Spring is here and in the dance world that means a colorful blooming of performances, festivals and celebrations. One of the most exciting of these offerings is Luna Dance Institute’s 20 Points of View: a peek into dance-making on Thursday, April 26^th from 9am – 7pm. Now in its 7^th year, this free, day-long, open-studio event affords audience members an opportunity to see the choreographic process in action. Luna has invited 20 local choreographers to have 30 minutes each to use its studio space as they choose. This might include setting work, rehearsing, improvising, trying out a new idea and soliciting audience feedback or any other host of creative ways in which choreographers practice their art form.

When it was first conceived, 20 Points of View was developed in an effort to bridge the gap for viewers and dance aficionados between what takes place in a dance class and the polished final product performed  on the proscenium arch. Luna examined the vast space between these two experiences and found that what was missing was an opportunity to witness, ask questions about and perhaps, even participate in the wide open space of creating art. Foregrounding its values of inquiry, creativity and equity in all programming, Luna invited a group of dance-makers diverse in dance practice, age and background to be part of this inaugural event. Luna opened its doors to community members, school children, preschools and local policy leaders to come and watch this fresh approach to viewing dance. And, it has blossomed ever since!

I spoke with one of this year’s featured choreographers and past participant, Janet Collard, about the event. Collard, a performer and creator at the crossroads of dance and theater, is interested in telling stories through movement, text and song/music. She seamlessly and effortlessly weaves together all these modalities to create work that is at once exciting and poignant. Collard shared with us that this year she’ll be offering a sneak-peek into new material from her evening-length dance theater work “Performing Valeska”. She’ll share her process in developing it and how she puts all the pieces together. When I asked Collard what keeps her coming back each year she responded, “I love the open concept of 20 Points of View. It’s a free space to share, to workshop, to get feedback if you want it.  It’s a very low pressure environment and always proves valuable to me in whatever phase my work is in.” Other featured choreographers this year also include Claudine Naganuma, Kim Ip, Antwan Davis, For Change Dance Collective, Bahiya Movement and Zoë Klein.

Luna Dance Institute’s

20 Points of View: a peek into dance-making

Thursday April 26^th, 2019

9am – 7pm

605 Addison St, Berkeley, CA 94710

For questions or large group reservations contact chill@lunadanceinstitute.org:  FREE