One, two, three and four, five, six, seven, and eight." These sounds of drilling dancers to perfection are the first things I hear above my own desperate gasps for air as I scale the steps of Pottruck Fitness Center (perhaps it's been a little too long since I last visited the gym) to watch Strictly Funk's reherse for their spring show. Disturbingly high heart rates aside, as I arrive on the scene, the members of Funk have already sacrificed multiple hours of their precious Sunday dancing, laughing, learning and practicing new routines for their latest show, Funk High, opening this Friday.
Strictly Funk is by far one of the hottest performing arts groups on campus. This talented and eclectic mix of undergraduates has been entertaining audiences since 1997. When asked why Funk is so popular on campus, College sophomore and co-director Shoshanna Tyler responded, "everyone comes out to watch Funk because we're different. We go beyond the limits and have fun with it."
College senior and SF Chair Sandy Zinovoy attributes the group's popularity to their diverse talent and unique product. "Everyone has a very different background which gives us a unique look. We put a lot of energy into this because it incorporates what we're about -- fun and dancing." The group mesmerizes audiences with the undeniable talent, creativity, energy and playfulness they bring to the stage.
Funk High -- the 2005 spring show -- is no exception. The performance includes 10 main dances centered around a high school theme. In between the major dances, the troupe incorporates transitions, playful dances and skits related to the theme, which make the entertainment continuous and keep the energy high. "Funk High is a play on high school. We're reliving the high school experiences through dancing," explains Zinovoy. Themes and skits include sex, relationships, fights and just plain old letting lose. With a soundtrack as fresh as the talent, Strictly Funk's Spring show is a must see.
