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Mojalet Dance Collective to share its Rancho Bernardo stage with other artists this summer

Mojalet Dance Collective to share its Rancho Bernardo stage with other artists this summer

Mojalet Dance Collective’s 15th annual summer season will feature 10 shows with dance styles ranging from contemporary and modern to tap, Indian classical and belly dancing.

The shows begin this weekend and run through late September. One show, “It Takes Two,” will feature singers instead of dancers.

Many are returnees, but some artists performed as parts of other groups and a couple are newcomers to Mojalet’s stage at The Vine Theater in Rancho Bernardo, said artistic director Faith Jensen-Ismay.

“The whole goal, the mission of Mojalet, is to help the artists have opportunities on a regular basis to create and present their works,” she said. “Sustaining the arts in San Diego is tricky, but that is the goal for us.”

A county grant presented by District 2 Supervisor Joel Anderson has covered most of the production costs, so Mojalet can share share most of the ticket proceeds with the performing groups, Jensen-Ismay said.

Having locally-produced artistic performances is beneficial to the community’s “body, mind and spirit,” she added.

All groups, with the exception of Shimmy Studios, will perform Saturday shows at 7 p.m. and two Sunday shows at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Shimmy Studios is only presenting two shows on Saturday, Sept. 28, set for 4:30 and 7 p.m.

Shimmy Studios dancer Shani Brown will be among those presenting belly dancing and Egyptian cultural dances during the group's two shows on Sept. 28. (Silvia Elana Marques)
Shimmy Studios dancer Shani Brown will be among those presenting belly dancing and Egyptian cultural dances during the group’s two shows on Sept. 28. (Silvia Elana Marques)

Mojalet’s Collage Contemporary Dance Group will open the summer season with shows on July 20 and 21. The performances will feature a mix of tap to contemporary dance including solos and large ensemble pieces choreographed by Jensen-Ismay, Jasmyn Hamblin, Roberta Ruocco, Luis Lopez, Jessica Reed and the California Rhythm Project.

H20 Dance Company presents “Jubilee” on July 27 and 28. The shows will feature choreography by founder/director Rebekah Brown. There will be three works premiering, including “Cuban Swing.” Returning is crowd favorite “Jubilee” set to Oliver Davis’ album “Dance.”

Mojalet’s Core Group Dance Company will present an eclectic blend of contemporary works choreographed by Jensen-Ismay, Janet Alvis and Christina Wurts. A couple of repertoire pieces including Mojalet’s 2006 “Storm” will be performed, but the majority is new dances choreographed by the dancers themselves.

“It’s really exciting because they had a lot of creative ideas,” Jensen-Ismay said about the shows on Aug. 10 and 11. “There is not usually a platform for semi-professional dancers to share their choreography, just perform (other’s work).”

California Rhythm Project’s “TapRoots” on Aug. 17 and 18 will feature dances that celebrate African American tap dancers spanning from Bill “Bojangles” Robinson to Arthur Duncan.

“Shift” will feature choreography by Blythe Barton, Erica Buechner and Cecily Holcombe on Aug. 24 and 25. The show focuses on adaptation and transformation as dancers explore the shift of emotion, perspective and movement. While Holcombe has performed with Mojalet before, this is the first time her choreography will be shown here, Jensen-Ismay said.

Singers Loren Fisk and Donna Albanese-Jones will present “It Takes Two” on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 as part of Mojalet’s summer series. (Courtesy of Mojalet Dance Collective)

Singers Donna Albanese-Jones and Loren Fisk are returning this summer to present “It Takes Two” on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. The duo’s repertoire includes jazz, R&B, Motown and songs from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s chosen to get the audience dancing.

The singers were guest artists last year during the “Johnny’s Jukebox Review” show, Jensen-Ismay said.

Betzi Roe will perform with Mojalet dancers on Sept. 7 and 8. Roe’s work is mostly contemporary modern in style. Mojalet will be bringing back “Painted,” which premiered last year.

Mojalet Dance Collective, the company’s professional dancers, will present new and revised works choreographed by Jensen-Ismay on Sept. 14 and 15. The contemporary pieces will vary from intimate to athletic, with sweeping patterns and playful interactions.

Sannidhi Performing Arts will present “Sri rama Jayam – an ode to Lord Rama” on Sept. 21 and 22. The Indian classical dancers under the direction of Divya Devaguptapu will perform “Ramayana,” the story of King Rama, one of the most important epics in Indian culture, according to the show’s description.

The mythical story also gives life lessons on devotion, righteousness, valor, justice and finding the light within oneself.

Closing out the summer season will be Shimmy Studios, with two performances on Saturday, Sept. 28. The show will feature belly dancing, Egyptian cultural dances and a fusion of other styles, Jensen-Ismay said.

Tickets to all shows are $21 for general admission and $16 for those under age 10. Buy at mojalet.com. For questions, call 858-243-1402.

All shows will be presented in The Vine Arts Village at Oaks North Plaza, 12540 Oaks North Drive. It is a 42-seat space, so the audience will have “an up-close and intimate viewing experience,” Jensen-Ismay said. “There are no bad seats.”

 

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