Swayze to swing into CaDance gala

The Gallimaufry Performing Arts CaDance Festival is bringing in heavy

star power: Patrick Swayze will be the featured guest at the gala

reception Saturday night at Laguna Art Museum.

Swayze fits the bill with his outstanding acting and dancing

ability, perhaps best showcased in the 1997 hit movie “Dirty

Dancing.”

His career includes popular favorites “Ghost” and “Point Break.”

Swayze’s dancing career is esteemed as well. He has been with the

Houston Jazz Ballet Company, Harkness Ballet Theater School in New

York, Joffrey Ballet Company and Eliot Feld Ballet Company.

With only three days left in this first-ever dance fest, it’s not

too late to take a specialized master class, see a performance by an

internationally or nationally known dance company or attend the gala

performance and reception Saturday night.

Swayze will introduce the CaDance Festival and its artistic

director Jodie Gates at the gala, which features performances by Tony

Award-nominated dancer Desmond Richardson, Meg Paul and Christopher

Body from the Broadway hit “Movin’ Out,” the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet,

Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Joaquin De Luz and Miranda Weese

of New York City Ballet.

I had the pleasure of seeing the spectacular Richardson and

Complexions perform at the CaDance Dance Day in May. Their

performances were absolutely breathtaking. It was a thrill to

interview Richardson at a private reception following the event. He

is quite affable.

I was able to interview Weese before the festival when she was in

New York. She has been the principal dancer of the New York City

Ballet for 14 years.

Weese learned about the festival through her former ballet

teacher, Shery Gilbert, who founded Laguna Dance Theatre. Weese was

her first student.

“I grew up in Santa Ana and would commute every day to study,”

Weese said.

“The dance festival is a good idea, opening up the possibility for

people to see other styles, techniques and companies that aren’t as

well known,” she added. “It’s a great thing, one of the reasons I

wanted to be a part of it.

“It’s a rare opportunity to see other styles and other companies,”

Weese said. “It’s a myth that only the major companies are the best

out there.”

Weese has been dancing since she was 7, and by the age of 12 she

knew she wanted to be with the New York City Ballet. She started as

an apprentice in 1990.

“It was definitely my dream,” Weese said. “I grew up watching all

different styles and companies -- when I saw the New York City

Ballet, I knew.”

Gallimaufry founder and director Steve Josephson says he’s

thrilled with the response of the city to the nine-day festival.

“This festival is happening only because the city of Laguna Beach

has embraced it,” Josephson said.

Information: (949) 499-5060 or visit o7www.cadancefestival.com.

f7

Splash: 20 years old and still going strong

Al Roberts and Ken Jillson are true gems in this town. Having

founded AIDS Services Foundation 20 years ago, their annual Splash

fundraiser is always a huge success. The 2005 “Splashback to the

Starlite Drive-In” on Sept. 23 and 24 exceeded their expectations.

The sold-out show kept the audience captive. I’m already panting

in anticipation of next year’s show.

Honored event celebrity Ethan Stiefel, an international ballet

phenomenon, had a great time.

“In my line of work, I get to travel the world, but anytime you

get an offer to come to Laguna Beach, you don’t pass it up,” Stiefel

said. “The town’s beauty is only outdone by its benevolence, as

witnessed here tonight,” he said on Sept. 24. “AIDS has affected the

arts community hard, and anytime I get the chance to help I do. I

have many friends here in Laguna too ... so it was a no-brainer to be

here in Laguna tonight to enjoy, to visit and to give.”

Tod A. Kubo not only co-directed and co-wrote this year’s Splash,

he did an amazing job with the choreography. Though his talent seen

at Splash is no surprise, it’s wonderful to experience. I’m thrilled

Kubo is back with Laguna Beach Dance Company at the high school after

leaving for a sabbatical last year.

Kubo said AIDS Services Foundation’s track record of excellence is

one important reason people keep contributing.

“People continue to contribute and hold that commitment year after

year because the organization is run so well,” Kubo said. “They want

to know where their money is going.”

Even though Roberts is stepping down as board president, he will

stay just as involved.

Kubo said that Roberts’ legacy as president will persist.

“Al Roberts is an incredible leader. I feel very, very honored and

blessed to work with him over the last nine years,” Kubo said.

Museum Auction coming

I’m looking forward to attending Laguna Art Museum’s 23rd annual

Art Auction from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. I haven’t missed a

year yet. This year, for the first time, the museum used a juried

selection process, which will bring emerging talent as well as

well-known artists into the auction mix. In addition to the exciting

auction, tasty hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served. Tickets are

$125. Information: (949) 494-8971 or o7www.lagunaartmuseum.org.

f7