Dance/USA On Tour Brings Professional Development Programs to Support and Advance the Dance Community in Los Angeles

Los Angeles - The Music Center of Los Angeles County, in collaboration with Dance/USA, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center and the Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles brings Dance/USA On Tour to Los Angeles April 13-15, 2007.

Dance/USA On Tour provides the Los Angeles dance community with professional development seminars, panel discussions and workshops led by top-level professionals in the dance and performing arts field and features some of Los Angeles' top arts advocates, administrators and presenters.

Activities include one-on-one sessions with development specialist David Bury on Friday, April 13 at the Music Center of Los Angeles County in Downtown L.A. and Saturday, April 14 at the Veteran's Memorial Complex in Culver City; a panel discussion titled "Resource Development: New Ways to Develop Your Reach at Home and On the Road" on Saturday, April 14 at the Veteran's Memorial Complex in Culver City; and a Community Dance Forum on Sunday, April 15 at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo, Downtown L.A. Specific details follow.

In (August 2006) Jane Jelenko, a founding member of the Music Center's Center Dance Association, read a thought provoking article by LA Times dance critic Lewis Segal. Inspired and motivated to respond, she called for a forum to discuss the ongoing development of dance in Los Angeles. That call to action, with the support of the Music Center, prompted the creation of a dance forum planning committee consisting of 17 diverse individuals, representing dance artists, educators, presenters, donors, patrons, and political leaders.

The Community Dance Forum is a direct result of that effort and a collaborative endeavor between the Music Center, Dance Resource Center and Dance/USA. In addition to plenary speaker Joe Goode of Joe Goode Performance Group in San Francisco, the forum offers the public an opportunity to actively participate in the discussion.

"We are pleased to collaborate with these organizations and highlight the importance of dance to Los Angeles," states Renae Williams, Music Center Director of Dance Presentations. "We are especially proud of the work that has gone on to create the Community Dance Forum and the tremendous dedication and commitment of dance advocates who believe Los Angeles offers a thriving and enriching environment for the development and presentation of dance."

Dance/USA On Tour is generously supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts, and in Los Angeles by the James Irvine Foundation. The Community Forum of this event is produced by Dance at the Music Center with generous support from the Annenberg Foundation.

For more detailed information about Dance/USA On Tour or to register, visit danceusa.org or call 626-369-9794.

SEMINAR/ WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS

Creative Engagement: Strategies For Fundraising Success - FULL
13 Individualized one-on-one sessions with fundraising consultant David Bury
Friday, April 13: 9:30am to 5pm at Music Center in Downtown LA
Saturday, April 14: 10am to 4:30pm at Veterans Memorial Complex in Culver City

Fee: $40 if registered by April 6th. $50 if registering after April 6th.

This is an amazing opportunity to get feedback and advice from one of the best in the business. David Bury danceusa.org has been in the field for many years, and has worked with individuals, companies and organizations around the world. This inspiring individualized review will provide the concepts, knowledge and skills needed to design and implement effective fundraising programs, regardless of your company's size. Addressing specific interests, including the obstacles that can frustrate small dance companies' development initiatives, together you will craft creative strategies appropriate to your particular situations.

Available slots will be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please call Deborah Rosen at (626) 396-9794 or email Deborah to reserve your space. Please remit payment once your time is confirmed. You will receive information about materials you will need to bring to this session.

Geared Towards: Individuals and organizations at all levels

Fee: $15 if registered by April 6th. $20 if registering on site after April 6th.

Hear from managers, presenters and arts advocates about how you can promote relationships to expand presentations and audiences at home, as well as on tour. In our current world, is touring even viable? How do you know if you're ready to tour; what are the readiness factors? The panel will touch on working with your audiences, the grant application process, residencies and on issues of marketing, presenting and exchanged performances; handouts will be available. A group discussion will follow the panel presentation.

Moderator: Danielle Brazell
Panelists: Linda Chiavaroli - Director of Communications Los Angeles County Arts; Leo Garcia - Executive Director/Artistic Director of Highways Performance Space; Laurel Kishi, Gayle Leonard-Hooks - President of Lucas LaFrance Associates; and Peter Lesnik - Executive Director at Carpenter Center, CSULB

Geared Towards: Emerging and mid-career artists and companies

This day-long gathering is free, with a minimal charge for food costs ($12 if registered before April 6th; $15 if registering after April 6th.)

After morning coffee and pastry, the plenary speaker, Joe Goode of Joe Goode Performance Group in San Francisco, will talk about creating community. He will provide many examples of the positive growth that occurred when the widely diverse Bay Area dance community joined forces towards common goals. During and after lunch, breakout groups will provide opportunities for meaningful information sharing and dialogue among colleagues and friends. Participants will have the opportunity to discuss common aspirations, create a unified vision and set priorities and strategies for the Los Angeles dance community. Resource tables will provide a variety of information on local/national resources and services for the field. The day will end with a celebratory toast to the Los Angeles Dance Community.

Event facilitated by Romalyn Tilghman.

Moderator: David Gere
Breakout session moderators: Julie Carson, David Plettner, Elizabeth Kennedy, and Cynthia Campoy-Brophy.

Geared Towards: The entire professional and commercial dance community is welcome!