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Show BY CALLI PETERSON /STAFF WRITER PHOTOS BY LUKE ISLEY eading into summer vacation, eight U ballet dancers will make their way to Budapest, Hungary with the Character Dance Ensemble. They will learn local dances and have the opportunity to perform them. "We were offered to come to the Hungarian Dance Academy to do a workshop and to perform at the end of it;' said Kirsten Kemp, a junior in ballet. "We will also be showing them some of the dances that we've learned': CDE is a club within the ballet department that focuses on character and folk dances. U ballet dancers have the chance to join this club and study more about international dances. "I joined CDE because I think learning the local dances of global cultures is fascinating': said Chloe Holzman, a junior in ballet "Each dance is so stylized and unique:' Every year, the dancers of CDE travel to a different country to learn the local dances, interact with international dancers and perform for the community. In the past, they have journeyed to Spain and Ukraine. "Every time we are invited to go somewhere, usually it comes with a performance opportunity so we can kind of have an experience to take away and to share with the people there what dances we've learned throughout the past," Kemp said. From learning these new, international dances, they are able to gain new ideas to incorporate into their upcoming shows. "It's mostly a learning opportunity' Kemp said. "It's kind of a field trip for us because it is really important that we get to learn a large array of local dances:' Typically, eight dancers participate in this international dance experience. This year, the dancers attending include Kemp, Holzman, Christina Bornhoeft, Sierra Govett, Haleigh Pierce, Jessica Cetrone, Jenny Dzuranin and Talia Johansen. Some CDE dancers even have the opportunity to experience this trip more than once. Holzman is participating with CDE for the second time. "Last year, I traveled with CDE to Zaragoza, Spain to work with a local ballet company as well as a folk dance company' Holzman said. She and the other CDE dancers learned a dance called the Jota and were also able to perform for the local community. "It was one of the best experiences I have ever had," Holzman said. "I was immersed in cultures and traditions I had never seen before:' Culture and traditions are just what CDE hopes to experience again this year. "I'm most excited because this is really an incredible opportunity and very unique for ballet dancers to get to study character dance specifically and also to get to travel and get to learn the local dances of Hungary' Kemp said. "I'm really appreciative of the opportunity, and I'm really looking forward to learn 1111111 ET A 1111111 UTAH DANCERS TRAVELING TO HUNGARY 'aA WRA L Vampire Mockumentary, "What We Do in the Shadows," has all the best comedic elements WITH STEVE STAFSHOLT /STAFF WRITER ii W hat We Do in the 'OP • dIr . It r 4 Ord Dr"4 . cy 11 I from the local dancers' Kemp, Holzman and other CDE dancers will head off to Hungary on May 9 and stay until May 17. "I am most excited to see what new experiences Hungary has in store for us': Holzman said. "We will be performing for the local university and will also get the chance to interact with members of the community every day." c.peterson@chronicle.utah.edu @ChronyArts Shadows" is a horror mockumentary about four vampires living in modern-day Wellington, New Zealand. Quirky characters and a hysterical script make this the best comedy I have seen in ages. Between choosing an outfit without being able to see their reflection, getting bouncers to invite them into clubs, preventing gallons of blood from getting all over the furniture and trying to get their undead flatmates to do their chores, this film shows just how hard life is for these modern-day vampires. Starring in the film is comedic duo Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi from "Flight of the Conchords." Clement plays Vladislav the Poker, a washed-up medieval terror who delights in torture and hypnosis, and Waititi plays Viago, an 18th century dandy whose shameless flamboyance earns many a laugh. These comedic veterans also co-wrote and directed the film, giving it a familiar air of silliness and charm that their fans will immediately recognize. Jonathan Brugh (Deacon) and Cori Gonzalez-Macuer (Nick) also bring their A-game to the film, pairing well with the comedic styles of their fellow stars. Deacon is the bad boy of the group, never paying rent or doing chores, and Nick is the new recruit who has trouble assimilating but also serves as the bridge between these ancient horrors and the modern world. Pairing the right proportions of slapstick and witty writing, this film's gags never flop. What's more, the occasional smattering of sentimental moments round out this film's emotional range. Comedy, tragedy, erotic dancing — this film has it all. "What We Do in the Shadows" has a penchant for montages, often incorporating outlandish historical drawings of vampires. For how often they're used, ■I these montages are consistently hilarious and the novelty never fades. The film's set and costume design are perfect. The vampires' flat epitomizes the dilapidated house-of-horrors feel, resplendent with stuffed animals, water-stained walls, phonographs and an expansive torture chamber as well as hilarious portraits of the cast. The frills, furs, leather, top hats and turn-of-the-century military jackets the cast don when going out are a constant source of hilarity too. The music fits the light-hearted, if spooky, tone of the film with a brisk, gypsy-esque soundtrack. All of the songs are vampire or blood-themed, which is a nice detail. "What We Do in the Shadows" is the kind of off-the-wall B-movie that is far too scarce in modern cinema. The film's genuine light-hearted mood, exceptional acting and hilarious writing conspire to make the kind of film that few audiences can watch without leavi ing as a fan. I highly recommend this film to anyone looking for a good belly laugh. Catch it at Tower Theatre whilA you still can. s.stafsholt@chronicle.utah.edu @ChronyArts - 8 { THECHRONY I NEWS I OPINION I ARTS I SPORTS I FRIDAY, APRIL 10, 2015 } 9M1 9 |