A Celebration of Dance

It was spectacular! The Center’s Tour de Force: A Gala Dance Spectacular on May 21 showcased many of the world’s most brilliant dancers in both classical and contemporary repertory. The evening included the world premiere of a new work by Boris Eifman created for and danced by Nikolay Tsiskaridze (pictured left).

Dancers came from the Berlin State Ballet, Bolshoi Ballet, Complexions Dance Company, Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, Mariinsky Theater and The National Ballet of Canada for this evening that had dance fans from throughout Southern California on their feet cheering. (Pictured right: Bernice Coppieters and Chris Roelandt.) It has been a week of wonderful dance at the Center with the Eifman Ballet performing the Southern California premiere of Onegin, Tour de Force, a master class conducted by Tsiskaridze and a cast party on Thursday night following Tour de Force hosted by South Coast Plaza in their Jewel Court.

If it is possible to point to a highlight, it was the presentation of Russia’s Golden Mask Award to Center President Terry Dwyer (pictured left). The Golden Mask is Russia’s highest artistic honor, and three were awarded for Diana Vishneva: Beauty in Motion during the April ceremony in Moscow. Beauty in Motion was a Center co-commission with Ardani Artists that received its world premiere in Segerstrom Hall in February, 2008. Vishneva presented it to Dwyer following Tour de Force in front of the evening’s dancers and the audience. The Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg continues to perform Onegin through Sunday, May 24.

All photos by Gene Schiavone.