A new day for dance in Laguna

BARBARA DIAMOND

The finale to caDance Day was held at the North Laguna home of Stuart

Byer, Jeff Rehm and their bouvier des Flandres, Schnitz, where

dancers and dance lovers gathered to review the performance at Main

Beach.

“I have some 1920s photographs of Denishawn Co., then a leading

modern dance company, on Main Beach,” said Laguna Beach Arts

Coordinator Sian Poeschl, who founded California Choreographers,

which began Dance Day. “It seems appropriate to have modern dance

back on Main Beach.”

The 2005 Dance Day featured a “white tutu” excerpt, as well as

modern dance and master classes.

Gallimaufry’s new Artistic Director of Dance Division Jodie Gates

made her debut at the helm of caDance Day. Gates organized the

classes at Legion Hall and performances on Main Beach, which included

the White Swan pas de deux, danced by San Francisco Ballet’s Tina

LeBlanc and Gonzalo Garcia.

“I am not associated with any school in Orange County,” Gates

said. “I opened my arms to everyone.”

Besides the two San Francisco principals, Gates snagged Backhaus

Dance, Donna Sternberg & Dancers, Capoeira Brasil, six Complexions

Dance Company members and multi-talented Desmond Richardson. Gates,

whose credentials include principal roles with Joffrey and

Pennsylvania ballet companies and soloist with Frankfurt Ballet, also

performed Saturday.

The performances were a sampling of the 10-day festival that

Gallimaufry plans to present in October. Gates’ 20-year international

dance career, in association with some of the world’s best companies

and choreographers, gives her entree to quality performers.

“You have the makings for something really great here,” Richardson

said. “Spread the word.”

Richardson thanked patrons for opening their homes and their

hearts to Laguna and he thanked Gates for bringing the dancers to

Laguna.

The festival is Gates’ vision for Laguna, where she now makes her

home.

“This idea of a nine-day festival is doable,” said Gallimaufry

Vice President Steve Josephson, who grew up in Laguna. “We have all

the components, but we need a network of involved people to help with

sponsors.”

Josephson said he founded Gallimaufry to put performing arts on

par with the visual arts in Laguna.

“In one year, we have produced 10 events,” he said.

Performing arts has a long history in Laguna. Lyric Opera,

performed in the Irvine Bowl, was the cradle for Opera Pacific.

Ballet Pacifica was born and nurtured here. Doris Shields conducted

chorales at the festival and the Laguna Playhouse, where actors have

trod the boards for decades, and she founded “Arts in Motion,”

performed on Main Beach, until overnight structures were banned, and

Concerts in the Park.

However, dance has been a step behind, despite the wonderful dance

concerts that Lisa and Pauline Kynes have produced and Tod Kubo’s

outstanding contributions to Laguna Beach High School’s performing

arts program.

The inaugural caDance Festival this fall will be the first West

Coast annual festival of virtuoso, contemporary and classical dance,

according to Gates. It will include collaborations between the

world-renowned and locals, held in Laguna’s galleries, Laguna Art

Museum and outdoor venues. Workshops and other educational

opportunities will include free master classes at Main Beach.

Modeled after the highly successful Aspen Festival, caDance

Festival will attract off-season guests to town, Gates predicted.

Does that sound like a candidate for a grant from the Business

Improvement District?Corporate sponsorship opportunities range from

the $50,000 “Executive Producer,” who gets to name the festival, and

have it on all festival printed materials, plus other perks, down to

the $5,000 Associate Producers package.

For more information about the festival or specified financial

support for it, visit www.cadancefest.com or www.gallimaufry.info or

call (949) 499-5060.

The committee for Saturday’s sampling included Pam Berry, Suzi

Chavel, Mary DePaoli, Bob Dietrich, Sallie Gallagher, Lorraine

Hornby, Clay and Kimberly Bixler Leeds, K Austin Yarnton and Byer.

Christine Rhoades provided housing for the dancers. Glass artist John

Barber and Laguna Canyon Winery contributed items for a silent

auction.

“Dance was my first love,” said Janet Eggers, whose name appeared

in all categories.

She was twice president of the Ballet Pacifica board, as well as

president of the Center for Performing Arts Dance Alliance support

group.

She and her husband, Henry, have a place in New York where they

can stay for frequent visits to see dance performances.

A week before caDance Day, they were in the audience for a

Complexions performance. Other guests included Kathy Conway, who

serves on the Gallimaufry board with such familiar names in Laguna’s

artistic community as Phoebe T. Ward and Arts Alliance President Pat

Kollenda.

Also munching on Ilona Liberi’s catered yum yums: dentist Joe

Baker, Laguna Dance Theatre artistic director Shery Gilbert and Linda

Dietrich, a member of California Choreographers, which has now merged

with Gallimaufry.

* OUR LAGUNA is a regular feature of the Laguna Beach Coastline

Pilot. Contributions are welcomed. Write to Barbara Diamond, P.O. Box

248, Laguna Beach, 92652; hand-deliver to Suite 22 in the Lumberyard,

384 Forest Ave.; call (949) 494-4321 or fax (949) 494-8979.