The sound emanating from Shanley Pavilion this weekend was almost tangible.

Drumming and dance group Boomshaka performed its annual spring show, titled “After Hours,” four times between Friday and Saturday night. In the club’s hour-and-a-half-long set, members rattled the room while drumming trash cans, dancing numerous choreography styles and showing a wide range of rhythmic talents.

“I think that we’re living in really crazy times right now, and it can be challenging sometimes to just get through the day,” co-artistic director and Weinberg senior Mariam Adesiji said. “Our goal is to put a smile on people’s faces and brighten people’s day and entertain them.”

Preparation for “After Hours” began the first week of Winter Quarter. Boomshaka hosted petitions where any member could show off an original dance or drumming piece to be put in the show. Members then voted on which pieces they wanted to showcase. In total, 26 out of Boomshaka’s 28 members either wrote or choreographed a piece, co-producer and Weinberg senior Anna Simmons said. 

After petitions, the cast began rehearsing weekly. In addition to a four-hour-long full cast rehearsal, members practiced up to ten hours — each hour was dedicated to a smaller group piece, Simmons said. 

Boomshaka also practiced together throughout spring break, as the group traveled to Ann Arbor, Michigan and stayed at one group member’s home.

This year is the first where Boomshaka selected its show theme prior to choreographing or writing pieces, said Simmons. Previous themes have included “Hot Off the Press” and “Set In Motion.” Simmons said this year’s “After Hours” had stronger theming throughout the performance as a result.

“What does Boomshaka get up to after hours?” Simmons said. “It’s just taking you through the roller coaster of what a night out can look like.”

The show consisted of 27 pieces revolving around the night-inspired theme, taking audiences to a slumber party, baseball game, jazz club, saloon and more. Boomshaka members danced and drummed to songs like Charli XCX’s “Club classics” and Phoebe Bridgers’ “I Know the End,” but also often made their own music on trash cans, stools or with their own hands.

The show also featured a host of other artistic talents as well. Dancers deviated from Boomshaka’s typical contemporary style and performed a tap piece. 

A “Boomshakappella” interlude of members singing Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” showed the cast’s vocal range. The members also performed an elaborate mashup of 2011 hits like “Party Rock Anthem,” “The Edge of Glory” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” — all using boomwhackers.

“I’m always very impressed by how creative Boomshaka is,” said Communication sophomore Hadley Timmermann, who attended the show. “They always kind of find ways to integrate acting or singing or just really creative ideas into their sets.”

Throughout Boomshaka’s performance, family members, friends and spectators alike cheered with every beat and move. 

“I think drumming performance is a pretty rare, unique thing on college campuses,” Simmons said. “I hope people who have never seen it before leave thinking, ‘Wow, that was awesome.’ I hope younger audience members leave thinking, ‘I would love to try that.’ Obviously, underclassmen thinking, ‘Wow, I’d love to audition for that.’”

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