Beyond the black swan

Still trying to get those disturbing “Black Swan” film scenes out of your head? I know just the thing: children. Lots and lots of children, dancing in a whimsical take on “Swan Lake” performed with “a splash” to benefit at-risk kids served by Free Arts of Arizona.

Free Arts for Abused Children of Arizona has partnered with Dance Theater West to present a free 45-minute dance performance dubbed “Swan Lake……The Big Splash” on Sun, Sept. 16 at 6pm at Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

The “storybook” take on this classic tale features 14 youth who participate in programs developed and organized by Free Arts of Arizona. During rehearsals with Dance Theater West, they’ve been learning informal techniques with an emphasis on improvisation.

Families attending Sunday’s performance can arrive early to enjoy free arts and crafts activities taking place from 4:30-6pm in the lovely Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts lobby. A cookie reception follows, making the event sweeter still.

David Starry as Baron Von Rothbart and Hannah Cummiskey as Odette The Dying Swan. Photo by Jon Simpson. Courtesy of Dance Theater West.

Dance Theater West is the academy for Center Dance Ensemble, resident modern dance company at the Herberger Theater Center, and Storybook Ballet Theater. Guests artists appearing Sunday include David Starry (Baron Von Rothbart) of Scorpius Dance, plus Emilio Minto (Prince Siegfried) and Brad Speck (Bradley the Bad) of Center Dance Ensemble.

Arizona’s arts community is filled with all sorts of artists who regularly donate their time to shower our children with the riches of arts and culture, and taking a bit of time from our busy lives to watch such partnerships perform is one of many ways we can support their dedication — and bring smiles to the faces of youth who so appreciate having a big audience.

Sunday’s cast includes Hannah Cummiskey (Odette The Dying Swan), Taylor Brauer (Odette The Young Maiden), Rachel Bain (Magique), Jennifer Marcantonio (Odile The Evil Swan) and plenty of other dancers who’ll make you forget all about those darker Natalie Portman moments.

Folks not yet familiar with the story of “Swan Lake” can visit PBS to explore the work, which was first performed by the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow in 1877 and features music composed by Tchaikovsky. Sunday’s “with a splash” dancers will also perform to music by Moussorgsky.

Learn more by calling Free Arts of Arizona at 602-258-8100.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to learn more about photography by Jon Simpson, and here to explore offerings by the Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (including the young@art gallery located inside the performing arts center)

Coming up: TV offerings for art lovers

Get out, get art!

After hitting just a single night of this year’s “Phoenix Film Festival,” I’m giving serious thought to running away from home. Not forever. Just through next Thursday when the festival comes to a close. With so many amazing offerings, it seems silly to drive back and forth from theater to laundry room and such.

All sorts of things caught my eye on this weekend’s festival schedule — including a free “Kids’ Day” for families presented by IFP Phoenix from 9am-2pm on Sat, March 31 (where you can also see three family films for just $5 each — including “Chimpanzee” from Disney at 1:05pm).

Also high school shorts, college shorts, animated shorts, a silent auction, a preview of Phoenix Comicon 2012 and plenty of live performance art by folks from Scorpius Dance Theatre to Carol Pacey & the Honey Shakers. Even workshops on topics like “Casting Indies” and “Life as an Indie Actor.”

A film titled “Kerry and Angie” that’s part of a Saturday morning “Arizona Showcase” is directed by Amanda Melby, head coach and owner at Verve Studios in Scottsdale — one of many performing arts groups to participate in this year’s RAK Camp Fair. Folks who attend the Actors Theatre production of “Body Awareness” at the Herberger Theater Center will get to see Melby in action.

Those seeking more family-friendly fare have another great option in the “Children’s Day & Kite Festival” taking place Sat, March 31 from 10am-3pm at the Japanese Friendship Garden of Phoenix — which features martial arts, games, food, face painting and other activities. Families are invited to wear kimonos and bring a kite along (or make kites during the festival). Best they not offer kimono-making. I would only embarrass myself.

Fans of Rodgers & Hammerstein can enjoy a double dose of musical theater this weekend as Greasepaint Youtheatre performs “Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella” and The Phoenix Symphony performs “An Evening with Rodgers & Hammerstein” (don’t let the name “fool” you — Sunday’s show is actually a matinee). The latter is a collaboration with Phoenix Theatre featuring direction by Michael Barnard and a collection of vocalists that bears a startling resemblance to my list of favorite people.

Your last chance to see the Scottsdale Community College production of “The Miracle Worker” by William Gibson is Sat, March 31 at 2pm and 7:30pm — and I happen to know first hand that at least one of the show’s young actors is cuter than the dickens. If acting is hereditary, she’s also rocking her role.

— Lynn

Note: Family-friendly activities are always available in print and online calendars from Raising Arizona Kids magazine.

Coming up: Two of the most imporant hours of my life