As part of its 15th season, the Laguna Dance Festival presents a dance lecture with BLACK GRACE, the critically-acclaimed New Zealand dance company!  Founded by Neil Ieremia in 1995, BLACK GRACE combines traditional Maori and Pacific Islander dance with modern, and hip-hop creating innovative dance works reaching across social, cultural, and generational barriers.  The evening takes the form of a dance lecture with demonstration allowing viewers to experience BLACK GRACE in a rehearsal setting.  The meanings of some movements will be described, as well as themes behind the selected repertoire.

“Bringing Black Grace to Laguna Beach is a real coup for us,” said founder and artistic director Jodie Gates. “They come to us fresh from their run at the Joyce Theater in New York City as part of their national tour. We are eager to offer the community this rich, informal, entertaining dance experience in an unconventional venue."

BLACK GRACE - New Zealand’s leading contemporary dance group - Neil Ieremia draws from his Samoan and New Zealand roots creating innovative dance works.
The work itself is highly physical, rich in the story telling traditions of the South Pacific and expressed with raw finesse, unique beauty and power.  The Company features some of New Zealand’s finest dancers and has toured internationally to Europe, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Australia and New Caledonia. In 2004 Black Grace made its USA debut performing a sold out season at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, with a subsequent return to the Festival in 2005. Since then the Company has performed regularly throughout North America earning audience acclaim.