Awaaz - November 8th & 9th, 2013
Back to the familiar dressing rooms of Page Auditorium and the familiar cheers of "Let's Go Duke" from the friendly crowd, Dhamaka put on a show for all 1200 members of the Awaaz audience. With one of Dhamaka's own, Pranava Raparla, emceeing the show (continuing the streak of over 5 straight years of a Dhamaka emcee), it was a hectic weekend for all 18 dancing members, but out of the chaos emerged one of Duke's best performances yet. Using AKD as a dress-rehearsal of sorts for Awaaz, all 12 competition dancers came in prepared, and the alternates had clearly been practicing long and hard for this day. Again establishing Dhamaka at the forefront of Duke Dance, the team was proud to be the Maharajas of the night.
Aaj Ka Dhamaka (Competition) - November 2nd, 2013
Back performing for a North Carolina crowd just 8 miles down Tobacco Road, Duke Dhamaka competed for the first time of the season at AKD 2013. Rocking the new vardiyaan for the first time as well, Dhamaka looked fresh as ever. Although the judges shut the two bhangra teams out of the placings (VCU Bhangra & Duke), the team had a great time, and performing on stage did much to develop the younger dancers. Praying that AKD and Awaaz are again on different dates next year, Dhamaka is so excited to return and take home first place.
Homecoming 2013 - September 27th, 2013
Duke basketball players always speak about their time in Cameron as their happy place, or the time they feel most comfortable and supported by the Duke community. Homecoming is just that for Dhamaka. With a huge, in-you-face crowd of supporters, alumni and enthusiasts alike, the dancers never feel more excited to be putting on a show. Moving to one of the earlier time slots in this year's show, Dhamaka got the party started, hailing a huge crowd despite performing during the prime pre-gaming time for Duke students.
Duke Dance Council Showcase - August 29th, 2013
For the second straight year, Dhamaka's dance season began in Page Auditorium for the Dance Council Showcase, recruiting new members for the upcoming semester. Dancing in front of passionate freshmen is always a great time, but this performance turned out to be exceptionally meaningful and productive. It was Aman Kansal & Kurren Mehta's (abroad) first performance as captains of Dhamaka, and from it, Dhamaka introduced one of its largest incoming classes to date. Dhamaka once again established itself as one of the pillars of Duke Dance, and used this performance as a spring board for what is to come in the 2013-2014 school year. Check out the video of the performance here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iODh-jnQUps