Nostalgia, With Strut at CalArts

Nostalgia might sometimes be considered uncool, but there was nothing uncool about “Then and Now,” CalArts Dance Ensemble’s “20th Anniversary Alumni Celebration” on Thursday. Held on campus at Walt Disney Modular Theatre, the seven-piece program was a kaleidoscopic view of high-octane talent, in which illustrious alumni--returning mostly as choreographers--and currently enrolled dance students strutted some seriously hip and engaging stuff.

Doug Ridgeway’s three-tiered stage proved perfect for the night’s works, especially choreographer Frit Fuller’s “Pale Forest.” An urban landscape for 14 performers, this high-concept piece, set to a techno track, featured briefcase-toters, uniformed schoolgirls and bench-sitters who slid, crawled and gyrated with major attitude.

Also big on moxie: Sam Piperato’s “Those Were the Days,” a gender-bending, cabaret-style sextet wherein three of six women were dressed as men, the whimsical couples bouncing jauntily as well as indulging in a bit of butt-grabbing.

Beth Brody’s successful two-part “Seashore” also featured six women, this time in a new-agey opening, with undulating arms and fluid unisons recalling anemones. Part II, a strict, classical pas de deux, was striking for Fontella Boone’s Saran Wrap-like unitards.

Formidable solos included: “Dean,” choreographed by Irene Hultman and Jamie Bishton, with a flashy Bishton leaping and spinning to the croonings of Dean Martin. “Here I Am,” another Hultman work, saw Allison Westfall in saucy mode, while Morgan Williams performed her “Summertime,” an elegant paean to the Gershwin tune. Dereque Whiturs displayed awesome technique in his nearly nude “Running,” moving from splits and one-armed break-dancing to yogic balancing.

All in all, a solid billboard for the CalArts dance department.

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“Then and Now,” at Modular Theatre, CalArts campus, 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia. Tonight, 8. $2 to $10. (661) 253-7800.