Contest Winner Gains Chance to See Elite Dance Company

Joshua Tree resident's name picked in Palm Springs Life online promotion

Mona de Crinis Arts & Entertainment

 

Richard Casaday may not be ready for “Dancing With the Stars”, but that doesn’t stop his appreciation for the art.

“I used to dance when I was younger, but I’m not very good,” he says shaking his head with a grin.

The Windermere real estate agent recently experienced dance vicariously after winning a pair of tickets as part of the Celebrate Dance Experience package that included dinner at Wally’s Desert Turtle during a Palm Springs Life online contest sponsored by the City of Palm Desert and McCallum Theatre.

“I follow the Palm Springs Life website and get emails at least once a week with information about events around the valley, so I like to enter the contests,” he says, adding, “I don’t win very often but once in a while you get lucky.”

Casaday and a guest were treated to Les Ballet Jazz de Montreal — part of the inaugural Palm Desert International Dance Festival — at McCallum Theatre Nov. 16.

"This will be my first time for performance dance," Casaday says.

The Canadian dance company fosters creativity and allows “the full expression of each dancer's identity,” according to the official website (www.bjmdanse.ca)

“Of course, I know what regular ballet is, but I think an avant-garde approach may be more challenging,” Casaday continues. “I saw Cirque du Soleil the last time I was in Vegas, so I’m hoping this will be as good or better.”

Casaday planned to get as much as possible out of the evening, before returning home to Joshua Tree.

“The last time I was at McCallum Theatre was for an Andy Williams Christmas special. It’s a great theater,” he says.