Members of Tap Out Loud perform Burning Love.
DanceFest 2026 took off with a bang as the threenight showcase completely sold out its first two nights of performances in the Weber Theatre on Valentine’s weekend.
The show titled “Unleashed” included Wheaton-affiliated dance teams Tap Out Loud, Kaos, Paraíso Latino, Trybe, and a guest performance from SOLE. DanceFest’s annual goal is to showcase the months of practice and effort that members of several teams have been involved in.
Each team created its own lineup of songs, resulting in an incredibly diverse range of performances spanning R&B, hip-hop, K-pop, and Latin music, for everyone to enjoy.
This diversity of music reflects not only Wheaton’s demographics but also the world’s diversity and the Wheaton community’s dedication to various cultures. This allows the audience and dancers to connect with the teams and music presented, as well as discover new musical hits.
Lots of work goes into every dance the teams perform and choreograph. Countless practices and countless long nights form highly polished showcases like the ones DanceFest featured. This dedication and teamwork create a tight-knit community that dancers can not only collaborate in but also feel as if they can each express themselves and act as a close-knit group. Many of the participating dancers feel this way, including Heidi Ricker ’28, a dance captain of Kaos, who said that joining a dance team is a “form of community that’s unique on campus that you can’t really find elsewhere.”
“It was a sigh of relief seeing everything come together,” Ricker said, “that not only Kaos, but other teams have worked for.”
However, the work isn’t just in practicing or choreographing the dances. It also involved the labor in creating specialized lighting patterns, creating an entirely unique atmosphere every dance with the help of staff, faculty, and student-workers.
With every performance came a surprise: not only were the songs completely tailored to the unique show, but much of the choreography and light arrangements were created by the teams, adding to the one-of-a-kind atmosphere the show presented to the audience. Strobe lights added an essential mood to songs like Ifeye’s “r u ok?” performed by Kaos, and Brodha V’s “Aigiri Nandini” performed by Trybe.
Composed as a two-act show, Tap Out Loud opened each night with a version of “Greed” by Fall Out Boy’s lead singer, Patrick Stump. Next was Kaos’s performance of “Supersonic” by fromis_9. Trybe followed after, with a compilation of “My House” by Beyoncé, “Bark Like You Want It” by Sir Mix-A-Lot, and both “Not Like Us” and “TV Off” by Kendrick Lamar. Paraíso also joined with “MAFIOSA” by Nathy Peluso.
Tap Out Loud returned for their second song, Elvis Presley’s classic hit “Burning Love.”
Following Tap, Kaos danced to “Walk” by South Korean boy band NCT 127, a song that focuses on lyrics and bass-heavy beats with an overall swag-like vibe.
Tap returned to the stage after tapping to “Tous Les Memes” by Belgian artist Stromae that features a vintage backtrack and is sung entirely in French.
Trybe came on stage with “Jealousy”, by South African artists Khalil Harrison and Tyler ICU, a song featuring synth tracks and is almost entirely in Zulu, a Southern Bantu language, aside from the repetition of the word “jealousy” being said in English.
Kaos’s third song was “Little Miss” by multinational group GIRLSET, an anthem to girlhood and being impossible to figure out.
Expression continued as Paraíso performed to Juan Luis Guerra’s “El Farolito”, combining their classic style with the merengue.
The last four dances (by teams that had previously performed) of the first half were “Science Student”, by Nigerian rapper Olamide performed by Trybe; Kaos, with “ICONIC”, by South Korean K-pop group xikers; Paraíso with “Acompanha O Grave,” by MC Lele and Brazilian funk artist MC Maromba; and finally, a mix of several songs, including “Voaste”, “Ra-Havana”, “Bogle”, and “Fling It Up (ft. Davido)” by artists Lala Njava, Andakozia, Buju Banton, and Machel Montando, respectively, performed by Trybe.
Before intermission, SOLE, Wheaton’s step team—focused on blending African culture with alternative dance to create sound that appeals to all ears—took the stage and displayed four pieces in their feature: “TORE UP”, by Don Toliver; “MOVE!”, “Hold up!” and “SOULE” highlight well-timed and precise choreography.
With minimal music used in their segment, every step mattered. “To practice for big events like that, we run through our routines until we sound like at MOST two to three people stepping,” Vidianie Ceneus ’28 said, confiding in her teammates. “Since there are 18 of us, it’s not meant to be easy, but we never give up on each other.”
The showcase was not without noise, applause, and even a whistle from the audience at one point. When the audience wasn’t absolutely electric, the dancers were cheering each other on from the wings of Weber Theatre. “One thing I think everyone who went to the show can agree on is that everyone who performed at DanceFest absolutely DEVOURED their routines, and I just loved cheering each team on. We were all like cheerleaders for one another. It was so cute.” Ceneus said.
As the showcase wrapped up, Trybe performed a dance to “Dismissed” by Destiny’s Child, offering an exciting, enthralling performance. Tap followed, performing to the upbeat, emotional “Send Me On My Way” as they offered a tribute to their seniors and sent them on their way.
The penultimate song of the night was “MANSAE”, performed by Kaos.
And lastly, the final performance of the night was titled El FiNaL, consisting of a mashup of several Bad Bunny songs. While dancing, childhood photos of the members appeared on the screen behind them.
“Don’t be afraid to audition for dance teams! Being on a team of any sort is like having another family away from home.” Myrsa Priston ’28 said, highlighting the importance of joining and supporting dance teams.
While it may seem like a showcase of this magnitude would be their final act, teams have at least one more upcoming full-blown showcase! For further information regarding other showcases from Wheaton’s incredible dance teams, please check out each team’s individual Engage page or Instagram.