Founded in 2005, the annual Laguna Dance Festival (LDF) will run February 23-26, 2023 at the Laguna Playhouse featuring two major dance companies Cincinnati Ballet, led by Artistic Director Jodie Gates of LDF and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, led by Artistic Director Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell. Tickets are on sale now.
“This is going to be such an extraordinary weekend of dance for all in attendance.” Said Jodie Gates, Artistic Director of the Cincinnati Ballet, Founder and Artistic Director of the Laguna Dance Festival, and Founding Director of the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. “Laguna Beach is a special community that I’ve loved calling home for many years. It’s meaningful for me to bring two iconic companies, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Cincinnati Ballet to perform at the Laguna Dance Festival. Which has been such a popular and unique organization and mission to celebrate dance education and presentation and bring live dance performances to the local community.”
Cincinnati Ballet dancers Maizyalet Velázquez and Joshua Stayton – Photo by Hiromi Platt
The 2023 Festival Schedule
6:00 PM on Thursday, February 23 a peek backstage, a free rehearsal event with the Cincinnati Ballet on stage at the Laguna Playhouse.
7:30 PM on Friday, February 24 the Cincinnati Ballet, performing repertory that includes Alejandro Cerrudo’s Extremely Close, Don Quixote Pas de Deux, an excerpt from William Forsythe’s In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, and Swivet, choreography by Andrea Schermoly.
7:30 PM on Saturday, February 25 a special combined dance performance by the Cincinnati Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.
Hubbard Street Dancers Morgan Clune and Matt Wenckowski in AS THE WIND BLOWS by Amy Hall Garner – Photo by Danica Paulos; courtesy of Jacobs Pillow
5:00 PM on Sunday, February 26 Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will be performing contemporary repertory of As the Wind Blows by Amy Hall Garner, The Bystander by Kyle Abraham, Ne Me Quitte Pas by Spencer Theberge, B/olero by Ohad Naharin, and Busk by Aszure Barton.
“We’re thrilled to be performing in Laguna Beach, a community with such a well-known history of supporting the arts and dance community,” said Fisher-Harrell.
Master classes for advanced dance students will also be taught by Artistic Directors Jodie Gates (Saturday February 25) and Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell (Sunday, February 26) as well as hosting pre-show talks for interested audiences members throughout the weekend. Students will be able to sign up for these classes in mid-January 2023 at the LDF website.
WHAT: 2023 Laguna Dance Festival featuring performances by Cincinnati Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Master classes by Jodie Gates and Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell.
WHEN: Friday – Sunday, February 23-26, 2023.
WHERE: Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach, California.
TICKETS: $60 for general admission and $30 for students. To purchase tickets, please click HERE.
For more information about Laguna Dance Festival, please visit their website.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle based on information from Laguna Dance Festival press release.
Featured image: Cincinnati Ballet dancers – Photo by Hiromi Platt
