Celebrating 20 years of dance in Laguna Beach and beyond with the phenomenal BalletX from Philadelphia. Principal guest artists from Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, JA Collective, and choreography by Dwight Rhoden, Jillian Meyers, and Jodie Gates, Dancing by our Laguna Dance Young Artist Scholarship recipients, and SO MUCH MORE!

Thursday, February 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM

An Evening with BalletX and Live Music

"Daring, enigmatic, beautiful" - FJORD REVIEW

BalletX, Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet company, unites artistic innovation with technical excellence to forge new works of athleticism, emotion, and grace. Founded in 2005 and led by Artistic & Executive Director Christine Cox, the company has commissioned nearly 80 choreographers from around the world to produce 140 world premieres that are “fresh, inclusive, and connect to what people want” (Philadelphia Citizen). BalletX returns to us with all Laguna premieres including:

• Honey, choreography by Jamar Roberts, music by Don Shirley

• Mapping Out a Sky, choreography by Matthew Neenan, music inspired by Stephen Sondheim

• World Premiere, choreography by Jodie Gates. A collaboration with the Laguna Beach Music Festival, music by Sergei Rachmaninoff.

                                                            Running time: 1 Hour 15 minutes including post show Q & A

Friday, February 7, 2025 | 7:30 PM

Featuring BalletX

“among America’s best” - The New York Times 

BalletX is Philadelphia’s premier contemporary ballet company, unites artistic innovation with technical excellence to forge new works of athleticism, emotion, and grace. “fresh, inclusive, and connect to what people want” (Philadelphia Citizen). BalletX returns to us with Laguna premieres of three thrilling dance works including two by nationally recognized women choreographers, Jennifer Archibald and Jodie Gates, and Become a Mountain by Tony Award Winner, Justin Peck!

Beautiful Once, music by Oscar nominated composer Ryan Lott of Son Lux. Choreography by Jodie Gates

Become a Mountain, Choreography by Tony Award winner Justin Peck. Music by Dan Deacon

Exalt, music design by Foremost Poets, choreography by Jennifer Archibald

Running time: 1 hour 45 minutes with one intermission

Saturday, February 8, 2025 | 7:30 PM

STARS OF DANCE - 20th ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE - 

One Night Only!

Be swept away into a star-studded evening filled with dance stars from across the nation. From New York City and Boston to Houston and back to LA and the OC, this show features principal guest dancers Viktorina Kapitonova and Daniel Rubin from Boston Ballet, the sensational duo of JA Collective, Laguna favorites and principal dancers from Houston Ballet, Beckanne Sisk and Chase O’Connell, Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez from Joffrey Ballet, and nationally recognized artists Jillian Meyers and Jake Tribus. Experience world-class classical ballet, tap, and contemporary choreographic works by Helen Pickett, Jodie Gates, JA Collective & Jillian Meyers. And add a sprinkle of Laguna Dance’s Young Artist Scholarship Winners along with dance majors from UC Irvine and the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance!

Running Time: 1 hour 45 minutes with one intermission

Sunday, February 9, 2025 | 2:00 PM

STARS OF DANCE 20th ANNIVERSARY PERFORMANCE–One Day Only!

Be swept away into a star-studded afternoon filled with dance stars from across the nation and local talent. New York City to Chicago to Houston and back to LA and the OC, this show features live music accompanying guest dancers Jillian Davis, April Watson and Joe González from Complexions Contemporary Ballet, dancing Dwight Rhoden’s iconic works Elegy and Ave Maria. This thrilling afternoon also features principal dancers Beckanne Sisk and Chase O’Connell from Houston Ballet, Jeraldine Mendoza and Dylan Gutierrez from Joffrey Ballet, JA Collective, Jillian Meyers, and Jake Tribus. Experience world-class classical ballet, tap, and contemporary choreographic works by Jodie Gates, JA Collective, Dwight Rhoden and Jillian Meyers. And add a sprinkle of Laguna Dance’s Young Artist Scholarship Winners along with dancers from Chapman University!

Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes with one intermission

Created in 2005 by Founder & Artistic Director, Jodie Gates, Laguna Dance is a nonprofit organization deeply dedicated to the arts and community. The award-winning organization is committed to collaboration, dance presentation, and education through an artistic lens that strategizes innovative ways to commission artists, educate young dancers, and unite people of all ages and cultures. LD has presented world-class dance performances on stage, film, and public spaces to expose new audiences to professional concert dance. Opportunities for aspiring artists through master classes, workshops, intensive programs, performance opportunities, and scholarships continue to be offer and provided by Laguna Dance each year.

OUR MISSION:

“To present world-class dance performance, increase public appreciation for the art, and provide quality dance education.”