Find the English version here. Traducido por Sophia Neal. Son casi las 12 de la mañana en Cal Poly, pero en los muelles de carga del Centro de Artes Escénicas (PAC), la música no se ha detenido. Illuminate, la muestra de danza más grande dirigida por estudiantes en Cal Poly, organizada por el equipo de danza United Movement, reúne a decenas de artistas que representan diversas culturas en dos espectáculos en el escenario del PAC. Mientras el público ve una producción pulida, la presentación está […]
Category: Illuminate 2026
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In photos: Illuminate 2026
Quiet hums, flashes from digital cameras and quick footwork filled the backstage moments before dances came alive at Illuminate 2026. Dancers arrived at the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo early the morning of Feb. 21 to get ready in the dressing rooms. Performers touched up their braids, put on their costumes and shared excited […]
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Behind the scenes of United Movement’s production and preparation for Illuminate 2026
It’s nearly midnight at Cal Poly, but at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) loading docks, the music hasn’t stopped. Illuminate, Cal Poly’s largest student-run dance showcase hosted by the dance team, United Movement, brings together dozens of performers representing diverse cultures for two shows on the PAC stage. While audiences see a polished production, the […]
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Cal Poly Salsa Club: An inclusive space for all dancing levels
Located on campus in Building 5, room 225, many students are taking on a new hobby and immersing themselves in the art of salsa dancing. Biochemistry sophomore Emma De La Torre followed her roommate to the Cal Poly Salsa Club for the first time. “Three hours basically went by, like water,” she said. “It was […]
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Dance and determination: Inside United Movement’s intense ‘Hell Week’
As temperatures sink into the low 40’s mid-February, San Luis Obispo becomes a ghost town, with students and locals alike relishing in the luxury known as centralized heating. However, in the University Union Plaza, the steady thump of bass and synchronized footsteps wore on and on, with the echoes lasting until the early morning hours. […]
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I did ‘Lose my Breath’ watching Illuminate this year
It’s rare to see jazz, hiphop, Chinese lion dance, Mexican folk dance and ballroom all on the same stage within the span of a single show. Cal Poly students, families and community members were lucky to experience exactly that at Illuminate this past Saturday.
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Behind the Rehearsals: Trăm Phần Trăm brings Vietnamese fan dance to Illuminate
Trăm Phần Trăm, a student-run Vietnamese culture club at Cal Poly, performed a traditional fan dance at the Illuminate showcase, reflecting their commitment to celebrating Vietnamese culture and building community on campus.
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Inside Illuminate: Cal Poly’s annual celebration of culture and dance
Illuminate returned to Cal Poly’s Performing Arts Center, bringing together cultural clubs and dance organizations from across campus to share cultural heritage and creative expression in a high-energy student-run dance showcase.
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Behind the rehearsals: Hmong Student Association makes Illuminate debut at Cal Poly
Cal Poly’s Hmong Student Association is performing a traditional Hmong dance with Thai influences at the Illuminate stage, hoping to bring awareness to Hmong culture on campus.
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Behind the rehearsals: Ballroom Dance gets ready to dance across the stage at Illuminate
The Cal Poly Ballroom Dance Team has been preparing for their Illuminate performance for months, blending technical ballroom figures with theatrical elements to create a unique showcase.
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Behind the rehearsals: SLO Breakers prepare to take center stage at Illuminate
Cal Poly’s SLO Breakers are in the final stretch of rehearsals for the annual campus showcase, Illuminate, hoping to challenge misconceptions about breaking and inspire the audience with their unique blend of structured choreography and improvisation.