Bella
Lewitzky: The mesmerizing diva of the American contemporary dance art.
The
Lewitzky Dance Company in its farewell season will perform in Riverside and
Rolling Hills Estates in January; Mission Viejo, Chico, Santa Cruz, San Luis
Obispo, Santa Barbara, Chrystal Bay and Arcata in April; and the Gala Salute
to Bella Lewitzky on May 17 at the Harriet & Charles Luckman Fine Arts
Complex at California State University, Los Angeles. Other recipients of the
National Medal of Arts honored along with Bella Lewitzky were Edward Albee,
playwright; Sarah Caldwell, opera conductor; Harry Callahan, photographer,
Zelda Fichandler, theater director; Eduardo "Lalo" Guerrero, composer,
musician; Lionel Hampton, musician, bandleader; Vera List, patron of the
arts; Robert Redford, actor, director, producer; Maurice Sendak, author,
illustrator, designer; Stephen J. Sondheim, composer, lyricist; and Boys
Choir of Harlem, arts organization.
ABOUT LEWITZKY DANCE
The Lewitzky Dance Company is a chamber-size ensemble of solo-calibre artists devoted to maintaining the Lewitzky repertoire, choreographing new works and developing audiences for dance through touring, workshops and demonstrations. The company tours nationally and internationally for six months each year. To date, it has performed in 43 states, 20 countries and four continents. The remaining six months are spent in Los Angeles, performing, training and creating new works. Pity, the1996-1997 was the last season.
" I've been struggling in dance for 28 years..."
Bella Lewitzky has been changing the landscape and definition of her magnificent art for more than five decades, first as a legendary dancer and then as one of modern dance's premier choreographers. This year the West Coast's leading representative of modern dance celebrates her 80th birthday as well as the 30th season of her company, The Lewitzky Dance Company. Her dance career was launched with the influential West Coast choreographer Lester Horton, who was also a mentor of Alvin Ailey and Carmen de Lavallade. She became Horton's colleague and founded with him the Dance Theater of Los Angeles in 1946, one of the few institutions in the United States to house both a dance school and theater under the same roof. Continues next