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Written by: Leslie Dias
Last weekend was highly anticipated as the third annual hip hop showcase, Rhythmic Graffiti was brought to campus by both CRAZE and CAB. The event brought twice the audience it grabbed last year, proving that the campus was excited for its arrival.
The event showcased nine different dance groups this year. The three teams from Bentley were CRAZE, the Dance Team, and the FIRE Step Squad. The other schools represented included Brandeis, Suffolk University, Boston University, Boston College, and Wellesley College each having their own dance teams to represent them in the show.
In regards to CAB’s involvement with the event, Yashika Mody, the chair for the Arts and Culture committee, talked about CAB’s participation.
“While CRAZE did an amazing job organizing all the dances and college teams, CAB’s contribution to this event was both financial and logistical,” said Mody. “CAB members helped set up the stage and backdrop the day before the show, as well as coordinated the line-up of dances the day of the show…CAB also promoted the show through our advertising mediums and outreach.”
Maria Raspa, vice president of CRAZE, commented about the high hopes of Rhythmic Graffiti after holding the event for three years, stating, “Every year we wish to accomplish higher attendance than the year before and a fun, vibrant, entertaining atmosphere where the audience engages in the performances and where there is contagious energy being spread from the dancers and to the audience.”
“It’s important for us that all of our performers and everyone in the audience has fun,” continued Raspa.
As the host dance team, CRAZE performed three times during the show, at the beginning of the first act, the beginning of the second act, and the finale of the show. The audience felt the vivacity of CRAZE’s performances, each time giving them a hearty applause.
Ethan Harrington, a freshman at Bentley, thoroughly enjoyed the show, saying, “It was really cool show; CRAZE did amazing and it’s great to see different dances from the schools around Boston. With the help of the emcees, the crowd got really into it and made it a fun night. I can’t wait until next year’s [show].”
Another act, the professional group Phunk Phenomenon was featured which presented the crowd with a burst of energy like no other. Phunk Phenomenon performs throughout the Boston area and is actually the counterpart of the group of young dancers, Lil Phunk, who perform at the Celtics’ home games. Dancing to a montage of Jay-Z songs, Phunk Phenomenon set the stage for the second act after intermission.
Sophomore, Mark Savage also observed the skill of not only the Phunk Phenomenon, but also the rest of the college dance teams saying, “There was great dancing from all across the board. They put a lot of time in and had some serious talent. I will definitely go next year.” Then, expressing his appreciation for their talents, he concludes, “I wish I could do what they do!”
After hearing the cheers roar through Koumantzelis for all the acts, Raspa noted the accomplishment that CRAZE felt after such a large showing.
“The E-board starts planning Rhythmic at the end of the spring semester – so much time and work goes into organizing this event,” said Raspa. “From developing theme, contacting teams from the Greater Boston area and building our set, to perfecting our dances, organizing lighting, DJ, etc….that being said, there is no greater feeling that to look up from the stage and you see people standing in the back of the auditorium cheering, because all of the seats are filled.”
The event let students see, as Mody commented, “[a] very diverse and culturally enriching [show], from stepping to hip hop to urban dance,” but also gave them the chance to reenergize before the big finals push during these last weeks of the semester.
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