Louisiana and its “Connections” were celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 4. by the members of the Moxie Dance Project. Presented by the Southeastern department of fine and performing arts, this bi-annual dance recital featured highly interpretive and abstract dance styles.

“Each piece concerns aspects of our connections to people and places and the way those connections shape and direct our lives,” said dance coordinator Dana Brewer-Plazinic in an Oct. 28 Public Information press release. “The connections are spiritual, geographical or personal. Some are positive, some negative, but each has made us who we are and influences our path.”

Directed by Brewer-Plazinic, the recital featured guest choreographers, including alumnus LaDazha Moll-Ford.

The dance pieces included titles such as “Moment in Time,” a structured improvisational piece, “Broken Apart” and “3025 William Tell,” which was selected to be presented at the American College Dance Festival in spring 2011.

Throughout the show, many emotions were portrayed in the dance movements, which were left up to private interpretation by the audience.

“They were fluid, they were all over the place,” said freshman social studies education major Micah Turner. “I kind of wanted to go up there with them.”

The last piece for the evening was titled “Louisiana – A Treasure,” which included references to the gradual loss of natural resources caused by the BP Oil Spill. The performance was enhanced with live instrumentals, and video footage of the dancers performing at the Turtle Cove Environmental Research Facility and Fontainebleau State Park located in Mandeville.

“It just represented Louisiana, from crawfish to bayous, and the music,” said Farron Dunlap Seal, sister to dancer Raven Dunlap. “It represented what we’re going through now.”

According to Brewer-Plazinic, the piece revolved around the allure of Louisiana and how people are drawn to the state, never wanting to leave.

“They represented the theme of Louisiana quite figuratively,” said sophomore graphic design major Hayden Neubig. “Through their movements in dance, they were able to convey the message.”