LAGUNA BEACH, Calif., Oct. 10, 2019 – As part of its 15th season, the Laguna Dance Festival will present Black Grace, a dance company from New Zealand that draws from Maori and Pacific Islander dance, modern, and hip-hop. The performance, set for Sunday, Nov. 10 at 6 p.m., will take the form of a lecture demonstration in Bridge Hall at Neighborhood Church in Laguna Beach. Viewers will have the opportunity to watch the company in a rehearsal environment. The meanings of some movements will be described, as well as themes behind the selected repertoire. Audience members will attend a reception and be invited to ask questions during a portion of the showing.
“Bringing Black Grace to Laguna Beach is a real coup for us,” said founder and artistic director Jodie Gates. “They are coming to us following their run at The Joyce Theater in New York City as part of their national tour. We are eager to offer the community this rich, informal, entertaining experience in an unconventional venue.”
Admission includes a 5:30 p.m. reception prior to the 6 p.m. performance. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased in advance at lagunadancefestival.org. Seating is limited; tickets may not be available at the door. Neighborhood Congregational Church is located at 340 St. Ann’s Drive, Laguna Beach.
In addition to its onstage performances at the Irvine Barclay Theatre by Parsons Dance Company of New York, RUBBERBAND from Montreal, and Ballet West of Salt Lake City, the 2019-20 Laguna Dance Festival included a summer intensive dancer training, a master class series, free August shows at the Festival of Arts, free First Thursdays Art Walk performances, and a Nov. 3 Merce Cunningham centennial celebration in collaboration with Laguna Art Museum.
Laguna Dance Festival is one of Orange County’s major annual cultural events and continues to be an important showcase for new and established dance companies and artists. Its founder and director is ballerina Jodie Gates, who also currently serves as vice dean and director of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Laguna Dance Festival’s mission is to present world-class dance performance, increase public appreciation for the art, and provide quality dance education. lagunadancefestival.org
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