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Cowell Theater
Dance takes center stage at the Cowell Theater this month in the form of three dance performances, the first two from dancers at the start of their careers, and the last from professional dancers from leading Bay Area companies.
 The first weekend of the month City Ballet School, in association with City Youth Ballet, presents its annual Spring Showcase. This year the young dancers — ages six to 17 — perform Carnival of the Animals, a full-length production set to the music of Camille Saint-SaÎns.
In this new production, choreographed by Yuri Zhukov, two children find themselves in a zoo after hours, where they encounter an astonishing array of furry and some not-so-furry creatures.
City Ballet School provides a high level of ballet training in the classical Russian Vaganova style. Many students go on to professional dance companies or prestigious university programs.
 The school’s artistic director, Galina Alexandrova, is a former dancer with the Bolshoi, San Francisco, and Smuin Ballet companies.
For more information about Carnival of the Animals, see June 3. For more information about the ballet school, visit www.cityballetschool.org.
Choreography from the legendary George Balanchine is the highlight when Chamberdance presents its annual spring performances with the Academy of Ballet. “Who Cares?” — with music by George Gershwin — is a carefree tribute to exuberant Hollywood musicals. Also on the program are “More Songs,” a series of duets, trios, and group dances choreographed by Chamberdance artistic director Richard Gibson to Felix Mendelssohn‘s ”Lieder ohne Worte” and a pas de quatre from P.I. Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake.
 Chamberdance offers young pre-professional and professional dancers the opportunity to perform a wide range of classical and contemporary works as part of a dynamic ensemble. This performance marks Chamberdance’s 10th year of presenting joint performances with the Academy of Ballet, both under the co-directorship of Gibson and Zory Karah. All of the Chamberdance company members have studied at the Academy of Ballet and many have gone on to professional careers with national and international ballet companies.
For more information on Chamberdance and the June performances see June 17 and www.chamberdancesf.org.
Allegro Theater Company returns to Fort Mason Center the last weekend in June with Choreographers and Friends 2006. The program of live music and world premieres features works from some of the Bay Area’s most exciting choreographers — Val Caniparoli, Julia Adam, Corinne Blum, and Richard Gibbs (company founder) — with performances by dancers from some of the area’s leading ballet companies.
 Choreographers and Friends 2006 is the story of one young dancer’s encounter with the world of dance. The piece utilizes a wide spectrum of music from that of 18th century composer Giuseppe Tartini to George Gershwin to Fats Waller, Phillip Glass, and Uri Caine. Musicians include Jack Gibbons, renowned for his piano transcriptions and recordings of the music of Gershwin.
Allegro Theater Company is dedicated to using dance as a core element of theatrical productions and has co-produced award-winning musicals, including Beggarís Holiday.
For more information, see June 23 and www.allegrotheater.org.
– Jovanne Reilly
Image & Photos (from top): Carnival Of The Animals, Illustration: Yuri Zhukov (top); Photo: Benny Eder (second from top) Chamberdance, Photo: Edward Casati (third from top); Allegro Theater Company, Photo: Walter Swarthout (bottom)
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