4th Annual International Day of Dance April 25, 2009

Las Cruces, NM –The 4th Annual Day of Dance, sponsored by Branigan Cultural Center is set for April 25, 2009 from 10 am to 1 pm. The program has become so popular that it has moved from the Branigan Cultural Center down the street to the Rio Grande Theater to accommodate larger audiences.

The International Day of Dance was initiated on April 29, 1982 by the International Dance Council, under the auspices of UNESCO. The Council’s purpose is to act as a worldwide forum for bringing together international, national and local organizations, and individuals active in dance.

Branigan Cultural Center began hosting a “local” International Day of Dance in 2006 to present culturally diverse dance forms found in the Las Cruces area. Dance is a healthy and fun activity for all ages.

The 4th Annual Day of Dance program is divided into two sets. The first set, 10:00 – 11:30, features perennial favorite, Jose Tena’s Ballet Folklorico de la Tierra del Encanto. The Inti Rayme Peruvian Dancers are also back. New this year is Las Perlitas del Pueblo, a seniors dance group that recently took first place in the show dance category in the local Senior Olympics. Balancing out the set will be Square Dance with caller Don Miles and Ballet with Candace Williams.

The second set, 11:30 – 1:00, begins with the Tango Dance Club. Dancers, under direction of Curtis and Monina Graham, will highlight three different styles Argentina dances. Another fan favorite is the Flamenco performed by Paco Antonio and Lucilene de Geus. The pair will be joined on stage with students from Alma d'arte Charter High School. Even the audience will have a chance to participate in the event when Sherill Patterson and Cheryl Lither introduce modified line dancing to the program. The set will conclude with a demonstration of Capoeira. Capoeira originated in Brazil and is a dance with roots in martial arts.

The Rio Grande Theater is located at 211 N. Main Street. The Day of the Dance program is free and open to the public. For more information about the program, contact the Branigan Cultural Center at (575) 541-2154 or visit the Center’s web site at www.las-cruces.org/museums