Dance Scene
'Burning Ambition' for dance

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Editor

Choreographers for the "Burning Ambition" concert are, kneeling from left, Dora Teraoka, U'ri Kim, R'yn Sabado and Alicia Vela-Bailey; and standing, rear, from left, Mark Kanemura, Tammy Hunter, Laurel Thomson, Orlando Ortega, Amanda Chong-Tim, Cara Horibe and Jay Jay Queja. 'Burning Ambition' 8 p.m. today, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday Ronald E. Bright Theatre, Castle High School $12 ($10 advance); No credit cards 235-5141 Part of the proceeds of the programs benefit Sept. 11 fund

As a former student and now a prime mover of 24/VII, and its related Danceforce ensembles, Sabado, now 25 and a full-time dancer for only eight years, said dancing can make a difference. All you need is desire — and burning ambition.

And "Burning Ambition" happens to be the theme of a 24/VII program tonight through Sunday at the Ronald E. Bright Theatre at Castle High School.

"We tell all of the kids who come to our classes that if they want to make dance a career, no one can tell them they're not good enough," Sabado said. "A lot of those dancers with the least amount of talent often come out the best, because they have the ambition, the drive, the desire. In my own case, I started out late, while in school, and everybody was better than me. So I had to push myself."

At Danceforce classes, Sabado said students often explore their own styles in an environment of free expression. "We stress dancing from the heart and soul," he said.

The 200-member cast ranges from grade-school youngsters to adults, all with a spirit of fun and exploration.

Sabado is staging five numbers, including one solo piece.

With Marcelo Pacleb, who founded 24/VII three years before Sabado became a member, Sabado is co-producing the weekend shows.

The program taps into hip-hop, lyrical, modern and street dancing. Participating ensembles are the award-winning 24/VII Danceforce Companies, Danceforce Studio, Castle Danceforce, Pearl City Danceforce and Drill Team Hawai'i, with choreography by Sabado, Pacleb, Tammy Hunter, U'ri Kim, Dora Teraoka, Alicia Vela-Bailey, Mark Kanemura, Laurel Thomson, Orlando Ortega, Amanda Chong-Tim, Cara Horibe, Jay Jay Queja and Brent Koki.

Sabado, who has performed on Britney Spears' music video and has danced with Jennifer Lopez, said Danceforcers who compete (the company has won a lion's share of laurels) ultimately become better troupers. "It's not about awards and money but a lot to do with discipline — you push yourself in competition and that's what brings the calibre up so high."