Dance Sampler Draws a Crowd Amid Sun and Sand

Amid the rush of traffic, squawk of parrots and occasional

Photos by Christine Rhoades "Bolero," one of the performances expected in the program for CaDance's fall festival. police

siren, an enthusiastic Main Beach crowd enjoyed a free, hour-long "Taste of CaDance" performance at what is the defacto town square earlier this month.

Dancer-choreographer Jodie Gates, a Laguna Beach resident and UC Irvine dance professor, recruited her students as well as pros from Philadelphia's BalletX company to perform in a tantalizing 12-dance program.

One of the highlights was an excerpt from "Bolero" choreographed by Gates, which will be performed by BalletX in full at the Laguna Dance Festival in October.

The new company, like others Gates has recruited for local performances, is rooted in the classical tradition, but brings a contemporary sensibility to the art form with choreography infused with athleticism and intimacy.

The crowd, too, had the opportunity to try out some new moves with a master class led by a graduate student.

Student dancers from the UCI Etude Ensemble in acation. Despite the usual beach attractions, dancers drew an appreciative crowd. Wanna-be dancers get in the act in a master class that followed the performance.