Encinitas Arts Festival and The Door is Open

1^st Annual Encinitas Arts Festival is being held on  Sat May 5 from 10am-4pm at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center (1141 Oakcrest Park Drive,Encinitas,  92024). More info: Jim Gilliam 760.633.2260 or 2746

I went to this arts day expecting to see adorable little children leaping and spinning, painting and pasting and I was not disappointed. Who can resist watching kids in a tutu?  But it was so much more. I saw an extraordinary African drum group with jiving dancers Diop Percu, swirling belly dancers Glitter Dance Company, a  sexy latin dancer with so many costume changes it was also a fashion show Ooh La La Dance Company , Polynesian and Tahitian dancers Kailani’s Wahines, singers and musicians Paris-Rio Connection , Bridget Dolkas, Lars Hoefs, Peter Sprague, and a reading of Russet written  by 12 year old Kira Nolan by the Playwrights Project . This was all pulled together by Jim Gilliam with help from Sandra Jordon from all over the Encinitas, Leucadia, Cardiff by the Sea district. With two major stages and workshops and art displays, this was a something for everyone event and too much for any one person to experience. For those of you who remember Brava put on by the Performing Arts League, this was like a mini version and could have the potential to be a revelation for those with little knowledge of the abundant talent of these cities who boast more artist per capita than any in our county.

The Door is Open: An Intergenerational Dance Project with Kira Carrillo Corser sets as recipient of the SD Foundation Creative Catalyst Grant is on May 18 at 8 pm and May19 2 & 8 pm presented by Jean Isaacs San Diego Dance Theater at  City College Saville Theatre 14th and C Street, SD 92101. More info: Toni Robin  619.225.1803

I went to this performance expecting to see elderly dancers leaping and spinning and although that did not happen, the younger dancers that were a collaborative part of this performance did not disappoint. Jean Isaacs’s super story telling through dance was aided by the sets by Kira Corser. I would have liked to have seen more interaction between the dancers and the graphic displayed, but the charming stories of the senior citizens were touchingly told and filmed by Ms. Corser and these snippets informed all the dance performances. We enjoyed the remembrances of a lovely fluffy pink dress, a cry to god for the disappointments, and a strong and agile lullaby to a pair of new twin grandchildren. The older dancers were so charming and gentile that this was a very special performance and it was a true privilege to see how the two generations of dancers interacted. We hope that the video made by Kira Corser will spread the word about how beneficial this type of interaction truly is in making our society