Spring Dance Celebration Highlights Cultural Diversity & World Dance

OCC Marketing & Public Relations

Apr 15, 2024

News Release

Orange Coast College's Dance Department will present its annual Spring Dance Celebration on Friday, April 26, and Saturday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. in the Robert B. Moore Theatre. Dance chair Rachel Berman and dance faculty Angelika Nemeth will co-direct this exhilarating evening titled This is Us.

This is Us will showcase the department's exceptional dancing and cultural diversity, highlighting its World Dance Program and featuring choreographic premieres by OCC students and faculty members Ms. Nemeth, Marru Mikaelian, and Monti Ellison. Ms. Nemeth will present a classical Egyptian piece (Raqs al Sharqi), Mr. Ellison a West African work, and Ms. Mikaelian will create a Polynesian dance dedicated to the Hawaiian island of Maui. In this work, students will perform a Hawaiian dance (hula) to the song Hanohano' O Maui, which celebrates the valley isle and its iconic landmarks.

"After the devastating Lahaina fire last August, I felt compelled to choreograph something to honor this historic place," says Ms. Mikaelian. I have fond memories of spending summers in Maui with my family and friends, experiencing many of these places first-hand. Maui holds such a special place in my heart and has greatly influenced my love of Polynesian dance and culture."

OCC students will premiere works in a captivating blend of various styles, including contemporary, Middle Eastern, Butoh, ballet, salsa, and Ukrainian folk dance. The title, This is Us, reflects the students' artistry and openness in addressing difficult subject matter, including mental health issues, loss, and depression- that young people are dealing with today.

Yaelisa, Emmy Award winner and one of her generation's most gifted Flamenco artists, will perform as a guest artist in the concert, as will Native American dancer Ba'ac of Redboy Productions.

Friday's performance is a special outreach show presented for free to elementary, middle, and high school students. The morning performance at 11 a.m. will showcase dance, music, costumes, and storytelling from around the world and feature guest artists from the American Ballet Theatre/ William J Gillespie School.

"This highly anticipated concert provides an opportunity to showcase our multi-talented dancers in works made by their faculty, peers, and guest choreographers at the top of the field," says Ms. Berman. "This is the time of year when our student choreographers explore their unique artistry in a main stage production. The merging of our previous World Dance Celebration with our Student Dance Concert fosters inclusivity and highlights all we offer here at OCC."

The 2024 dance scholarship awards will be presented on Saturday evening after the concert.