If you’re like most locals, you get Rick Conkey’s emails about the events going on at the Laguna Beach Cultural Arts Center.
There are a lot of events, which means there are a lot of emails. We know. It’s exhausting. But pound for pound, those emails have a lot of value.
One of the latest invited you to the free Art Walk dance showcase on July 7 featuring Cirque du Soleil alumna and Laguna Beach resident Sandrine Mattei, who performed with her friends and students.
If you didn’t go, you missed out. It was one of those special, underground, I-can’t-believe-I’m-seeing-this Laguna moments.
And inexplicably, with all due respect to Mattei’s stellar resume, it was 10-year-old dance student Aiden James “A.J.” Shields who stole the show. So self-assured and enthusiastic, he was mesmerizing to watch as he glided and bounced around the stage.
“It is such an inspiring space,” said Mattei afterward. “I’m so happy to help bring art through dance and movement to the Cultural Arts Center of Laguna Beach.”
The Artwalk event was just a preview into new dance opportunities at the venue. Mattei is starting a regular dance program where she will be teaching ballet and contemporary classes for different levels (beginner to advanced, children, teens and adults). For more details visit the website.
Mattei is no stranger to dancing excellence. For nearly seven years, she performed in the Cirque du Solei show “Love,” the Grammy-winning show based on the music of the Beatles. She was also a soloist in Cirque’s “Mystere” and appeared in the James Cameron 3D Movie “Worlds Away.”
Other performers at the show, by the way, included: Joelle Logan (dancer and teacher); Amanda Cobb (owner of Ballet Academy & Movement in San Clemente); Courtney Lyall (dancer and teacher); Bianca Bartlett (rhythmic gymnast); and musician and singer songwriter Ryan Heflin.
Next time, open Conkey’s emails and treat yourself to something new.
