SAN DIEGO–José Limón, the world-renown dancer and choreographer who died in 1972, was viscerally moved by the devastation of war-torn Europe in 1945 and its effect on the people of Poland when his dance company toured Europe funded by the US Department of State. The spirit and optimism of the people of Europe, as they began to rebuild their countries,inspired Limon to create Missa Brevis in 1958, a dance he described as “an act of faith.” Fransisco Ruvalcaba, principal dancer with the internationally acclaimed Jose Limon Dance Company, has restaged this classic Limon repertory piece, “Missa Brevis” as part of Spring Odyssey Dance Concert on April 22 and 23 at 7 p.m. and April 24 at 2 p.m. at School of Creative and Performing Arts’ Florence Johnson Grand Theater.
Ruvalcaba has taught and restaged Limon classics in many professional dance companies and universities throughout the United States and Mexico. SCPA is the only high school in the nation to be granted permission from the Jose Limon Dance Foundation for its students to learn and perform Missa Brevis, a dance that remains relevant today as the United States traverses through the tragedy of war throughout the Middle East and Africa. Missa Brevis, will be performed by 30 SCPA dancers and 3 Coronado School of the
Arts dancers.
The Spring Odyssey Dance Concert will also feature choreography by three other guest choreographers. Christopher Huggins, a former member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and noted as “Top 10 Artists to Watch” by Dance Magazine, returns for a second SCPA Spring Concert. As a revered international guest artist, with stunning choreography, he also teaches at Philadelphia’s University of the Arts. Hip Hop artist, Ruben Ludlow, Fusion, has choreographed/performed in professional commercial videos, tours, etc. with Beyonce, Akon, P. Diddy, Missy Elliott, Will Smith, Sisqo, Tyrese, Jagged Edge, the MTV VMA Awards and more. He is currently guest choreographer/performer for a new, hit show on GMA network in the Phillipines. Lauren Siino performances include ballet, jazz, contemporary and hip hop. She has performed with California Ballet, Unity and currently teaches at Culture Shock in San Diego.
School of Creative and Performing Arts is located at 2425 Dusk Dr. in San Diego.
Tickets to dance performances are $8 and $6 and may be purchased
through the SCPA Box Office at (619) 475-8556, or scpaboxoffice@yahoo.com.
