January 23, 2015 | Tim Hauserman

While Lake Tahoe might be best known for its outdoor recreation opportunities, it’s important to remember that we also love to dance. In 2008, Christin Hanna formed the Tahoe Youth Ballet.  Composed of some of the best local dancers and guest artists from around the world, it has presented over 50 works in 12 performances at Lake Tahoe.  In 2015 the Tahoe Youth Ballet has become the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective, which will provide a full season of performances featuring classical, modern and contemporary dance.

The Collective will perform at the new Tahoe Art Haus Cinema in the Cobblestone in downtown Tahoe City, and on the grounds of the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society’s Gatekeeper’s Museum, where Lake Tahoe and the Truckee River meet.

2015 Scheduled performances:

Kinetech Arts: Saturday, February 7, 7pm, Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema

Kinetic Arts explores the theme of surveillance in a dance theater piece combining contemporary performance and interactive technology. It includes a short film, Q and A with artists, and a chance for the audience to interact with technology.

Winter Repertory Season: Friday, March 6th, 7pm
Saturday, March 7th, 2pm & 7pm, Tahoe Art Haus and Cinema.

New works by Constantine Baecher, Christin Hanna and Christopher McDaniel, danced by the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective ensemble and guest artists Christopher McDaniel and Alex Castillo of the Los Angeles Ballet.

3rd Annual Lake Tahoe Dance Festival: July 22-24, Gatekeeper’s Museum

A summer highlight in Tahoe City has become the Lake Tahoe Dance Festival, known for bringing first-rate artists from around the world to the shores of the lake. It’s a diverse program celebrating the innovators of dance – from classic works that helped shape the art form to the most promising choreographers of today.

New Chamber Ballet: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 15th-17th, 7 pm

Tahoe Art Haus & Cinema

A true chamber company, with just six dancers and two musicians; the sounds and bodies move close to the viewers in the intimate setting of the theater.

To find out more about the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective performances, tickets, community programs, classes or how you can contribute to the organization, go to: laketahoedancecollective.org