It took the force of a hurricane to bring such diverse dancers of hip-hop, flamenco, ballet, and swing to the Moorpark College stage at one time.
Though the number of performers nearly equaled the number of the audience, “Artists for Katrina” raised close to $1,000 on Friday evening for the American Red Cross in the effort to relieve the distress caused by Hurricane Katrina earlier this month.
The performers said that the disaster made it possible to join Director Marilyn Anderson and Co-Producers Carie Salas and Joey Lettery in putting together the event in only two weeks’ time with no rehearsal and no regular tech staff.
“It was an absolute tremendous show of support from the art community to see so many artists express their support for the fundraising effort,” said Moorpark College Dean of Student Learning Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh. “It was based on a lot of good will. I think, that the show came together at all.”
“Artists for Katrina” is one of the latest events designed to raise money for Katrina vic-tims. Area events have included the Cajun music benefit concert at Rancho Simi Park in Simi Valley, a food share in Oxnard for the United Way, and the Alpha Gamma Sigma sale of Mardi Gras beads at Ventura College.
“I appreciated everybody’s cooperation considering the time we had to prepare,” said Vanessa O’Neil, a Cypress College flamenco dance student. “The main reason we put this together was for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and it wouldn’t have happened if it weren’t for that.”
The variety of performances featured something for every kind of audience. While many enjoyed the more contemporary acts, such as The Beacon Street Dance Project’s dramatic modern dance piece, some of the older audience preferred to stick with the more traditional forms of dancing, such as the Agoura Hills Dance Center’s fast-paced couple tap dance, “Thunderstruck”.
“I didn’t understand those girls dancing around in their underwear like that,” said Agoura Hills resident Marlene Yamada. “I mean, are they trying to give some kind of message here or what? But I liked that couple toward the end who tap-danced.”
The evening also showcased the talents of theater arts faculty instructor Lisa Locke with her partner Nathan Kim, and many students from the Moorpark College dance program.
Several performers traveled from Los Angeles to participate, including Cypress College flamenco dance student O’Neil, and modern dance companies The Beacon Street Dance Project and Marie Hoffman and Dancers.
Local dance companies Ballet Arts from Westlake Village and Agoura Hills Dance Cen-ter also performed.
Self-proclaimed “professional” drum circle facilitator Pete Allison led the audience in a jam session between performances.
While Co-Producer Carie Salas said that she won’t produce another benefit show in the near future, she will have a part in several upcoming events, including “Random Thoughts”, a series of original works by faculty, guest artists, and selected student choreographers in jazz, ballet, tap and modern dance. The performances are set for Oct. 21 and 22 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. at the main stage of the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center.
To donate to the American Red Cross for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800 435 7669.
