Dance groups both seasoned and new will perform this weekend, proving that age really ain't nothing but a number.

Orchesis, Penn State's oldest dance group with more than 70 years in existence, and Whiplash, a group that has been around for less than a decade, will both bring their talents to the stage this weekend.

If dance based on the modern tradition sounds appealing, Orchesis' Spring Showcase is the performance to see. Whiplash will bring a more contemporary, hip-hop-based show to the White Building and LateNight stages.

Orchesis

Since 1935, Orchesis has been a university club performing modern dance, a style dating back to the 1920s.

But as its audiences' preferences have changed over the years, the group has kept pace by using choreography from many members and by incorporating other styles into its repertoire.

Orchesis president Melissa Jeffery (senior-marketing) describes the Orchesis dancers as versatile. Though the company is based in modern dance, this show will have dances from many other styles, including ballet, jazz and lyrical, an overtly expressive style of dance.

"We try to stick close [to modern] but we really pride ourselves in being able to do everything else," Jeffery said.

The dances that will be presented in the show are student-choreographed. At the beginning of the semester, Orchesis choreographers signed up to show the company a little part of the dance and accompanying music he or she had planned.

The officers decided whether or not a specific choreography was fit for the showcase and assigned company members to a few dances each.

"It should be interesting and exciting because it's all new stuff," junior officer and choreographer Katie Maxwell (junior-public relations) said.

To prepare for this show, Orchesis dancers have been rehearsing since the semester began. The week before the show, the dancers spend several hours per night perfecting their steps.

The showcase is composed of 12 dances, each with a different theme. Maxwell's, for example, is a "straight up jazz number" about staying young after entering the working world.

"It's called 'Twentysomething.' It's really relevant to kids our age because it's what we're all going through," Maxwell said.

Another piece, titled "It's A Man's Man's Man's World," is partly a response to the criticism aimed at singer Christina Aguilera for performing James Brown's song by the same title at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Choreographer Lauren Appel (senior-public relations) said she found the criticism to be thought provoking, adding the dance is an empowering piece.

Orchesis shows usually draw a crowd of family and friends, Appel said.

"It's people who either know us or are interested in art. We're interested in getting a diverse audience. Everyone I talked to said it wasn't what they expected," Appel said.

Because the show features pieces from many dance concentrations, Maxwell said it would have wide appeal.

"It's really great for anyone at Penn State to experience because it's a chance to see your peers perform in a way you've never seen. There's going to be something for everyone in the show," Maxwell said.

Whiplash

Only in existence since 2000, Whiplash dancers still know what it takes to put on a show that will engage a college-aged crowd.

Although it dances a variety of styles, the club focuses on hip-hop and jazz, popular with its target audience. This weekend, there will be three different chances to see the group in action.

As in Orchesis, all of the dances that Whiplash will perform are student-arranged pieces that the choreographers have spent their free time working on and teaching during the semester.

The Whiplash dancers gathered at the beginning of the semester and picked which pieces they wanted to perform.

"Anyone who wants to choreograph can. Each girl shows a little of her dance and you can sign up for as little or as many as you want," Whiplash President Katelin Feely (senior-advertising) said.

The majority of the dances are hip-hop and jazz styles although for this weekend's shows the club incorporated other styles "to let girls step out of the box," Feely said.

One of the pieces, entitled "Power," is a collaboration with friends of the dancers.

"We each brought a guy, and we're doing a fun, upbeat hip-hop piece to break up the show," said Whiplash secretary Lauren Richards (sophomore-recreation, park and tourism management), who choreographed the dance.

Richards said the hip-hop piece was co-choreographed with Alex Miller (freshman-psychology), who mixed all the accompanying music.

The dancers are excited about the idea of working with non-Whiplash members.

"We've never done anything like this before. It's really fun," Feely said.

Whiplash will also perform modern dance. The choreographer of the modern dance piece, Steph Apa (sophomore-communications), drew from personal experiences to make up the dance.

"Her friend was killed earlier this year, so it's a tribute to him," Feely said.

The dancers are all looking forward to showing off all the hard work they've put in throughout the semester.

"I would probably say it's a fun time for me to show off how I choreograph and to see how others choreograph," Richards said.

In addition to its own dances, Whiplash will also have Tapestry, Penn State's tap dance ensemble, perform a number in the show, Feely said.

Whiplash members encourage anyone who is interested to come out.

"We are a really, really fun, tight-knit group of girls. We have great choreography this year. We have all styles in our show," Richards said.