Spring Home Season, April 15-24, at YBCA Novellus Theater

Michael Montgomery and Keelan Whitmore, photo by RJ Muna

Laurel Keen: Simply an Artist

photo by Marty Sohl

Laurel's largest achievements are, according to King, "... her relentless investigation in movement exploration, her faultless honesty and sincerity, which allow no artifice, her ability to be rather than do, and an unflinching will that makes all things possible." Of her dancing, King has stated that, "regardless of any rigorous technical demand she remains present and drenched in grace and humanity. She is an exquisite shape-maker and a master of intricate subtleties of refinement and technical aplomb. Her clarity is like calligraphy carved in steel. I believe Laurel represents the next direction in dance that isn't encumbered by codifications of style or branding. She is simply an artist." 

This adoration, appreciation, and acclaim were reciprocated in a statement Laurel provided:  "I could not have dreamed of finding a better artistic home than the one I found in LINES. From the beginning, Alonzo made me feel confident in my voice, and being nourished in that way allowed me to grow not only as a dancer, but as a human being. It has been an honor working with all of the amazing dancers and staff over the last nine years, as we shared ideas, while moving towards the same goal. The biggest lesson that I will take with me from Alonzo and working with LINES is that art and life are truly interchangeable. We are all simply trying to better ourselves and the world around us and dance is one medium used to achieve that. So, although my medium may be changing, this way of interacting with the world is something I will continue. I am so incredibly grateful for this time and will always hold it with me fondly. No matter how our daily lives may scatter us, LINES is and will always be my family."  

Going forward, Laurel has plans that will elongate her connection to the dance community from a different vantage point. "I now plan to go back to school for physical therapy. It is something that I got inspired to do after going through a serious foot injury a couple of years ago that almost forced me to stop dancing. It made me realize how powerful the mind is, when overcoming an injury and how it is often overlooked during the recovery process. I hope to end up in a sports medicine setting, where I can help dancers and athletes recover physically and mentally in order to return to the art or sport that they love."

Without a doubt, the dance community will benefit greatly from her contributions as a physical therapist and will rejoice that she has not strayed too far. Her family at LINES Ballet wishes her the absolute best. 

Alonzo King LINES Ballet dedicates the final San Francisco performance with the Company, on Sunday, April 24, to Laurel.

The LINES Ballet BFA at Dominican is proud to present our second graduating class in the Senior Showcase at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts Novellus Theater, Tuesday, April 19 at 7pm. Join us in celebration of the accomplishments these young artists have made in their four year journeys. Purchase tickets online here. 

The program features original works by Nathan Trice (BNP Artist in Residence), Kara Davis, and Gregory Dawson. In addition, we are proud to present Long Flat Dry Plain, created by Alonzo King for the Tremplin Jeuenes Ballets as part of this past February's Monaco Dance Forum.

Make sure to catch the BFA Program's Spring Peformances, April 30 and May 1 at Angelico Hall, Dominican University, San Rafael. The students will present choreographic works by Yannis Adoniou, Christian Burns, Kara Davis, Gregory Dawson, and LINES Ballet dancer, Keelan Whitmore. For more information about the BFA Program, visit our website.  

Mark Your Calendar for the Summer Program Performances!

photo by Liza Voll

Just because you can't quite afford the $500 benefit level yet doesn't mean you don't deserve wine, cheese, and access to select seats! That's why LINES created Extensions, a collective of innovative young philanthropists dedicated to the creative advancement of Alonzo King LINES Ballet. On Thursday, April 21, Extensions will be hosting a Night at the Ballet event for both Extensions members and non-members. The event includes a pre-show wine and cheese reception in the greenroom starting at 6:15pm, followed by the Season performance at 7:30pm from some of the best seats in the house! Guests are welcome to stay afterward for a special Q&A with Alonzo King. 

Event tickets are $50, though Extensions members receive a 20% discount and pay only $40. Night at the Ballet tickets are almost sold-out, so make sure to purchase yours online today. 

The deadline for online ticket sales is Tuesday, April 19. To snag the 20% discount, become an Extensions member first by visiting our website. We look forward to toasting the Season with you on April 21!

Breton Tyner-Bryan, photo by Navid Bartay

It's time for our annual celebration of dance, Bay Area National Dance Week (BANDW). A part of the annual national event that runs during the month of April, BANDW runs April 23-May 1. At Alonzo King LINES Dance Center, BANDW will feature free classes, open rehearsals, and performances by participants in our winter workshops. You will find a detailed schedule of BANDW happenings at Alonzo King LINES Dance Center here.

Breton Tyner-Bryan will present another session of her Classical Variations Workshop series. The workshop is suitable for dancers of all levels of experience, and covers group dances and solos from Spartacus and Giselle. On the last day of the workshop, you will be able to perform for friends and family in an informal studio showing. The workshop will be held every Monday (except Memorial Day) from May 2-June 13 (sign up here).   

Cheryl Chaddick

Join Choreographer MJ Paul and 'Hairstylist to Drag Royalty' Becky Motorlodge at this year's PRIDE San Francisco. Kick start your summer and get a chance to perform Alexander O'Neal and Cherelle's dance classic, Saturday Love, during the 41st Annual PRIDE San Francisco. Think neon colors and pegged pants as students travel back to 1984 for this unique workshop. The workshop will be Wednesday nights, May 4-June 22. Sign up now.   

Cheryl Chaddick returns to teach two days of Contemporary/Modern dance workshop/Master Classes. Her style is a beautiful combination of strength and flexibility and she focuses on the ability to communicate and control the body through clear choice-making, while using different movement vocabularies. The Master Classes will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 21-22. You are welcome to drop-in for one day, or sign up for both days for a discount. for details.

Finally, Isadora Duncan Award winning performer, Nol Simonse will share his knowledge with beginning dancers in a Repertory Workshop every Saturday, April 23-May 28 from 10-11:30am. Sign up online today. 

For more information about any of our workshops, visit us online or call 415.863.3040 x221. As always, you can find our daily class schedule online. 

A Celebration of Generosity and Partnership   

Thursday, April 21, 2011 performance

Honorary Event Co-chairs: Bill T. Jones, Ntozake Shange and Alonzo King

Most people think that HIV is a man's disease.

Women now make up almost 1 in 3 new HIV infections in the US, and over half of the cases internationally. HIV is now the leading cause of death among Black women aged 25-34. Most HIV+ women struggle with stigma, shame, and isolation. This creates a silence about the epidemic that makes it much harder for HIV+ women to stay healthy and for the community to prevent new infections.  

The Women's HIV Program (WHP) at UCSF is responding.

WHP was among the first programs in the country for HIV+ women. In a safe space under one roof, WHP offers a unique "team approach" that includes social workers, therapists, pharmacists, nurses, physicians, and a community of HIV+ women. Because of WHP, women affected by HIV can be healthy and hopeful in their lives and develop the confidence to educate and protect their communities. 

·    All tickets purchased for the April 21 show benefit WHP. Purchase tickets with Yerba Buena online or by phone, 415.978.2787. 

·    VIP tickets ($125) include a special pre-performance reception and VIP seating. For VIP tickets or event sponsorship, please visit WHP online or call 415.353.2521.

For more information about the Season, visit our website.