By Lee Yi Ning Megan (27A01B) and Tran My Linh (27A01B)

All photos courtesy of Raffles Art and Photographic Society

From nostalgic 2000s hits to energetic Bollywood numbers, Raffles Street Dance’s (RSD) latest showcase, Timeless: A Journey Through the Eras of Dance, proved that dance transcends generations.

Held on 6 May at the Performing Arts Centre (PAC), the showcase brought audiences through different musical and dance eras from the 1980s to the present day, blending genres, styles and cultures into one cohesive performance. Inspired partly by the concept of different “eras” popularised by Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, the idea for the showcase emerged spontaneously during a practice break.

What began as a casual conversation gradually evolved into a full-fledged exploration of how dance styles and music have transformed over time. For the RSD Exco, the theme Timeless also reflected a broader cultural nostalgia.

“A lot of old songs are coming back,” Riddhi Pradhan (26S06C), Secretary of RSD explained. “People are yearning for the 2010s and the 2000s, and I think our CCA shares that same feeling. We enjoy both old music and new music, and we wanted a theme that could cohesively bring all these songs and styles together.”

Rather than restricting themselves to a single genre or aesthetic, the dancers embraced the diversity of street dance across decades. Each item was carefully crafted to embody the identity of a particular era while ensuring it still flowed naturally into the overall programme.

At the same time, the showcase also aimed to broaden audiences’ understanding of street dance itself.

“A lot of people don’t really know what street dance is,” Mia Lin Walker-Smith (26S03H), one of the showcase ICs noted. “But street dance is really about expression and emotion. It’s about bringing out the vibe and energy of the era through movement.”

However, the road to the showcase was not without setbacks.

Just two days before the concert, the team learnt that one of their Year 6 dancers would no longer be able to perform due to medical reasons. The dancer had been heavily involved in four separate items, making his sudden absence both emotionally devastating and logistically difficult.

“The whole showcase was supposed to be our final performance together before stepping down,” Juliet Lee (26S03L), another one of the showcase ICs said. “So it really impacted all of us.”

The team was forced to rework formations and choreography at the last minute, especially for smaller items where the missing gap on stage was highly noticeable.

“On that day, I cried,” Juliet admitted. “I think everyone cried.”

Yet amid the stress and disappointment, the dancers rallied together to adapt quickly.

“We had a mindset of, whatever happened has already happened,” they reflected. “We can’t change what happened, but we can change how we react to it.”

The team reframed the challenge positively, redistributing centre positions and ensuring every dancer still had a chance to shine on stage. Through teamwork and mutual support, they managed to pull the showcase together in time.

A Burst of Bollywood Energy

One standout performance of the night was Challo, a vibrant Bollywood-inspired item choreographed by Shruthi Sendhil Annamalai (26S06K) and Dhanmathi Pugalendhi (26S03O). With a blend of expressive Indian dance hand gestures with the upbeat dynamism of street dance, the piece stood out to us for its infectious energy and theatrical flair.

Set to iconic songs such as Sheila Ki Jawani and Challo, the performance recreated the exuberance of Bollywood cinema on stage. Midway through the piece, a male dancer dramatically entered as the “hero” figure, a nod to the classic hero-heroine dynamic central to many Bollywood musical sequences.

“For Bollywood, energy is the most important thing,” one of the choreographers, Shruthi shared. “Even if the steps aren’t perfectly clean, what matters most is how much fun you have on stage.”

Although both choreographers had prior experience in Indian classical dance, teaching the style to dancers unfamiliar with Bollywood presented its own challenges.

“It wasn’t difficult choreographing,” Shruthi explained, “but it took time for the dancers to really immerse themselves in the style and vibe with the music first. We simplified some moves and focused a lot on helping them connect emotionally with the songs.”

That connection ultimately became the heart of the performance. Despite featuring only six dancers, Challo successfully recreated the lively atmosphere of large-scale Bollywood dance numbers through sheer enthusiasm and chemistry.

