Featuring 12 outstanding guest artists from the east and west coasts, SpectorDance has announced that it is presenting the Choreographers’ Showcase: Dance that Makes A Difference at the beautiful Outdoor Forest Theater in Carmel-by-the-Sea on October 7 and 8, 2023 from 2-4 pm with live pre-show music by Flynn Cohen. From 10:30 to 11:30 am on Friday, October 6 there will be a free performance for schools and a modern dance class with guest artist Allen Xing on Sunday, October 8 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
Xing Dance Theater – INNOPRAKTIKA – Photo @Nina-Danilina, courtesy of SpectorDance
New this year, from September 20 to October 11, SpectorDance is hosting an Online Auction in Support of the Choreographers Showcase, with some great items! They hope that you will check it out! The website states: “Local businesses and individuals who value dance and the arts in our community have donated various items including tickets to events, gift certificates for local restaurants, services and more. Please consider purchasing something for yourself or as a gift for someone else from SpectorDances Silent Online Auction in support of the Choreographers’ Showcase Your support makes a major difference in our ability to host future events. Together we can keep dance and arts vibrant in our community. The Auction will be live online from September 20 to October 11, 2023.”
Charlotte Katherine & Co. – Photo by Don Q. Hannah, courtesy of SpectorDance
SpectorDance was founded by artistic director Fran Spector Atkins and since the Choreographer’s Showcase was launched in 1997, there have been over 450 dancemakers from around the globe that have participated in this annual event. The artists presenting works on the 2023 Choreographer’s Showcase include: hip-hop, theatre, and performance artist and Assistant Professor of Dance at CSULB, Tslambwon Akuchu (Long Beach, CA.); Artistic director of Danceworks, founding chair of the Dance Department at the Peabody Conservatory, Danah Bella, (Baltimore, MD.); dancer, choreographer, educator, curator, and artistic director of BrockusRED, Deborah Brockus (Los Angeles, CA); multi-creative artist based out of southern California, Meredith Ventura (Santa Barbara, CA); dancer, choreographer, founder and artistic director of Arpana Dance Company, Ramya Harishankar (Irvine, CA); dancer, choreographer Chair of Dance at Santa Barbara City College, Tracy Kofford; dancer and choreographer, Stephanie Mizrahi (Los Angeles, CA); dancer, teacher, and choreographer, Ryan Ruiz (Glendale, CA); dancer, award-winning choreographer, artistic director of Charlotte Katherine & Co., filmmaker, educator, and casting director, Charlotte Katherine Smith; dancer, choreographer and founder of Margaret Wingrove Dance Company, Margaret Wingrove (San Jose, CA); dancer, choreographer and educator, Allen Xing; and founder and artistic director of SpectorDance, Fran Spector Atkins.
Arpana Dance Company in “Thilana” – Photo by Gunindu Abeysekara
“We are proud to announce – the Choreographers’ Showcase – Dance That Makes a Difference! Our showcase brings performances to the community that focuses on the power of dance to inform, promote dialogue, and be a galvanizing vehicle for change,” stated Spector Atkins. “We are thrilled to present today’s event at the historic and inspiring Forest Theater in Carmel-by-the Sea. We hope to continue to build our new partnership with the Forest Theater to create an annual festival of new dance!”
Tslambwon M. Akuchu – Photo by Yi Chun Yu, courtesy of SpectorDance
WHAT: SpectorDance presents the Choreographer’s Showcase – Dance That Makes a Difference!
And: Online auction in support of the Choreographer’s Showcase – September 20 to October 11.
Plus: Modern Dance Class with Allen Xing October 8 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm – $20 per person *service charge will be applied.
WHEN: October 7 and 8, 2023 from 2-4 pm.
WHERE: The Outdoor Forest Theater in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
TICKETS: Single Ticket -$25* – 2 Adult Tickets – $40* – Seniors/Military/Students – $15* – Package Deal: 10 tickets $150*. To purchase tickets, please click HERE.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.spectordance.org or franspector5@gmail.com or 831-601-8510.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Ryan Ruiz (front) – Photo by Victoria Roman
