Annual gala pays tribute to the legacy of West Side Story.
By OCinSite At-Large
Laguna Dance Festival’s 2018 gala will celebrate the launch of the festival’s14th season with a West Side Story theme in honor of the centennial birthdays of two of the production’s artistic luminaries – composer Leonard Bernstein and choreographer Jerome Robbins.
The program will include live music and dance from West Side Story including vocal renditions of select songs, and an iconic dance excerpt from “America,” performed by dancers from the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. There will also be several new commissions performed by professional artists — each inspired by the musical, but with their very own “west coast story” flair. Additionally, Clifford Williams from Complexions Contemporary Ballet will perform as solo as well as the three recipients of the 2017 Laguna Dance Festival scholarship — Emily Eckert, Jocelyn Magana, and Marcus Sarjeant.
“This year’s gala event not only marks the centennial of two great artists, it also celebrates Laguna Dance Festival’s commitment to quality education and innovative programming. The night will be full of glorious music and dance that represents the brightest stars of today and tomorrow,” says Artistic Director and Founder Jodie Gates.
The gala will be held at [seven degrees] on Friday, May 18, and include a live auction, fine dining, wines donated by Hall Winery of Napa and dancing into the night. Go to LagunaDanceFestival.org for tickets and more information.
