Lizzie Green

Each week, close to 1,200 students take dance classes at Barnard. This abounding interest in dance is supported by a vibrant extracurricular performing arts scene, home to dozens of dance groups ranging in style from tap to contemporary to Bhangra. Out of these organizations, three dedicate their efforts to the ballet form.

As the familiar melody of the Super Mario Bros. 2 soundtrack pierced the soundscape, audience members could not help but erupt in infectious laughter. The juxtaposition of ballet and tunes from the popular video game was as pleasantly surprising as it was choreographically well executed.

The “Hoedown Throwdown” and urban dance are no conventional pairing. Yet, the combination of both on stage contributed to an impressive and heartwarmingly nostalgic performance which filled the Roone Arledge Auditorium with contagious laughter, roaring applause, and joyful sing-alongs.

In a nod to the previous generation, students hold up photos of their parents. They look down at their chosen image, then adopt the same poses as them.

U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and leaders from the Time’s Up movement were among some of the big names who made appearances at Barnard’s ninth annual Athena Film Festival this weekend, joining in conversations regarding the importance of representation and women’s leadership in the film industry.