Hip-hop, up and down they went, over and over and over in bright outfits of pink, orange and gold. Animated faces twisted and turned to the beats of classical guitar, yearning for long lost lovers; this was the opening number of “HotGuitar, Cool Dance.”

A fast, electrifying pace was the feel of the dance production “Hot Guitar, Cool Dance,” choreographed by Dale Scholl, Eric Vianelle and Joseph Candelaria. However, in Scholl’s first choreographed piece, “Sweet Talk,” the dancers took the stage with a ho-hum number. “I thought the first dance was kind of cheesy,” said Rebecca Wright, a first year communication studies student. Wright said that even though the first dance was fluffy, she found the rest of the production to be fun and exciting.

After the first dance number, one may have thought it was time to run for the exit, but then out nowhere, the real dancing began. Images of blue celestial figures flew onto the stage, extending their arms and legs and interweaving them with love, compassion and strength. The title of the dance was “The Loom,” which took the audience to a spirited dream-like place, choreographed by Eric Vianelle.

Purple scarves floated on stage, along with flashlights, giving a very surreal illusion. An illusion of darkness and the only light on stage was the light coming through the purple scarves. At first, it looked somewhat beautiful, but then the flashlight dancing began to make me dizzy, due to all the flashlights going in different directions. Energy in the house rose, as the dancers gave up their romantic blue dream images and jumped right into the hip and energetic dance of “Ripe With Decay.” They took the stage with beautiful pirouettes; pirouettes so high that the dancers looked as if they were flying. The costumes were just as dynamic as the dancers wearing them: red and sexy with the feeling of hotness burning inside of them.

Sassy and red ended the program, with dancers leaping, from one end of the stage to the other in the dance, “Caliente.” The sexy sounds of Santana were churning in the background and the costumes were again burning red, with fiery passion. Artistic Director Dale Scholl put together a very sexy, passionate, and electrifying production. Aside from the first piece, “Sweet Talk,” this performance demonstrates talent in choreography, ballet and jazz. It is definitely worth the experience.

“Each show was independent, I can’t put my finger on the theme, but the dancing and choreography were amazing,” said junior communication studies student, Brian Peterson.”Hot Guitar, Cool Dance” continues March 16 and 17, 23 and 24. All performances are at 8 p.m. in the CSUS Dancespace, located in Solano Hall. Admission prices are $15 general and $12 for students.