Summer Arts Preview 2012: Dance
Seasonal Highlights Include National Dance Day, UCSB Summer Program
National Dance Day at Various Locations
Whether you’re a seasoned dancer or a casual Dancing with the Stars viewer, National Dance Day boasts something for you. The annual event invites studios and companies from across the county to descend on downtown Santa Barbara for two hours of professional public dancing — all styles welcome. Contemporary troupes will strut their stuff on the steps of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, jazz and hip-hop students will bust moves throughout Paseo Nuevo, and flamenco, salsa, ballet, folk, and modern dancers will be positioned in various locations stretching from Sola to Gutierrez streets. Think of it like those flash mob videos you’ve seen on YouTube but in real life and in your backyard. Mayor Helene Schneider will also be on hand to open the event. Saturday, July 28, 1 p.m. Call 966-6950 or visit sbdancealliance.org.
Summer Dances 2012 at UCSB’s HSSB Ballet Studio Theater
Summer may be a slow season for the dance community at large, but don’t tell that to UCSB’s Department of Theater and Dance. This August, a collection of the school’s ballet, jazz, and modern dance undergrads will present an entire bill of technique demonstration. The night will also feature works choreographed by both UCSB faculty and a handful of guest artists. Because the department’s summer sessions are smaller, this show is one of the few productions that incorporates all of the currently enrolled students — and features myriad manner of skills sets and styles — on one bill, and the variety promises to keep audiences guessing. Wednesday, August 1, and Thursday, August 2, 8 p.m. Call 893-3022 or visit theaterdance.ucsb.edu.
More Dance
Summer Solstice – Various locations, Saturday, June 23.
Fanishwar Bhasker Masterclass – Theatre D, Friday, June 29.
Still Life, presented by Daughter of Zion – Theatre D, Saturday, June 30.
Special Intensive, presented by Dance Arts and Destination Dance – Santa Barbara Dance Arts, Monday, July 2; Tuesday, July 3; and Thursday, July 5.
Dance Camp Performance, presented by Goleta School of Ballet – Center Stage Theater, Saturday, July 7.
Santa Barbara French Festival – Oak Park, Saturday, July 14, and Sunday, July 15.
