Tripping The Light Fantastically

Dance Offerings Run The Gamut From Classical to Modern.

Joan McKenna Arts & Entertainment

“DNA” by Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company
J O E L A M B I E

Ballet and ballroom buffs — and everyone in between — will have plenty of world-class performances to choose from in the desert this season, along with opportunities to see emerging artists making the leap to professional competitions.

“The McCallum Theatre has a long history of presenting dance in all its forms,” says McCallum Theatre President Mitchell Gershenfeld. “This season starts off with the 15th annual Choreography Festival, a juried competition for the best new choreographers.” The festival runs Nov. 10-11, 2013 and offers Coachella Valley audiences a sneak peek at up-and-coming artists as they compete for cash prizes. Winners are announced at the end of each performance.

On Dec. 18, 2013  McCallum Theatre offers a lavish production of holiday mainstay Moscow Classical Ballet’s The Nutcracker. Ballet fans can also look forward to Cinderella, performed by the Russian National Ballet,  on Feb. 4, 2013

On April 11, 2013  the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the McCallum. “This company performed in the very first show at the McCallum Theatre in 1988, and will close our 25th anniversary season,”    

The Nickerson-Rossi Dance Company brings its innovative modern dance repertoire to the Annenberg Theater at Palm Springs Art Museum on Jan. 15, 2013 The Long Beach–based company will premiere its new show, DNA, a “celebration of beauty and skill.” The event begins at 5:30 p.m.; an opening reception and post-show reception with the performers is also included.

The gravity-defying Golden Dragon Acrobats visit the McCallum Theatre on Jan. 27, 2013 The Chinese troupe combines traditional dance, acrobatics and spectacular costumes with ancient and contemporary music in its award-winning touring production.

On March 9, 2013 the Dance for Life Palm Springs show at the Annenberg will benefit the AIDS Assistance Program and The Dancers’ Fund This second annual event will feature a reception, followed by a performance from several dance companies.

The Valerie Mahabir Academy of Ballet and Performing Arts in Rancho Mirage will showcase its best and brightest new dancers at the Dancing From Our Hearts show on March 24, 2013

Dancing With the Stars fans will want to attend the Desert Classic DanceSport Championships in Palm Desert, July 11-14, 2013 Pro/Am ballroom dancers of all ages will vie for recognition and cash prizes in several genres in an event organizers call “wildly hot.”

INFORMATION:
McCallum Theatre: www.mccallumtheatre.com
Annenberg Theater: www.psmuseum.org
Dance for Life Palm Springs: www.aidsassistance.org
Valerie Mahabir Academy of Ballet and Performing Arts: www.idance2.org
Desert Classic DanceSport Championships: www.desertclassicdancesport.com