Smuin’s 29th season finale is a quadruple bill presenting two new works created by women–Amy Seiwert’s world premiere and a company premiere by Kate Skarpetowska who Dance Magazine named one of “25 to Watch,” plus Dream by Michael Smuin, a stirring pas de deux set to “Romanza” from Chopin’s “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11.” Dream was originally commissioned as an anniversary gift by a devoted Smuin patron. Rounding out the bill is Val Caniparoli’s Swipe, a highly technical and inventive piece for four men and three women set to a remix of “String Quartet No. 2” by Gabriel Prokofiev, grandson of Sergei Prokofiev who is a classically trained composer known for electronic and hip-hop music.
Join us at Flux Vertical Theatre for a magical journey celebrating the power of love in our rendition of A Midsummer Night's Fantasy! Through the art of dance and aerial arts we are recreating the classic love story of A Midsummer Night's Dream with a sexy twist! We will explore the joy and excitement of falling in love, while also delving into the sometimes-foolishness of this powerful emotion. Through a festive celebration of dreams, illusions, and poetry, we will examine the duality of fantasy and reality when it comes to matters of the heart. This production will be fully immersive and therefore we would love it if you dressed the part if possible! Come join us for a night of entertainment, dance, story telling, immersive art, and love!
DO ROSES DIE WHEN THEY ARE FORGOTTEN? After a pandemic leaves young Mary Lennox orphaned, she is sent to live with her estranged uncle in a mysterious manor filled with secrets. When Mary discovers the gardens outside, a world of possibilities is revealed. The beloved tale of resilience and renewal is brought to life like never before with an original blend of circus performance and classic storytelling. This timely story explores loss, grief, and the healing power of nature, play, and community. Don't miss this inspiring summer show for the whole family!
Bursting with heart-pounding excitement and death-defying acrobatics, Dear San Francisco will leave you awestruck and amazed. Take a 90-minute joy ride through our City by the Bay’s busts and booms in a breathtaking aerial extravaganza perfect for your next great night out. Powered by mind-blowing circus acts, live original music, and more, the historic Club Fugazi—former home of Beach Blanket Babylon—is delighting audiences ages 5 to 105. Come with a date, family, friends, co-workers, and enjoy a curated menu of cicchetti (small bites) and beverages to imbibe during this new resident production, right in the heart of North Beach. Powered by exhilarating acrobatics, choreography, spoken word, video projections, shadow play, and original music, Dear San Francisco invites locals and visitors alike on a heart-stopping romp through both the essence and the myth that is San Francisco. From the Gold Rush and 1906 earthquake, to beat poetry and the mysterious fog, San Francisco comes vividly to life, performed by an international cast of world-class acrobats across a variety of disciplines - including hoop diving, Chinese pole, Korean plank, hand-balancing, juggling, and “hand-to-trap”. Savor with a date, family, friends, co-workers and enjoy drinks and small bites from our curated menu. The show runs approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.
A dance concert performed to scintillating music featuring depictions of the Sun-god, the primal and immortal flame; Jwala Devi, a goddess worshipped in the Himalayas; and a new work on the wildfires devastating California, a direct consequence of global warming. Abhinaya Dance Company The Abhinaya Dance Company of San Jose was founded by its Artistic Director Mythili Kumar in 1980, to present innovative and professional quality performances of South Indian classical dance forms. Since 1986, Abhinaya has staged over 50 original dance productions and has been awarded several grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and from state and city agencies. Abhinaya offers classes in San Jose and Monte Sereno. Over 150 students have graduated from Abhinaya with their solo debut (arangetram) performances. Website: www.abhinaya.org
This original work by one of the Bay Area’s foremost West African dance companies, explores a personal journey and its universal expression in ritual. It blends traditional West African dance with contemporary American influences and features both traditional and pop music from Senegal and Mali. This dynamic suite has four scenes, beginning with, JUSAT, which represents the cyclical stages of life’s trajectory. The piece uses traditional West African dance and music as its focal point, which is enhanced by contemporary moves and music. The next scene, The Birth, is based on an old myth. Mawa, in a thunderous conversation with his demi-gods, sends his strongest, most beautiful, goddesses down to earth to give birth to the children and nations of Africa. The demi-gods bequeath her the power needed to accomplish this; a piercing scream is heard as she brings forth the children. The third section, called The Initiation, speaks to the joy and pride experienced by a mother and father when their children have grown up and returned from the secret society as respectable young men or women. Their esteem is both for their children’s coming of age and also for the veneration of the family’s ancestral divinities and connection to nature. In the closing scene, The Harvest depicts the time in a parent’s life to give back to the young people for being so courageous. The community harvests its best crops in preparation of a grand celebration lasting several days with enough crops harvested and animals killed and prepared for the feast to satisfy everyone’s appetite. Audience members are invited to a reception with the artists following the performance. Esta obra original de una de las compañías de danza más importantes de África Occidental del Área de la Bahía explora un viaje personal y su expresión universal en el ritual. Combina la danza tradicional de África Occidental con influencias estadounidenses contemporáneas y presenta música tradicional y pop de Senegal y Malí. Esta suite dinámica tiene cuatro escenas, comenzando con JUSAT, que representa las etapas cíclicas de la trayectoria de la vida. La pieza utiliza la danza y la música tradicionales de África occidental como punto focal, que se ve reforzada por movimientos y música contemporáneos. Diamano Coura West African Dance Company Diamano Coura is a not-for-profit community African arts organization with a cultural focus. Located at the Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts in the City of Oakland, the Company is dedicated to: The preservation, education, and appreciation of traditional West African music, dance, theater, and culture through public benefit ventures. The mission of Diamano Coura is to provide global audiences access to the richness of indigenous African cultural tapestry through professional classes, performances, and the accurate depiction and perpetuation of African folklore indigenous Senegal, Guinea, Mali, Liberia, and Ivory Coast, whereby it can be understood and appreciated by all. Diamano Coura is committed to partnering with other artists and community members to use the inherent power of the arts to break barriers that stagnate to open corridors that encourage social and economic development, while fostering health and spiritual health and well-being. Diamano Coura in the Senegalese Wolof language means "those who bring the message."
