Pacifico Dance Company

Pacifíco Dance Company was founded in 1992 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation and reconstruction of classical and contemporary Mexican dance forms. Under the Artistic direction of Adriana Astorga-Gainey, Pacifíco Dance Company has performed for audiences across the nation and internationally. Comprised of 40 accomplished dancers and musicians, the company prides itself on educating culturally diverse communities as well as, providing Hispanic audiences with a forum for developing pride in their own heritage. These brilliant artists collaborate to present both traditional and innovative works that combine the essence of traditional styles with modern dance idioms.

Some of the most ambitious works include Frida Kahlo, the Legend of La Llorona, Salón México, Mictlan, Calacas Clandestinas, and the Virgin of Guadalupe. Pre-Hispanic works from Concheros and traditional dances from Jalisco, Guerrero, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas and Veracruz round out the repertoire.

For six consecutive years the Company performed at the prestigious Dance Kaleidoscope Summer Dance Festival in Los Angeles. They have collaborated with several well known musicians including Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez, Pablo Montero, Conjunto Jardin and Pepe Aguilar for live performances.

The company has performed at many venues throughout the Southwestern United States including Utah, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Pacifico was also honored to perform in residence at the world famous Kennedy Center in 2007. Local southern California venues include The Carpenter Center in Long Beach, the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, the Redlands Bowl, the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, The Getty Center, and the Universal Amphitheatre. In 2001, Pacifíco Dance Company along with Mariachi Sol de Mexico made a historic visit to North Korea and the People’s Republic of China as part of a cultural arts exchange.

Pacifíco has twice been recognized as part of the Irvine DanceMaker awards. Throughout its 20 year history, Pacifíco has put much emphasis on collaborations with educational organizations to produce performances for students from K through 12. Pacifíco is currently one of the artists on the roster of the Music Center’s Education Division and performs at local schools throughout Los Angeles County. This initiative intends to build audiences by engaging students in the arts. For two years, the company was in residence at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts where it taught Mexican Folk Dancing and rehearsed.

The company has been prominently featured in a number of publications and TV spots, both locally and nationally, including the “L.A. Times,” the Oregon “Mail Tribune,” the Delaware “News Journal,” “Hispanic” magazine and the Spanish-language daily “La Opinión.” Pacífico has been profiled by KCET-TV’s award-winning program “Life & Times” and the nationally syndicated show “American Latino TV,” broadcast to over 50 million homes in the U.S.

Pacífico Dance Company has the distinct pleasure of offering classes that combine classical ballet technique with the folkloric roots of traditional Mexican dance. The company offers master classes, student shows, and community outreach to people of all ethnicities and ages.

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Categorized under: Dance Company, ORGANIZATION, World Arts