Laguna Dance Festival 2017 On Stage and On Screen
legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company from NYC and Ballet BC, a company from Vancouver,
Canada breaking new ground in contemporary dance. Company performances will be held
September 14 – 17 at Laguna Playhouse.
Ballet BC has quickly established a reputation for breathtaking physicality and originality
and will showcase three innovative dance works choreographed by women. Performances are
Sept 15 and 17. 16+ a room, features unique choreographic language deployed by Ballet BC’s
Artistic Director, Emily Molnar. In a complex study of time, transition, and stillness, space
between is as important as the space engaged, fostering a feeling of both liberation and
anonymity. In the poignant Solo Echo, celebrated choreographer, and director/choreographer of
Kidd Pivot, Crystal Pite, explores the symbiosis of acceptance and loss—inspired by two
sonatas for cello and piano by Brahms and the poem “Lines for Winter,” by Mark Strand. Tel
Aviv-based Sharon Eyal’s Bill is a daring piece showcasing Ballet BC dancers in their most
intricate expressions of the body. Combining dance, music, and design into an instantly
recognizable whole, this piece embodies the essence of life’s ebb and flow.
The legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company, which broke the mold on dance fifty years
ago, performs Sept 14 and Sept 16. Best known for dynamic modern choreography, Festival
performances will include three representative works. Esplanade, set to two Bach violin
concertos, was first performed in 1975, when Taylor was inspired to create dance around found
objects the way contemporary artists Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg fashioned
paintings. Arden Court, a space age ballet, features athletic movement set to 18th century
symphonic music. Audience favorite, Piazzolla Caldera, is a sensual exposé of tango as
reinterpreted and reimagined with modern dance.
Off the stage, the Festival features a presentation at Laguna Art Museum of the
academy award-nominated documentary “Paul Taylor: Dancemaker.” The film will be introduced
by Patrick Corbin, former principle dancer with Paul Taylor Dance Company. The screening
Sept 9 at 6 PM is free to museum visitors and members. “Backstage with Paul Taylor” on Sept
13 at 7 PM, is the Festival’s first Backstage event, featuring two Paul Taylor principle dancers in
a 45-minute free on-stage rehearsal demonstration. The evening prepares the audience for the
upcoming shows and will be an informal event with a focus on three duets choreographed by
Paul Taylor. Additionally performances by Entity Contemporary Dance from Irvine and Kybele
Dance Theater from LA will perform as part of First Thursday Art Walk on Sept 7, as well as
master classes with each visiting dance company and our new educational workshop,
“Choreograph your Career” featuring LA choreographers Andrew Winghart and Spenser
Theberge.
“This year’s Festival once again brings to Orange County the most exciting dancers to
grace international stages,” says Festival Founder and Artistic Director, Jodie Gates. “Ballet BC
is an astonishing international contemporary company with a repertory of movement second to
none and the one and only Paul Taylor Dance Company will present three of their greatest
works by one of the world’s leading modern dance legend’s, Paul Taylor. A winning combination
for dance lovers.”
Tickets range from $35 for students to $75 for the Saturday night show with a post-
reception with the company. Tickets and information at www.lagunadancefestival.org or Laguna
Playhouse Box Office: 949.497.2787.
Laguna Dance Festival presents world-class performances on the local stage and provides
quality dance education in an effort to increase public appreciation for the art. An award-winning
non-profit enterprise in collaboration with many local arts programs, the Festival event schedule,
tickets, and video excerpts of previous performances at www.lagunadancefestival.org
Photos: Paul Taylor Dance Company and Ballet BC, Laguna Dance Festival companies
performing September 14 – 17 at Laguna Playhouse. www.lagunadancefestival.org
Laguna Dance Festival 2017 Program
September 7 – 17
Jodie Gates, Founder/Artistic Director
Thursday Sept. 7, 6:30PM and 7PM, Laguna Beach First Thursday ArtWalk
Kybele Dance Theater at Laguna Art Museum
Entity Contemporary Dance, Dawson Cole Fine Art
Saturday Sept. 9, Noon-2pm, Paul Taylor Dance Company Master Class with Patrick Corbin
Saturday Sept. 9, 6PM, Dance on Screen, at Laguna Art Museum: Academy Award-nominated
documentary “Dancemaker” introduced by Patrick Corbin.
Sunday Sept. 10, Noon-4PM, Choreograph Your Career, Workshop and Master Classes with
professional dancers Andrew Winghart and Spenser Theberge, and Dance Festival Founder
Jodie Gates.
Wednesday, September 13, 7PM, Backstage with Paul Taylor Dance Company, a special
glimpse into preparation for the dance with two feature performers in a stage rehearsal.
Thursday Sept. 14, 7:30PM Paul Taylor Dance Company Performance
Pre-Show Talk, 6:30PM
Friday Sept. 15, 7:30PM, Ballet BC Performance
Pre-Show Talk, 6:30PM
Saturday Sept. 16, 7:30PM, Paul Taylor Dance Company Performance
Post-Show Reception Following
Sunday Sept. 17, 10AM, Ballet BC Master Class
Sunday Sept. 17, 2:00PM, Ballet BC Performance
Pre-Show Talk, 1:00PM