BRIEFLY IN EDUCATION

Winter dance program is ‘Synchronicity’

The Laguna Beach dance department is hard at work on its winter dance program, “Synchronicity,” coming in early December.

“Synchronicity” means a “coincidence of events that seem to be meaningfully related” and describes the creative medley of 12 dances choreographed by new department head, Lisa Jay, her colleague Danielle Pigneri and guest choreographers Tracey Bonner and Jaclyn Butterfield.

Jay, from Hawaii, has been teaching dance since 1985. Her professional career spans stage, television and the world of live entertainment.

“I am all about dance, pure dance,” Jay said. “I love having the freedom to just create and not be bound by anything.”

Laguna Beach High School is among the 14% of public secondary schools nationally with dance as part of its daily curriculum.

This commitment on the part of the district produces dancers who have the technique and stamina to go on to dance in college or professionally.

Many have gone on to dance careers.

“Synchronicity” will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 11, 12 and 13 at the Artists Theatre, 650 Park Ave. Tickets are $8 for students and seniors, $12 for adults and $15 reserved.

The box office is open after Monday at (949) 497-7769.

Boys & Girls Club campaign progresses

The Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach kicked off its annual campaign, It Just Takes One, in September with a goal of $100,000 by the end of the year. To date, the club has raised $55,000 toward that goal.

All the funds raised go toward providing a quality after-school program.

Laguna’s two club locations annually serve 1,400 youth from Laguna Beach and surrounding communities.

The clubs provide a safe, supervised and affordable place to go every day after school, with adult staff, educational and recreational programs, and an opportunity to set and achieve goals, while also making friends and having fun.

For information on how to support the Boys & Girls Club of Laguna Beach, call Michelle Ray at (949)494-2535, ext. 103.