Blog
National Choreographers Initiative: A Spectacular Evening of Contemporary Ballet at Irvine Barclay Theatre
07.24.23
Mark your calendars for the highly anticipated return of the National Choreographers Initiative (NCI) at the prestigious Irvine Barclay Theatre on Saturday, July 29th. Founded by the renowned choreographer Molly Lynch in 2004, NCI continues to make waves in the dance community, showcasing new works by talented choreographers from around the nation.
For its 19th season, NCI: Discovery 2023 will feature four exceptional choreographers - Kristopher Estes-Brown, Ye Li, Ian Schwaner, and Carrie Ruth Trumbo. These creative minds have been given the opportunity to craft contemporary ballets that will be performed for the first time on the Irvine Barclay Theatre stage.
Under the artistic direction of Molly Lynch, NCI serves as a platform to promote professional dance and support the national dance community. Each choreographer receives the freedom to choose their style and theme, resulting in stunning and original performances. Many of the pieces developed through this initiative have gone on to be acclaimed performances both in the United States and abroad.
The evening promises to be an immersive experience, with each choreographer introducing their piece, followed by a Q&A session moderated by Molly Lynch. This allows the audience to gain insights into the inspiration and creative process behind the works.
Let's take a moment to spotlight the talented choreographers gracing the NCI stage:
- Kristopher Estes-Brown: Known for his athletic, expressive movement style and unique musicality, Estes-Brown has created over 90 original contemporary dance pieces. His works have received widespread acclaim from audiences and dance companies across the country.
- Ye Li: An award-winning dancer who has performed lead roles in classic ballets, Li's expertise and artistry shine through in his choreography. He is also the executive director and choreographer for the Oregon International Ballet Academy.
- Ian Schwaner: With a background that includes dancing leading roles and premiering immersive dance films, Schwaner brings a fresh perspective to the NCI stage. His dynamic and captivating choreography has earned him well-deserved recognition.
- Carrie Ruth Trumbo: As the resident choreographer and artistic associate of Pegasus Contemporary Ballet, Trumbo's work exudes creativity and passion. Her repertoire includes pieces awarded with the TACA Pop-Up Grant.
The NCI has a rich history of nurturing talent, with past editions featuring 69 choreographers and producing 72 new works. More than 30 of these works have been performed and premiered by dance companies throughout the United States and internationally.
Tickets for the NCI event are available for both in-person and livestream attendance. Don't miss this opportunity to witness the brilliance of contemporary ballet at Irvine Barclay Theatre. In-person tickets range from $20 to $60, while virtual access tickets are priced at $20.
Irvine Barclay Theatre, with its intimate atmosphere and exceptional acoustics, has been a hub for extraordinary performances by internationally recognized artists since 1990. Over the last 33 years, it has welcomed over 2.6 million patrons to indulge in a diverse array of captivating performances.
Irvine Barclay Theatre is located at 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, adjacent to UC Irvine. For tickets or more information, please visit thebarclay.org or call (949) 854-4646.
Blog
Experience An Interactive Fire & Flavor Dining Experience at Europa Village!
07.24.23
Join Europa Village, the picturesque wine resort in Temecula Wine Country, for an exclusive and mouthwatering dining event on Friday, July 28 from 6 – 8 p.m. Indulge in a culinary adventure as Executive Chef Hany Ali takes center stage, grilling succulent fish and delicious baby back ribs with a delectable passionfruit barbecue sauce over an open fire grill.
During this interactive dinner, Chef Hany Ali will generously share his culinary expertise, techniques, and secret tips for achieving the perfect grill. You won't want to miss this opportunity to learn from a master in action!
The thoughtfully crafted menu for the evening boasts an array of delightful dishes, including Organic Baby Spring Mix served with charred grilled peaches and limoncello vinaigrette, Grilled Chicken complemented by blistered grapes and caramelized onions, and the exquisite Grilled Italian Branzino. To add to the flavors of the night, they will also be serving Tuscan Braised Beans.
Tickets for this exceptional dining experience are priced at just $80 per person, offering you a chance to savor these delectable offerings at an incredible value.
Europa Village, 41150 Via Europa, Temecula.
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 10.09.25 – The Jill Foundation’s Annual Opportunity Drawing Is Now Open
- 10.09.25 – Born in OC Book Signing at Lido Village Books
- 10.07.25 – Rodrigo’s Mexican Grill Reopens Reimagined Anaheim Hills Flagship
- 10.07.25 – Moonlit Magic to Shine at 2025 Wish Gala
- 10.05.25 – Star Wars: A New Hope in Concert at Musco Center
- 10.04.25 – Puesto Celebrates National Taco Day with Golden Ticket Giveaway
- 10.02.25 – Musco Presents Complexions Contemporary Ballet
- 10.02.25 – Newport Beach Becomes Global Beach Volleyball Capital Oct. 7–12
- 10.01.25 – Laguna Cliffs Hosts Harvest Moon Sound Bath
- 09.29.25 – Pumpkin Palooza Returns to Discovery Cube OC This October
- 09.29.25 – Zov’s Debuts New Brunch Menu Inspired by Family Traditions
- 09.26.25 – Segerstrom Center Expands Feel Good, Do Good Donation Drives
- 09.25.25 – GLOW Coalition Hosts First Fundraiser for Save Newport Nature
- 09.24.25 – Ilissa Michele Jewelry: Purpose-Driven, Handmade, and One-of-a-Kind
- 09.21.25 – Your Business. Our Audience.
- 09.19.25 – Irvine Barclay Theatre Celebrates 35th Season With Free Block Party
- 09.16.25 – Seconds at PCH Food Week Returns to 2ND & PCH
- 09.13.25 – Pasta Sisters Marks 10 Years With $8 Pasta Day
- 09.12.25 – Wrap Up by Valerie Perez Unveils Luxe Robe Collection for Fall
- 09.11.25 – Sgt. Pepperoni’s Partners With CHOC for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
More Daily Doses
- 10.13.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
- 10.08.25 – Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Honors
- 10.08.25 – California Wine Festival Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 17 - 18
- 10.05.25 – Fashion Meets Film: StyleWeekOC Returns to Fashion Island October 15–19
- 09.29.25 – Pacific Airshow Returns to Huntington Beach Oct. 3-5
- 09.26.25 – Mastro’s Brings Its Iconic Dining Experience to Irvine Spectrum
- 09.25.25 – San Francisco Ballet’s Frankenstein Comes to Segerstrom Center
- 09.19.25 – 26th Annual Newport Beach Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup
- 09.16.25 – Tastemakers of Orange County Returns to Segerstrom Center for the Arts
- 09.16.25 – Pacific Wine & Food Classic Returns September 20
- 09.15.25 – The Market Place Opening Celebration
- 09.12.25 – Segerstrom Center Welcomes Yearlong Karon Davis Installation
- 09.08.25 – Pacific Symphony Opens 47th Season with Rachmaninoff and Sibelius
- 09.08.25 – Roger’s Gardens Celebrates 50 Years with Halloween Boutique, Midnight Market
- 08.24.25 – An Evening at The Lido Theater to Benefit the John Wayne Cancer Foundation
- 08.20.25 – Seafolly Opens First U.S. Flagship in Corona del Mar
- 08.16.25 – Stone Groove Stillhouse Brings World’s First Audio Distillery to Anaheim
- 08.14.25 – Harvest Restaurant Showcases Seasonal California Cuisine
- 08.06.25 – ClubSport Aliso Viejo Debuts Recovery Upgrades and New Friends Membership
- 08.05.25 – A Taste of Japan in Irvine: Izakaya Osen
