The roar of the music and movement could be heard in the street outside of Mount Clemens’ Emerald Theatre on Saturday, Jan. 18. The Main Event, a choreography showcase, hosted its fifth annual gathering of dancers. Almost 200 dancers from the Midwest, including Grand Valley State University’s Move 2 the Beat, crowded around the one-stage theatre, cheering on familiar and new faces.
Although the Midwestern dance scene is significantly smaller than that of New York or Los Angeles, the community is familiar and encouraging. Each time a new group steps on stage, they are welcomed with loud cheers.
“(The Midwestern dance community) is tight-knit,” said Claire DiFranco, the creator and host of The Main Event. “Everyone knows everyone. It’s so nice to see everyone come together.”
DiFranco created The Main Event in 2021 as an opportunity for the community to support and showcase local dance talent. She said that while it can be hard for students to find ways to keep performing after graduation, The Main Event provides them with a place to shine.
“It’s not a competition (or about) whose better,” DiFranco said. “I want it to be big (and) inviting. I want everyone to be part of it.”
DiFranco added that she created the event as a way to bring different dance styles together. At the showcase, hip-hop dancers cheered on their contemporary peers and K-pop dance friends. The venue’s old, wooden stage bolstered everything from bare feet to sneakers, tap shoes and heels.
“I wanted it to be about bringing all forms of art together,” DiFranco said. “I’m hoping that (after this year) The Main Event will have an even larger following, and I can bring more artists together (in the future).”
GVSU’s hip-hop dance team Move 2 The Beat has performed in several of The Main Event’s showcases, and this gathering was no exception. Each year, the event’s enthusiastic crowd and positive energy motivate the group to drive almost three hours.
“Getting to watch everybody (is) inspiring,” said Jenae Bennett, vice president of Move 2 the Beat. “The energy between everybody is pretty awesome.”
The group performed to a mixtape of four songs, each choreographed by a small selection of students within the club. This gave every member in the performance a chance to showcase unique, artistic movement. On stage, the group’s mutual trust and friendship was apparent, as members moved and interacted with ease. Dancers shared in their expression and training with fluid familiarity as they, quite literally, moved to the beat.
Move 2 the Beat provides students with a passion for dance the opportunity to move together, despite their differing majors and experience levels.
Lily Zevalkink, Move 2 the Beat’s secretary, said the group’s close community compelled her to join.
“I joined my freshman year to make friends and because I love dancing,” Zevalkink said.
Bennett echoed her teammate’s words, saying Move 2 the Beat’s community is what keeps her performing.
“(Dance) is one of my passions, but also this community (Move 2 the Beat),” Bennett said. “Going into it, we’re all really shy, but then we get out of our shells. It’s nice to grow in that confidence together.”
