Fordham University has talent in every crevice of its campus, and it is always a treat when our performance-based clubs decide to put that talent on display for our enjoyment. However, since there are so many clubs on campus putting on performances in all different places, I’ll map out where and when you can find good Ram entertainment.
Firstly, don’t be surprised if on a random weekday, in the first month of your freshman year, you’re hit with the sound of a collegiate a cappella while walking out of the newly re-renovated McShane Campus Center. You should expect it actually.
The annual Keating Steps event takes place in September, with Fordham’s performance clubs displaying song and dance numbers on the steps of the iconic Verizon-commercial-approved Keating Hall, overlooking Edward’s Parade. When you hear this, take a seat on Eddie’s and relish in the first stop on the list of the semester’s performances.
During Keating Steps you’ll hear a capella from various groups, including Satin Dolls, Fordham’s all-female and femme group who placed in this year’s International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella; b-Sides, the oldest co-ed group; Ramblers, Fordham’s all-male group and go-to’s for Valentine’s Day serenades (or “Ramblergrams”); and last, but not least, the Hot Notes, our jazz-fusion group who released their album, “An Evening With the Hot Notes,” this month.
All four groups get together again in the latter half of the school year during a “spring teaser” for their separate spring recitals. Both the teaser show and recitals often take place in the Fordham Preparatory Theater or Keating First Auditorium.
Not only will you hear singing during Keating Steps, but you’ll see dancing of all kinds. The event features Sláinte, our Irish dance team; Jetés, Fordham’s ballet club; and Flava, the hip hop dance crew.
This spring, Flava hosted their semester-end showcase titled “Class Is In Session” in the Rose Hill Gymnasium. At points throughout the year, usually in the first month and during Spring Weekend, Flava does a surprise flash mob in the Marketplace. Before the dining hall closes for construction, make sure you invite a new friend for dinner and hopefully you’ll catch the performance!
In the spring of 2023, Sláinte competed in the Collegiate Irish Dance Association’s National Competition and brought their high energy back to Rose Hill in their annual recital entitled “Irish Night,” held in McShane Ballroom.
Every November, the Jetés perform “The Nutcracker” as a sweet welcome to the winter season. They perform a different show every spring, with the upcoming 2024 spring performance being “Peter Pan.” Both of their annual performances take place in Collins Auditorium, and Friday classes that all are welcome to attend (with or without previous ballet experience) are from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Keating B23.
There are many talented dance groups who don’t perform at Keating Steps.
Candela Latina is our Latinx dance group. During halftime at several Fordham Men’s Basketball games throughout the spring semester, Candela can be found showcasing their skills. Expressions Dance Alliance, the contemporary dance group, is holding auditions on Sept. 1. In the spring of 2023, Expressions held their recital “Reverie” in Collins.
Fordham Falak is the Bollywood fusion dance team. Falak won third place in the 2022 Annual Naach Inferno Competition. Also, the team holds workshops throughout the semester for any students interested in learning or improving in this style.
Lastly, Dance Co-op is the all-inclusive dance team for anyone who shares a passion for dance. The co-op holds workshops in Keating B23 and held their spring showcase, “Netflix Part II,” in Fordham’s Preparatory Theater.
Now, we move to Collins Hall, the home of several theater groups and so close to the freshman dorms that you don’t have an excuse not to attend!
The Mimes and Mummers, Fordham’s mainstage theater group, performs one show per semester. Last fall, the Mimes put on the hilarious “Urinetown: The Musical” and in the spring, the emotional, stripped down “The Laramie Project.” If you’re interested in joining, auditions for their fall show, “Legally Blonde,” are on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 in Collins Auditorium.
The Theatrical Outreach Program (TOP) promotes classic and educational theater at Fordham and its members put on one performance per semester.
In the fall of 2022, TOP put on “Little Women” in an intimate performance. During the performance, the audience sat in rows on the Collins Auditorium stage, which made them feel as if they were a part of the story. TOP strives to not only entertain, but immerse.
The Fordham Experimental Theater (FET) group hosts original productions by students every weekend with free admission. The shows are in the Black Box Theater, which can be easily found by going up the stone stairs behind Collins Hall.
FET is a host for originality at Fordham and offers opportunities for students to stretch their creative muscles, as they are a completely student-run group.
Enjoying a club’s performance is one of my favorite ways to spend time on campus, and by following the groups on Instagram, I always know when and where I can find a performance.
Despite being in New York, you never have to go far from Fordham to find quality entertainment; it’s all over the Rose Hill map.
