one day to teach dance. If she has to direct student shows of her own, the practical knowledge gained from her two seasons in Jazzee will enable her to be better-prepared for her work as a dance teacher in the future.

All shows start at 8 p.m. in the CSUS Dancespace, Solano 1010. Look for the mascot, a black-and-white cow adorned with white lights; it marks the spot.

The Jazzee Dance Company has one more weekend of shows, May 7, 8 and 9. Tickets for the Thursday and Saturday shows are limited but Friday has available seating. Ticket prices are $10 general, $8 for students, senior citizens, and alumni, and $6 for children. For ticket reservations call 278-6306.

Alpha Phi Omega helps women dress for success

Alpha phi Omega and Women Escaping A Violent Environment (W.E.A.V.E.) will unite their efforts on Saturday, May 9 to host a drive for the "Clothing Women for Success Program."

The co-ed fraternity members will accept donations of gently used women's business clothing, women's shoes and accessories, blankets and towels from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Weaveworks located at 1819 K Street.

"We will have a table set up and hope to get a lot of good donations from the community," said Reba Anderson who is the Public Relations spokeswoman for Alpha Phi Omega.

All clothing donations will be accepted; however there is a specific need for full-figured women's business attire. Any donations are tax-deductible and donation receipts will be issued.

The "Clothing Women for Success Program" operated three days per week on a referral basis to help clients acquire business clothing to re-enter the work force and job interviews. "On a typical day six to 10 clients are outfitted with clothing for job interviews," said Sue Turngren, the program's director.

"We hope to have fun and help out a worthy cause in the progress," said Anderson. Alpha Phi Omega is an International Co-Ed Community Service Fraternity on campus whose primary goal is to provide service to the campus, community and nation.

"We meet our goal by hosting at least one service project per week," said Anderson. Other projects the group has participated in include a fund-raiser for the Sacramento Children's Home, a toy drive for the St. Patrick's Home for Children, and an on campus blood drive.

For more information on this or other up-coming service projects, contact Anderson at 393-7709.

A cut Above the rest? You decide

Few bands can say that they used to be two separate cover bands that would pack 'em in at Bobby McGee's on Sunrise Boulevard in the middle of the week. An even smaller group can claim that their drummer passed out, drunk, in the middle of a set while rehearsing at a pool hall in Roseville.

Such talent and untimely events helped to form the four-man alternative band Above, whose members hail from Antelope, a community near Roseville.

"We were tired of playing covers," said bass guitarist Kyle Knowlton of the upstart band, "and the four of us wanted to do our own stuff. So we would get together without telling the others. It was like cheatin' on our bands."

Cheating led to a demo tape, which led to a contracted challenge to come up with a studio album in 40 days on a pocket-change budget of $5,000.

The goal for the foursome was to produce an album -- written, recorded and mixed with cover art, photographs and thank-yous -- and put it in the hands of some guy in Los Angeles with Woodland Communications Group. WCG then had 60 days to distribute the album before those rights were given back to the band.

"Any normal contract would allow us eight months and tens of thousands of dollars to record an album," said Knowlton, the long-haired, red-headed bass player.

Moreover, "They gave us a deadline of December 31," Knowlton said as he pulled on his scalp and moaned, as if recalling the agony, "and the contract was offered on November 18."

Now, the sleepless nights originally experienced at a south-Sacramento recording studio last December are repeating themselves as the band suits up for self-promotion.

The key to their publicity is that Above will play for free for one hour in return for an interview or article for a local publication or school newspaper. (No, they're not yet scheduled to play on campus.)

Their scheme is nothing unusual ... Other local bands, such as Simon Says, used to play high school and other campuses all the time. But the members of Above have had to deal with their fair share of obstacles.

"One school thought we were a Christian rock band and warned us not to mention God in our lyrics," said vocalist Brian Lee Rodgers as another member laughed at the thought.

Despite such comments, Above has finally found itself on the schedules of a number of local venues during the spring and summer months.

"There is no particular message to our music," said drummer Brian Courtright"We just want to play."

Rodgers and Glenn Halldorson, lead guitarist, smirked as the four talked about lyrics.

Halldorson giggled between sips of beer as he talked about the song "Eric."

