I had tickets to The Book Of Mormon last November, and The Royal Ballet: Giselle the previous May but both captivating displays of dance were unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic. Luckily, I have been somewhat compensated for my loss in the form of our favourite society hacks – who can definitely dance – battling it out on Instagram reels. That’s right, DU Dance’s “Trinity’s Best Dance Crew” has returned!
Round One
Jumping in head first was DU Clinical Therapies (don’t worry I had never heard of them either, and I study physiotherapy) versus DU Ladies Boat Club (DULBC). To be honest, being up against the sisterhood of the travelling erg that is DULBC, the clinical therapists didn’t stand a chance. Their rendition of Shakira’s “Waka Waka” left a lot to be desired and wasn’t quite enough to beat DULBC, clad in sailing attire (as if they wear anything else), doing their version of the Macarena. Groundbreaking.
Up next was Suas Trinity versus Trinity Jazz Society. Suas hit us with a rendition of “The Git Down” with some seamless transitions from member to member. Meanwhile, Jazz Soc went for a full TikTok-cum-VSCO-dreamy-quarantine vibe with a dance to “Space Girl” – LED lights and all. Imagine!
Following this, the gals of Trinity Musical Theatre (TMT) came with a theatrical performance of the “Bend and Snap” from hit Broadway show Legally Blonde. Despite their efforts, TMT were met with tough opposition from the multi-talented Trinity Afro-Carribean Society, whose jazzy number to “WTF” by Missy Elliot secured them the win.
In the final group, two of Trinity’s most active societies went head-to-head: the Trinity Vincent de Paul (VDP) panto cast versus DU Players. The panto cast had a boogey to “Jailhouse Rock”, which had all the trademarks of a “dad dance”, but I’m not complaining! In the other corner, one member of the DU Players committee performed an edgy Players-esque number which gained extra points from me for the costume switch-up in the middle. In the end, the panto cast won the vote, putting them through to infinity and beyond (or in reality, round two), leaving Players behind.
Round Two
This is where it got really good. Think, Strictly Come Dancing: The Semi Final.
Back and better than ever was DULBC, this time up against Suas Trinity. DULBC, once again clad in sailing wear, did a bouncy version of Daði Freyr’s “Think About Things”, which almost made up for the cancellation of Eurovision 2020! Suas decided to match the nautical theme and one up DULBC by getting into the actual sea to perform their number. Their valiant efforts, however, were in vain as the ladies of DULBC sailed past them and straight into the final.
The other two societies in the semi-final were Trinity VDP’s panto cast and Trinity Afro-Caribbean Society. The panto cast’s entry looked suspiciously like the dance from Round One again, but to the music of “9-5” by Dolly Parton. Meanwhile, the Afro-Caribbean Society stuck with a solo dancer once again, this time having a bop to an A-star song. Both contenders were neck and neck right until the end, but the panto cast narrowly edged their way into the final.
Round three: The Final
By now, it had been established that the Ladies Boat Club and the cast of the VDP panto have the most friends in Trinity, both making it to the grand final of “Trinity’s Best Dance Crew”.
DULBC submitted a moving piece of interpretive dance, set on a beach. Their movements flowed much like the waves the rowers were dancing near. Trinity VDP entered the classic “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”, which certainly made me wanna dance with them anyway! The performance was wholesome and energetic as always – very on-brand.
While the competition was stiff, I was not hugely surprised when the Trinity VDP panto gang were crowned the winners. Their smiling faces, sense of community and recent theatrical ventures gave them a competitive edge throughout.
So, it may not have been the Bolshoi or Broadway, but Trinity’s Best Dance Crew certainly filled the theatre-shaped void in my life. If you’re interested in watching them back, head over to the DU Dance Instagram (@dudancesoc). Though the competition has ended and the fundraising target has been reached, you can still donate to “Aoibheann’s Pink Tie” – the charity that this competition was all in aid of – through the link in their bio.