A vibrant production full of rhythm and color that manifests the customs of the indigenous people of México. It is an evening of Mexican sones, a traditional musical style with origins in Spanish, African and Indigenous rhythms. Accompanied by dances from across many different regions of Mexico. Ensambles Ballet Folklórico de San Francisco was founded by Zenón Barrón and Jorge Pacheco (1970-1997) in 1992. The two men met in México, as dancers, but eventually Pacheco moved to San Francisco, where he continued dancing. Years later, it would be Pacheco who would inspire and motivate Barrón to also move to San Francisco in order to pursue their shared dream of forming their own dance company. What began as a gathering of a few dancers has now grown to three generations of dancers and over hundreds of individuals that have been touched and inspired by the artistic vision of Zenón Barrón. Together, Barrón and the company have brought to life the magnificent world of dance and music that this city is known for. Ensambles is a unique dance ensemble made up of a diverse group of talented dancers who vary in levels of experience, age, ethnicity, and professions. Ensambles is comprised of 35 dancers from different dance backgrounds, and ethnicities. Many started with the Ensambles Dance Academy and transitioned to dancing with the company in their early teen years while others have danced with Ensambles for over 20 years. Ranging from high school students, and adults with little dance experience, to seasoned dance professionals. All are committed to the continuation of one of the richest manifestations of tradition and culture in México—folkloric dance.
Known for its energized, athletic, and joyous style, Parsons Dance is internationally renowned for creating and performing contemporary American dance. Their bold ensemble work and movement has solidified them as one of the world’s leading dance companies. Works like the iconic Caught exemplify the company’s innovation and huge audience appeal. Parsons Dance is always a favorite that is sure to thrill audiences with their effortless movement and stunning dancers.
From the Emmy Award-winning mind of Derek Hough, this live dance show is the first national tour for the performing dynamo in four years. The show features all new high-energy choreography, stunning stage production, astounding versatility and, as always, Derek’s magnetic stage presence. Fans will journey through a true fusion of dance and music, as Derek explores styles ranging from ballroom and tap to salsa and hip-hop and everything in-between. Creative team and two-time Emmy winners Napoleon and Tabitha Dumo, also known as NappyTabs (Jennifer Lopez’s All I Have Residency; Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour; Grammys creative direction), are co-creating, directing and supervising choreography for the tour. Derek Hough – Symphony of Dance is produced by Greg Young, of Mojave Ghost, who is a Tony Award & Drama Desk-Award nominated producer. He’s produced award-winning Broadway shows (Bob Fosse’s Dancin’, The Illusionists, Little Women, Wait Until Dark), Las Vegas Residencies (Derek Hough No-Limit! Residency, Donny Osmond Residency). Visit www.MojaveGhost.com for more information. For more information on this production, you can visit www.derekhough.com.
Each year, The Dance Affair presents a professional performance to showcase dances from each class. Each class prepares and practices to present their dances onstage for family and friends. This presentation is a culmination of the students’ hard work and dedication.
West Valley Dance Company (WVDC) is a studio located in the Bay Area that provides exceptional instruction to dancers, ages 4-18, five days a week. Talented, experienced staff members guide students through the wonderful world of dance in various performance and competitive teams; enriching a love of movement and performing that lasts a lifetime. Performances: Thurs., June 22, 2023 @ 6:30pm Fri., June 23, 2023 @ 6:30pm Sat., June 24, 2023 @ 10am, 3pm
Lana’s Dance Studio is proud to showcase students from ages 2 through adults in their 44th recital, Take the Stage. A wide variety of styles in Tap, Hip Hop, Jazz, Ballet, Lyrical and Musical Theater will be performed. The event organizers state that this is “a fun and entertaining show that any age will enjoy”.
From the Event Organizers: “Come watch Silicon Valley’s largest dance studio display their talent and passion in their annual recital. Performances from children ages 2-17 and adults will be proudly presented for friends, family and the community as we celebrate all these dance students have accomplished in the 2022-2023 season.” Performances: Sat., June 17, 2023 @ 10am, 3pm Sun., June 18, 2023 @ 10am, 3pm