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Paulie Bleeker or Nick Twisp? An Focal explores the many faces of Indie Movie Man Michael Cera. More on page 17. 18th October 2011
Issue 4 FREE Volume XX
Dance UL and drag act Connie Liebe sends audience wild Karen O’Connor Desmond
THROUGH dimmed lights, the Dolan’s Warehouse audience watched in fascination as an elegant figure, dressed solely in black, sauntered onto the stage. Straddling a chair with her back to the crowd, eight members of Dance UL fell effortlessly into their starting positions around her. Three more members immersed themselves in the audience, using chairs placed strategically in front of the stage as props. The audience began to hoot and shout excitedly, edging closer and closer to the front, whipping out cameras in anticipation of what was to come. The haunting tones of “El Tango de Roxanne” from ‘Moulin Rouge’ filled the room and so began the spectacular drag act performance by Miss Connie Liebe. The performance was all part of the event “Le Disko Bloodbath”, which saw a series of drag acts taking to the stage and performing various pieces. Although Dance UL and Liebe’s act was sixth, it was evident from the audience’s reaction alone that it was well worth the wait. The dance routine was choreographed by Dance UL president, Rachel Horkan along with Liebe herself. Having rehearsed for two weeks previously, the Gothic themed performance was intricately put together. Costumes and make-up played a vital role in creating a dark ambiance. All members of Dance UL wore fleshbearing black lace outfits with Liebe sporting an above-the-knee black dress and heels. The dancer’s make-up consisted of chalk-white faces with heavy black lips and eyes; Liebe’s was slightly more subdued with red and black lipstick and carefully black lined eyes. As Liebe straddled the chair, the dancer’s began to move seductively around the stage.
After turning to face the audience and discarding the chair, the dancer’s then proceeded to interact with her, and then with each other in pairs . The five minute long act certainly got the response Dance UL and Liebe was looking for. The dark and sultry nature of it obviously enticed the crowd as they continuously roared praise and applauded throughout the performance. Half way through, the dancers left the stage briefly in which time Miss Liebe expressed her new-found freedom. However, she was soon being mauled
“The five minute long act certainly got the response Dance UL and Liebe was looking for.” by the dancers as she lay on the floor, struggling to break away. Miss Liebe described the dancers as representing “sexual beings”, with the act involving an intense build up to what is ultimately sexual domination of herself. The performance ended to ear-splitting applause and shouts of approval, with a member of the audience commenting: “It was a long wait but it was definitely worth it. It’s something I’ve never experienced before and something I won’t forget.”
Dance UL excite at Dolans