A dazzling dance group that captures the essence of the famous dancer of the 1920s, Isadora Duncan, is coming to town to present workshops and a performance. It's called Lori Belilove & Company, and it is based at the Isadora Dance Foundation in New York City.

Having developed an international reputation, this troupe is regularly written up in such publications as The New Yorker, Village Voice, Dance Magazine and Ballet Internationale. The spirited dancers have received years of training and private coaching in Duncan's technique that culminates in a purity of style hailed by Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times and other internationally renowned critics.

After doing public workshops on Nov. 15, 16 and 19 (see box), the company will perform a major work, "From Russia with Love," at The Center for the Arts on Saturday, Nov. 18. Locals will participate in this, including Paul Perry of Music in the Mountains playing piano and children who auditioned earlier.

Duncan left a pervasive legacy in Russia, influencing some of the country's most important artists - Fokine, Nijinsky and Pavlova, and, through them, the Ballet Russe. Almost a year and a half ago, Belilove & Co. performed in Russia at an event celebrating the 100th anniversary of Isadora Duncan's introduction of "free dance" to Russia.

Also in that program will be a selection of new works by Belilove from her "EveryWoman Series."

"The series is my attempt to reach out and touch what all women feel, long for and struggle with," said Belilove. "I see how the movements of Isadora are a language, primordial and universal in content. I endeavor to take them into a fresh new direction to express the feeling of contemporary woman and the universal soul of us all."

Tickets for the 8 pm performance are $20 and may be purchased at The Center for the Arts box office, 314 W. Main St., Grass Valley; ticket outlets (Yabobo in Nevada City, BriarPatch and The Book Seller in Grass Valley and at Cherry Records in Auburn) or at the door, if available. Contact 274-8384, ext. 14, or visit www.thecenterforthearts.org for more information.

Isadora Duncan Dance Festival at a glance
The following three workshops offered by Belilove & Company are open to public participation:
EarthDance, Nov. 15 and 16 at Sierra Friends Center, Nevada City. Call 273-3183.
Feel Better Naked, Nov. 19 at Wild Mountain Yoga in Nevada City. Call 273-7406.
The Art of Isadora Technique, Nov. 19 at Sierra Dance Institute in Grass Valley. Call 477-7644.
On Saturday, Nov. 18, the company will perform From Russia with Love at Center for the Arts (see story).
Also on Saturday is a one-woman matinee show with Kres Mersky, Isadora Duncan: A Unique Recital, at CFA's Off-Center Stage. Contact 274-8384, ext. 14, or www.thecenterforthearts.org. Story in 11/16 Prospector.

One wag called these five days an "Isadora-palooza."

To read the original review from the Union Prospector Visit:

http://www.theunion.com/article/20061109/PROSPECTOR/111090091&SearchID=73264451261507