The annual Dancing in the Landscape kicked off Family Weekend Sept. 25. The event featured four performances across Elon’s Global Neighborhood.

Assistant professor of dance and artistic director for Dancing in the Landscape Jasmine Powell says the performance is memorable because it takes place outside and in a different location each year.

Powell hopes that through watching the performance, attendees can feel more present.

“We live in a very fast, forward-moving society, and nature has a way of slowing us down and letting us breathe and letting us exhale,” Powell said. 

Powell also hopes students and parents can experience a new dance environment. The first dance started outside of the Global E residence hall, moved outside Gill residence hall for the second performance, and the last two performances took place at the volleyball and basketball courts behind Jackson Hall. 

“I think the biggest takeaway for students is that we are often conditioned to see dance on a stage,” Powell said. “We want the shiny lights. We want the camera action.
We want the blackouts. And we want the audience to always be in one spot. That's what we're used to growing up in the dance world.” 

Senior dancer Noelle Drummonds says the performance, featuring only freshmen,  is her favorite because watching the connection reminds her of her first performance at Elon. 

“I feel like that collaborative environment that you get between the faculty members and the students with choreography is absolutely incredible here at Elon,” Drummonds said.  “I feel like professor Powell really shines through that with her work.”

Drummonds said that the performances can also introduce families to Elon’s community aspect.

“We are still a very powerful community, even though we kind of have our small town surrounding us,” Drummonds said.  “So I think that's a very powerful message.”

Freshman Jamie Bolash said she first heard about the performance when she came to campus and was immediately drawn to it. 

“I feel like it's a really good way to just kick off the year of performing arts with something that's much different,” Bolash said.

Bolash said the setting of Dancing on the Landscape is what makes it unique.

“I think it's a really cool experience for people to see dance, not in a theater setting or in a competitive setting,” Bolash said. “I hope people get out of this is that the arts can happen anywhere.”

Dancing on the Landscape spans two days and takes place at a different outdoor location each year.