DECEMBER 2007

YOUNG DANCE VISIONARIES

Cowell Theater

The holidays are a time for celebrations and gatherings, especially among those who share an artistic vision. In December 2007, Dance Repertory/San Francisco (d-Rep/SF) and the California Dance Education Association bring together San Francisco (SF) Bay Area choreographers, high school, college, and professional dancers, and dance instructors in the Eighth Annual Vision Series Dance Festival.

Dance Repertory’s Executive/Artistic Director and founder Donette Heath created the d-Rep group in 1997. Starting in 1999, Dance Repertory’s Vision Series began uniting student and professional dancers, choreographers, and other creative people in order to share ideas and encourage diversity in dance. Since its inception, the series has showcased more than 425 choreographers and 1,900 performers from 33 high schools and dance studios, as well as 56 professional emerging companies and college dance programs.

Many styles and traditions of dance and performance are represented in the Vision Series, including modern dance, contemporary jazz, and ballet. One of the performers in the 2007 series, Damage Control Dance Company, fuses belly dance and modern dance movements in captivating performances.

More than two dozen independent and school dance groups share the stage during the two-day Vision Series showcase. The series commences in the Cowell Theater on December 8 with eclectic performances by the Branson Dance Performance Ensemble, De/Em Dance Collective, Carlmont Dance, Se.Da.Co, independence, Modesto Junior College Off~Balance Dance, Moreau Catholic High School, One Performing Arts Group, George Washington High School Dance Company, Kemp & Company, Donna Cerio’s Broadway Dance Company, and St. Mary’s College Dance Company.

The second day of the Vision Series features work by El Molino Dance Company, New Dance Company, Momentum Dance Company, Body Language, RoCo’s Youth Dance Company, DavisRossiDance, Mercy High School–Burlingame, Damage Control Dance Company, Maria Carillo High School Dance, Expressive Motion Dance Company, Lowell Dance Company, Davalos Dance Company, and Liz Coleman and Dancers.

Enjoy an engaging program of dance at the Vision Series. For more information, see December 8 and www.dancerepertory.org.

— Claudia Willen


Images
Moreau Catholic High School & Mercy High School, Burlingame, Photos: Andy Mogg