Jeanne Bochette, founder of Dance Bochette, continues a 61 year tradition with a corps of local dancers ages 3 through professional in Festival of Dance 2011 at 3:00 pm on Sunday, June 12 at Bishop Verot High School’s Anderson Theater. Since 1951, this annual event celebrates dance showcasing talent from the school, Gulfcoast Dance (this community’s young professional nonprofit company) and professional artists from the Gainseville based Dance Alive National Ballet.
Highlights of this year’s performance include a special appearance by Dance Alive National Ballet’s principal dancers Andre Valladon and Michelle Incollingo, who will perform a duet from the classic ballet Carmen and a contemporary piece, Fused Tutu.
Dance Alive, which is designated as the State of Florida Touring Company, has had a long partnership with Gulfcoast Dance. That collaboration brings to Fort Myers not only the powerful performances of Valladon and Incollingo but also a special presentation of two pieces from the Dance Alive repertoire. Under the direction of Dance Alive choreographer and director Judy Skinner, local dancers will perform two of the company’s classical jazz pieces: I Don’t Wanna Be Lost, featuring the music of the University of Florida gospel choir, and Psalm 150, danced to the sweet sounds of Doc Sevrenson’s horn and band. These gospel-inspired works promise to lift you form your seat.
The show celebrates multiple other forms of dance, from ballet to tap to modern, and features dancers ages 3 through adult. Enjoy Cuddly Ducks, Hippity Hoppity Frogs, by the festival’s youngest performers, sense the drama of the young Black Swan corps de ballet, feel the Flight of unrestrained modern dancers and smile at the flirtatious Java, a ballet piece set to Al Hirt’s trumpet.
General admission tickets are $12, available now or at the door on the day of the performance. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, please call 239.334.3274.