The upstairs dance studio at CMFA is dimly lit and eerie noises emanate from a stereo in the corner. In the center of the floor, 18 dancers dressed in tattered ’80s dresses and suits twist and contort their bodies in unison to the familiar sounds of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”

“Think zombie,” Unbound Dance Company artistic director Susan Dabney says.

“Think zombie,” Unbound Dance Company artistic director Susan Dabney says. The company’s performance will be the main attraction at Friday’s Halloween gala Carpe Noctem at 701 Whaley. The new company, formed by Dabney and fellow dancer and South Carolina native Caroline Lewis-Jones, is an eclectic mix of dancers, many of whom have day jobs that have nothing to do with devouring human flesh.

“If you have a love and a talent for dance you want to do it,” says company member and attorney Kristian Cross. “You can be a professional and a dancer.”

Cross, whose dance background is rooted in her years on the Clemson University dance team, dances alongside those trained in ballet and jazz. The group also includes business owners and full-time students. Former dancer and teacher Liz Druc was drawn to the melding of styles, the hallmark of Unbound.

“You have two different artistic directors who were trained in different forms of dance,” the restaurant owner says. “In Columbia there’s ballet and modern, but very little overlap.”

Old friends Lewis-Jones and Dabney founds themselves back home in Columbia after successful dancing careers, and the creative seed for Unbound was produced. With the help of friends and family, the two were able to make their idea a reality.

“It was amazing the outpouring of donations,” Dabney said. “We have an amazing circle of support.”

Proceeds from Unbound shows are given to various charities. Carpe Noctem will be the company’s fourth full-length performance and is a fundraiser to bankroll its May show, unofficially titled Human Survival, to be held at Drayton Hall. It will be the first time the company has rented a space, so it will have more overhead. The concept of the show is telling the stories of survival through dance and music.

“We are accepting letters from survivors,” Dabney says. “They can be a survivor of anything from drug abuse, a plane crash [to] cancer. Things like that change your spirit and your life.”

The company plans to give the proceeds from the show to appropriate charities that match the themes of the survivor stories. When Dabney and Lewis-Jones began planning Carpe Noctem a few months ago, they weren’t sure they could actually pull it off. But, again, friends and community members stepped up and offered donations and services. All the beverages were donated, and the food will be provided by Duper Catering. Businesses have offered a variety of items for the silent auction from massages to gym memberships and even a weekend getaway to a mountain house.

In addition to Unbound’s performance of “Thriller,” local cabaret singer Dell Goodrich will also perform a few Halloween-themed numbers such as “I Put a Spell on You,” “Superstition” and “Bad Moon Rising.”

“I performed at their May show, and I was thrilled when they asked me again,” Goodrich says. She plans to transform her usual evening gown into a Medusa-inspired costume to suit the spirit of the party.

Also on the bill are Erin Jaffe from the Vista Ballroom; four drag queens performing Monster Mash; a magician; and a living statue. Art from Travis Teate, Scott Bibly and Mike Krajewski will be on display. Dabney promises the creepy décor, which includes coffins and a hearse, will not disappoint. A dance floor will be provided, with DJ Chris Wenner providing the tunes. She also encourages everyone to join the fun by wearing a costume. Dabney is no exception. She, Lewis-Jones and their significant others plan to arrive as the Addams Family.

One thing will be missing from Unbound’s “Thriller” cast of zombies: Dabney and Lewis-Jones. Lewis-Jones is still recovering from an ACL replacement and cannot perform.
“Caroline and I usually dance,” Dabney says. “But I promised her that since she can’t dance, I won’t dance — because we’re a team.” 


Carpe Noctem hits 701 Whaley, at 701 Whaley St., at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Tickets are $15. Call 404-643-2822 or visit unbounddancecompany.com for more information.