Juicy R Makes UCR a Sweeter Place to Be

The F1st Year CHASS Connect: Latin America parade at the University of California Riverside on June 4, 2009 was a successful portrayal of problems we face both at UCR and in the world around us. The student-produced demonstrations, addressed problems that hurt the environment, futures and innocent people in today’s surroundings. Juicy-R, the group in which I was involved recognized the issue of a lack of school spirit and unity on UCR’s campus. Juicy-R, a name appropriate for the dance topic that focused on, spontaneously came about due to pressure from Teacher’s Assistant Ryan Mongelluzo. Fortunately, for our group, our topic was chosen after the decision on a group-- Juicy-R will address the lack of unity and as a result, lack of school spirit at UCR. Our theme was successfully portrayed by each element that went into our performance. Choreography, music, gestures, chants, costumes and props all played a part in getting Juicy-R’s statement clearly across to spectators.
The evident choreography of Juicy-R’s main performance consisted of three different groups that perform different separate dances and eventually come together for one common choreography and song. Choreographers Stephanie Contreras, Melissa Rivera and Axel Santana each lead a group of 4 or 5 Juicy-R members and conducted separate dances to completely distinct musical flavors. Melissa’s group, also known as the “U” group, danced to a Brazilian funk song by group Bonde Do Role. Her choreography consisted of turning hip movements and accompanied arm movements that accentuate attention to the hips. Stephanie’s group, the “C’s”, danced to Soul Bossa Nova by Quincy Jones. Stephanie’s choreography focused on a 60’s feel, with step-hip movements and an up-and-down wave like motion with the arms in unison with the swaying body. Lastly, Axel’s crew, the “R” group danced to a rendition of Africa Dance Machine’s Tchiko Tchicaya, a Congolese cultural dance that evidently portrays the foreign roots of merengue. Following many of the moves in the choreography performed in the music video, the “R’s” dance consisted of hip rolling, arm scoops and a light sway of the arms to follow up with the hips. The finale was choreographed for all groups to dance in unison. To show utmost respect for each segment, the entire group performed moves taken from each group’s dance. Finally, the group freestyles a dance to Kool and the Gang’s Celebration song, a symbol for individuality and diversity.

Many symbolic gestures were performed outside of the actual dances. In the walk on the way to the performance site, U’s, C’s and R’s each conducted a walk of a few choreographed steps at a time—all distinguishing the group letter with the arms over the head. During the actual performance, while on group would perform their piece, the remaining two groups would snicker and make silent gestures of dislike. These specific gestures were implemented to further distinguish the separation and animosity each group has for each other. The gestures at the finale were small, brief renditions of each dance performed by each group and a final freestyle of gestures varying from individual to individual, to show and promote individuality and unity combining to form spirit in the UCR community. The gestures of “U” “C” “R” with the arms over the head to further depict a combination of all three groups to form one massive, diverse group.
Closely tied to the gestures performed, chants mostly went along with the introduction of each group or the actual motions of the performance. For example, as the “C” group dance off stage and the “ R” group steps in, the “R’s” chant, “Can’t U C that we R the best?!”. As a result, Juicy-R’s chants served as a form of introduction of a new group and choreography. A rally call was also used at the finale. The members of Juicy-R shouted, “UC Riverside come on!” over Kool and the Gang’s Celebration. Kool and the Gang’s smash hit was the perfect fit for the “UC Riverside” call because the group wanted to shout a sign of happiness and depict a celebration as a group together.
The costumes were closely tied into the theme of lack of school spirit. We decided to use the letters of UCR to best distinguish differences between groups. Originally the group had been discussing using cultural costumes to depict differences, but along with Ryan, it was decided that non-stereotypical distinctions among groups would be best. Blue paw prints were colored on everyone’s cheek, so as to illustrate a visual unison between U’s, C’s and R’s. Yellow and blue streamers were used at the finale, once the Celebration song came on. It was unanimously decided that the implementation of streamers would allow for the performance to be more impacting on the audience as well as would be a great aid in getting the final point across.

Overall, I feel that Juicy-R’s performance successfully translated the issue of lack of school spirit at UCR. If I had the opportunity to change anything, I would not take any aspect of the performance away. However, I would add a minor maneuver at the end rendition. As all of the letters are united, I would prefer to add a chain-link maneuver between group members, having interlocking between Juicy-R members and a walking in-and-out of the line. Also, in addition, I would add a minor costume detail; I’d like to better distinguish individuality and diversity between members. Instead of having a blue paw print on everyone, I think it would have looked more creative to add other symbols of UCR, such as Scotty the bear or a plaid print of the Highlanders.
Throughout this entire process of creating a parade, I discovered a few qualities about myself that were not evident prior to the project. The dance final was completely different to what I have been used to. This was my very first dance class, and the class genuinely intimidated me, as I did not know what to expect. However, what I took away from the class exceeded even the slightest expectations that I did have. I stumbled upon some qualities about myself that perhaps I would not have known having not taken this class. Many of the people in my group come from an extremely different background than I do. I found that I can mesh well with new ideas and perspectives and can constructively share my own ideas to help points already made. Also, building upon others ideas allows for a creative flow to take place between minds and causes a product of creativity and art. All in all, the project has given me the comfort and confidence to publicly state my ideas and opinions—something that has always been a challenge for me to do.

-Alexandra Pernudi