Event had guests dancing all over About...

Event had guests dancing all over

About 600 people came out to experience Dance Day II Saturday.

The event was organized by the California Choreographers Dance

Festival and included free dance lessons and performances.

“It went so well,” said Kimberly Bixler Leeds of California

Choreographers Dance Festival. “I loved seeing on the smiles on

people’s faces.”

Dudley Brooks provided a clowning workshop that had kids giggling,

while Robin Kish choreographed a dramatic piece that represented the

life of a new mother and father. Classes were held at No Square

Theatre’s rehearsal studio.

The “Tweaksters” provided a few performance art pieces. Their work

included object manipulation using hats with Velcro and balls thrown

in syncopation with the music.

As the sun was setting and the moon was rising, the San Pedro

Ballet gave a dramatic performance.

“Imagine a whole ballet company on Main Beach,” Bixler Leeds said.

City Arts Commissioner Mike Tauber said he thought it was a

beautiful presentation with a good crowd.

The master classes were filled with participants. Steve Josephson

led the jazz group and Lula Washington headed up modern dance. Erin

Landry’s Afro Caribbean class with a live drummer was a popular

choice.

“We produced a professional program explaining some of the cutting

edge choreographers and their work and handed them out at Main

Beach,” Bixler Leeds said. “We’re definitely achieving our goal of

bringing new dance to audiences, and audiences to new dance.”

Carnevale makes a scene Downtown

Saturday proved to be a big success for the inaugural Laguna Beach

fall Carnevale according to producer Jon Beau Lee.

Named “Carnevale Zali,” as a tribute to dance great Lila Zali who

died last year, the event brought in more than 250 people to the

Festival of Arts grounds.

Tim Dey of Laguna Beach was responsible for the decor,

transforming the grounds into a crystal Venetian palace. Every table

was adorned by brocade tablecloths and candelabras filled with

flowers and spilling over with grapes. White twinkling lights

accented the scene of the Venetian like flavor. Dey’s costume that at

the Venice Carnevale this year was prominently display on stage.

The event began with a parade of costumes from the Festival of

Arts grounds to Main Beach and back.

“Everyone applauded, horns were honking,” Lee said. “It was

difficult walking down Main Beach with all the people with their

cameras.”

Councilwoman Cheryl Kinsman performed the official ribbon cutting

ceremony, which was followed by a Lila Zali film tribute at the Forum

Theater.

“Adorned in Languages I Don’t Understand” and “Two Masks of the

Italian Carnevale,” were shown. They had been filmed Venice and

Viareggio Italy this year. Between the films, Carnevale provided

music and dancing and food and drink.

The costume contest was judged by arts commissioner Jan Sattler.

The winner was Mary Rowe as the poodle lady. She had her two people

“poodles” -- Philip Kiluk and Paul Hendrick. Second place went to

David Sill who was the grim reaper. He was on stilts and was making

his rounds from 12 feet high. Samantha Ferri of Laguna won the

children’s costume contest with her littlest angel design.

The event was a benefit for the artist’s live/work spaces in

Laguna Beach.