COSA presents “Migration” performs Jan 21 @ 7:00 p.m.
Coronado, CA- On January 21, 2017, for one night only, over 20 Coronado School of the Arts (COSA) Dance Division alumni spanning years 1996 to 2016 will come together to perform “Migration,” an hour-long, one-of-a-kind dance concert, at 7:00 PM on the stage of the Coronado Performing Arts Center. This exceptional event is the brainchild of Betzi Roe, considered one of the pioneers of modern dance in San Diego. Roe has directed the CoSA Dance Division for the past twenty years. The conservatory-style CoSA program, located on the campus of Coronado High School, begins at the end of each academic day and provides participants rigorous training in dance, theatre, digital arts, music or visual arts. Dedicated COSA students form strong bonds with peers and faculty. COSA graduates stay connected over the years. “Migration” provides an opportunity for these talented artists to come together to showcase their talent and celebrate the place where their artistic journey took flight.
Roe based this piece on what she felt was a migration back to San Diego by her former dance students. She observed that many who had pursued careers nationally or internationally were returning to San Diego. She wondered what it would be like to gather them together and create a piece that spoke of their experience. “I saw this phenomenon as a kind of migration,” said Roe, “departing, journeying, and returning.” She had overwhelming responses from Alumni ranging in age from 19 to 37. Some had continued to dance, others took different paths, but all stayed physically active and maintained connections to dance and the arts. Bringing all these divers technical levels together fostered a process of developing metaphors of flying, flocking, landing, gathering, and dispersing in order to craft the dances. Additionally, dancers with strong technical skills such as professional circus performers Garrett Allen and Sadie Lindley, and Joshua Dunn and Sulijah Learmont who performed professionally in New York, bring acrobatic and physical dimensions to their duet choreography.
“Though a scheduling nightmare, this is one of the most exciting and gratifying projects that I have done in my 43 years as a choreographer in San Diego,” said Roe. “It’s quite an honor to have former students coming from London, New York, Tijuana, Phoenix, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Los Angeles participate in this project.” “Migration” is a testament to what CoSA achieves; training young people to become involved citizens by keeping art and culture alive via practice or support.
Tickets $18-$7 can be bought at the theater. For information about Migration or the CoSA program visit www.cosasandiego.com
Betzi Roe, Dance Department Chair of Coronado School of the Arts is interviewed by Alan Kinzel. EP- Patty Ducey-Brooks, David Kamatoy, Producer- Phillip Mychael Bonds, Talent- Alan Kinzel. Visit PresidioSentinel.com.
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