The Leeward Community College Dance Festival is back.

It's been three years since the last one — maybe that explains the explosion of energy emanating from the campus these days.

"The festival took a back seat for a while," said Stephanie Palombo, a Leeward dance professor, now in her 19th year on the faculty and an organizer of the event.

Forced to take it easy after hip-replacement surgery, Palombo concentrated on teaching while she recovered. She is back on track now, and this year's festival promises to be bigger and more exciting than ever.

It will also mark a reunion of sorts. Four of the participants — Palombo, Cyrenne Okimura, Sami Akuna and Wayland Quintero — were students together at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa some years ago.

Palombo was enthusiastic about the event: "I think the numbers are exciting. We have 115 dancers and musicians involved. One group is bringing 30 dancers. The wide range of styles that will be seen includes modern and ballet, traditional Balinese, hip-hop, lyric jazz and African. There will even be a genre known as 'belly-dance fusion!' " (It combines elements of traditional music fused with a hip-hop beat.)

Palombo tries to include a diverse range of dancers and ages at these festivals. In addition to her own students from the LCC Dance Production class, half of whom have never danced on stage, she has invited two high schools to participate. 'Iolani, with its group of highly seasoned young dancers, has three works (Okimura is the school's dance director); Celia Chun is presenting a piece using dancers from Mid-Pacific Institute, another school offering an outstanding pre-professional training program. Chun's work is a modern ballet accompanied by Chinese opera music.

Sinamar (the stage name of Leeward Community College Theatre's assistant manager Wayland Quintero) will perform a traditional Balinese mask dance while Desiree A. Seguritan dances a graceful Balinese female solo. Other guests include the Shakti Dance Movement, Upside Down Dance Company, Badenyaa Africa Diaspora Theatre and Giinko Marischino. Sami Akuna, director of Giinko Marischino, also serves as guest choreographer for the LCC Dance Production class. His work, set for 21 dancers, is, in Palombo's words, "lots of fun."

Also, well-known local dancer/choreographer Marie Takazawa will present a piece for 18 dancers, choreographed to music of Aretha Franklin. The evening will end with a bang — or many bangs — as the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble takes the stage.

Besides praising the many dancers and musicians involved, Palombo gave special credit to Don Ranney, Leeward's technical director and lighting designer extraordinaire. "It wouldn't happen without him," she raved. "It just amazes me what he comes up with. He's tireless and dedicated."

The same could undoubtably be said about Palombo and her selection of talented and energetic colleagues.

Carol Egan, a former professional dancer, choreographer and teacher, began writing about dance in 1975.