Dancers will plié, pirouette and promenade for guests at the fifth annual Appetizers for the Arts: An Evening of Culinary and Performance Excellence, scheduled for April 5.
InnerRhythms Dance Theatre presents its annual fundraising event at Plumpjack Squaw Valley Inn, featuring an evening of dance performances and tasty treats.
“What’s really fun about it is hanging out with all the people who really love to dance,” said Rich Valentine, longtime Truckee resident and member of the Truckee Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. “It’s great to get around the people who really support the arts.”
Appetizers for the Arts helps support InnerRhythms’ nonprofit dance organization, and aims to encourage performing arts in Truckee and on the North Shore.
“We are one of the only performing arts nonprofits left. They’re dwindling,” said Elizabeth Archer, artistic director of InnerRhythms.
Last year’s fundraiser brought in about $9,000 to support the organization and performing arts productions in the region, Archer said.
Local restaurants and chefs from Dragonfly Cuisine, Cottonwood Restaurant, Plumpjack Cafe, Jake’s on the Lake, Earthly Delights Deli Bakery & Grocery, and OB’s Pub & Restaurant will provide hors’ doeuvres that will be served by InnerRhythm’s dancers.
World-class professional dancer and choreographer Christopher Childers will perform a routine for guests. Childers has toured with high-profile entertainers such as Madonna, Whitney Houston and Prince. Several dancers from InnerRhythms will also showcase their talent, dancing five pieces of choreography as Bond girls, as the theme of the evening is “Shakin’ not stirred,” Archer said. All four young women have been accepted to prestigious dance programs across the country to train this summer and have been rehearsing the jazz routines since last October, she said.
“It’s a unique kind of fundraiser with the performances,” Valentine said. “You’re five feet away from a dancer. You can see their ability and talent.”
The absence of an arts venue in the area makes it hard for local artists to find a place to perform, Valentine said. The lack of an adequate performing arts facility also takes a toll on an organization, he said.