"This busboy at Carrow's (Restaurant) was having a smoke and Brian (Rodgers) started talking to him..."

"I'll talk to anyone who seems a little strange; I just like to talk to people like that I guess," said Rodgers. "This guy Eric would tell me he's been to Europe and all of these places. But he's never left Antelope."

Look for Above at upcoming May dates at Old Ironsides in Sacramento, the Cantina in Davis and Harlow's on J Street in July. Above also will be playing at upcoming multiple sclerosis benefits. You can find them on the World Wide Web at www.jps.net/above.

15 seconds of fame

Name: Dustin Romero

Major: Marketing

Class Level: Junior

Do you work?
Yes, I'm head waiter at TGI Friday's.

Any plans for the summer?
I'm going to Colorado on Memorial Day weekend to see Dave Matthews Band at Red Rocks Amphitheater. I'll work the rest of the summer to pay off my trip.

What is the best course you've taken at CSUS?
Math 23 (Business Calculus). The teacher was so weird that I forgot I was doing math. I ended up getting a good grade.

Who do you want to beat up?
Anyone who can't resist the temptation to "raise the roof." I hate that!

What three words describe you best?
Moderate ... busy ... tired.

If you could trade places with anyone for one day, who would it be?
Ron Jeremy -- enough said.

What moment in TV history changed your life forever?
Every year's Super Bowl commercials. I want to come up with those ideas.

If you were stranded on a desert island with a CD player and one disc, what would you choose?
Anything by Roger Waters. He is a very disturbed human being.

What food would you never put in your mouth?
I'd never, in a million years, eat escargot.

What would "The Dustin Romero TV Show" be like?
It would be something like "Mystery Science Theater 3000" except I would make fun of infomercials.

What is your worst habit?
I'll tell you later, but I'm pretty sure it's procrastination.

Describe your dream job in 10 words or less.
Raking in gobs of cash for making people laugh.

What is the greatest movie of all-time?
That would have to be "The Usual Suspects." Kaiser Soze kicks ass!

What's in your pockets right now?
$20, maxed out credit cards and keys to my totaled car.

What do you hope to be reincarnated as?
I think I want to be a dog. I'd love to lie around all day and have my belly rubbed.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Tying up my phone line by being online for hours a day.

Who's your favorite Spice?
Ooooh ... Posh! Sorry, Amy.

What condiment could you not live without?
French's Mustard. I can put that stuff on anything.

It's 3 a.m. and you are at 7-11. What one thing are you buying?
Either a rose to patch up an argument with my girlfriend or a cola Slurpee.

What will your gravestone say?
"He tried."

CD SHOWCASE

Identity Crisis

By ROB COLE
HORNET STAFF WRITER

A lot of credit has to be given to Above, a band who was asked to produce a CD in 60 days given a $5,000 budget.

From production writing to the cover art and photographs, these guys did it all ... and out popped "Identity Crisis," an aptly named alternative rock album with many ideas, styles, and no clear direction, except that it deals "with reality."

Despite their limited studio time, they have kept the tracks of their songs very clean and well-composed -- so much that at times the listener might hope for some bursting at the seams, just to leave a little slop behind.

Check out their album at all Tower Records, Border's Books, you know the drill ... support your local bands. (FYI: these guys are looking for local gigs, even house parties ... give them a call or look at www.jps.net/above.)

Out of a possible five stars, "Identity Crisis" recieves two and a half.

The Elephant Riders

By JOSH DIEHL
FEATURES EDITOR

On "The Elephant Riders," Clutch comes off as a demented cross-breed between Helmet and Primus. Experimenting with odd time signatures and song topics, the band created a groove-heavy collection of songs.

Neil Fallons' vocals are catchy, querky and understated. He raps and rhythmically chants, making each melody bounce along with its accompanying music.

Thanks to a team of top-knotch musicians, Fallons' odd-ball lyrics are surrounded by similarly bizarre music. Riff after riff, guitarist Tim Sult and bassist Dan Maines lay down the foundation while drummer Jean-Paul Gaster establishes an unshakeable groove.

Beginning with the album's opening track, Clutch has created an album of slippery riffs that are both experimental and interesting.

Out of a possible five stars, "The Elephant Riders" receives four.

Poet's Corner