Hip-hop Enters the Mainstream 

The 2000s was a special era for hip-hop. For one, the hip-hop scene witnessed the creation of gargantuan party moves that took the stage, both physically and online. It is therefore no surprise that the songs of this era are distinctly characterised by experimental drum patterns, catchy melodies, and a driving tempo perfectly suited for dance and club mixing. Such musical elements can be seen reflected in the choice of songs found in Gold School, choreographed by Nephele Sharon Anthony (26S03Q), Juliet Lee (26S03L), and Jotham Tan (26S03C). 

The performance opened with “The Real Slim Shady”, the very diss track that propelled Eminem – arguably the biggest cultural icon of the era – from an underground rapper to a global megastar. What soon transitioned after was “Take It To The Floor” by B2K, another standout club and dance-battle staple from the 2000s. Topping off the performance was “Breathe In Breathe Out” by Mat Kearney. Although not all of the audience may have been born when these tracks were released,  the familiar melodies, paired with the captivating moves of our fellow RSD members, certainly left a lasting impression on everyone in the crowd. 

Just Keep Watching

Soon enough, things took a much more captivating turn. Shades of magenta light hit the stage. “Just Keep Watching” by Tate McRae blasted out loud. Beat by beat, each move encapsulated the very essence of Girls’ Style: controlled lines, fluid movements and sensual floorwork. With the popular EDM, funk pop track and explosive choreography, the dancers have successfully rendered the audience speechless. 

Halfway through, a sensual shade of maroon lit up the stage; the sound track had changed. What transitioned was “Abracadabra”, a dance-pop all-time hit by the queen of pop Lady Gaga. Cartwheel, standing splits, waacking — the dancers had pulled all their stunt cards for the track. A seamless combination of level variations, controlled arm movements and creative use of stage geometry, it was no wonder the audience could not help but keep watching. 

When The Party’s Over…

In stark contrast to the high-energy performances that preceded it, Afterparty showcased a more introspective and emotional side of dance. Set to a medley of songs by Billie Eilish, including “when the party’s over,” “ocean eyes,” and “lovely”, the item marked a significant shift in mood and pacing. 

Drawing heavily on contemporary influences, the performance traded explosive choreography for fluid movements and emotional storytelling. The slower tempo allowed dancers to explore themes of vulnerability and reflection, creating a poignant moment within the showcase. Through expressive movement and carefully crafted formations, Afterparty invited audiences to pause and connect with the emotions behind the music.

The Finale 

As the showcase reached its end, all RSD members rejoined the stage one last time. This time, they gave all their energy to this final performance. The stage curtains opened,  the dancers got in position, and the track “Like Jennie” hit off. Energy blasted off on stage, with dynamic and explosive movements accompanying the Afrobeats blended within the track. 

Halfway through, a remix of “WHERE IS MY HUSBAND!” played, further hyping up the crowd. The choice of recent trending songs reflected a message that just like music, dance is constantly evolving, honouring the foundations of dance while building onto the creativity for the future. 

And just like that, the 2-minute finale came to an end, wrapping up showcase Timeless: A journey through the Eras of Dance. 

The Final Bow

If there’s anything that RSD Chairperson, Meshana Rakesh Venkatesen (26S03E) wants the audience to take away from the showcase, it would be a clearer understanding of what distinguishes street dance from other genres, as well as how it has evolved culturally through the different eras. As a fellow Y6 who has reached the end of her RSD journey, she expressed the sense of bittersweetness going into the showcase, as “it’s the [Y6s] last time sharing the stage”. She shared that: 

As the spotlights dimmed, the stage curtains closed and the houselights brightened, the audience rushed out of the PAC, eagerly waiting for performers to come out, clutching flowers to be presented to them, congratulations to be given and pictures to be taken. Even as the night drew to a close, the energy of the showcase lingered in the air. 

Through every movement, expression and powerful routine, we, the writers, can confidently say that the performers had succeeded in delivering an electrifying performance that left a lasting impression with the audience long after the final bow. Once again, Raffles Press would like to congratulate Raffles Street Dance on another successful year of dance showcase.