History
As I recall, back in the late Spring of 1979, I received a call from Delila Moseley asking whether I'd be interested in choreographing for an upcoming concert she was presenting with Bill Murray at the Lobero Theatre in August. Of course I said, "Yes!" I was honored to be considered, since I was a young choreographer. As the concert took shape, a group emerged consisting of Linda Boden (Maxwell) (Dept. Head at Alan Hancock College), Karen Ichikawa (Director of Da Capo Dance Theater), Kay Fulton (Dept. Head at Santa Barbara City College), Julie McLeod (Director of Dance Warehouse), Tamara Usher Kin-sell (Director of Santa Barbara Ballet Theater), Robin Bisio (independent), Delila Moseley (company and school director), Bill Murray (independent, soloist with Goleta Civic Ballet), and myself, Jacqui Coleman (independent). We adopted the name Choreographers' Collaboration.
The incredibly hard-working Moseley and Murray made it all happen. Murray as the business director, raised funds and loans. Moseley handled advertising, production, ticket sales and artistic direction. They were a visionary duo who not only gained the interest of Gary Sampson of Neighborhood Arts (later the ARTS Commission), but also that of Tiny Ossman, director of the ARTS FESTIVAL. Their support was an important indication of our value to the community.
That first concert was such a success that a second was proposed for Spring 1980. The NEA showed interest and became involved along with the choreographers themselves in setting up an adjudication panel in order to ensure quality. Adjudicated concerts remain an important part of SB DA activities to this day.
Attendance in those days was phenomenal. Dance was at its peak. Classes were overflowing and new classes were being added at the local studios and colleges. Those were the days! The Choreographers' Collaboration had tremendous support from its membership of 20 enthusiastic choreographers. Tickets for the Lobero (a 600 seat theater!) went like hotcakes; one memorable sold-out house had people standing in the aisles. In 1981 the Collaboration made its debut in L. A. In this year. Bill left the area, leaving Delila with the responsibility of running the Collaboration. The success of the organization was due to her enormous dedication and perseverance.
The exciting part about the CC for me and many others was the luxury of being able to create for a well-equipped professional stage. However, not every choreographer needs such extravagance. In particular, Robin Bisio, preferred the out-of-doors. She expressed a (desire for other 'venues and formats as a result New Performance was presented in the Process Theater.
In 1982 we expanded to include dancers,, schools, companies, and dance lovers, and appropriately changed our name to Santa Barbara Dance Alliance. We became a more accessible and broadly based organization. I think that openness to change has been one of the important attributes of Dance Alliance over the years. 1982 also saw the introduction of the Open House, informal showings, in inexpensive spaces with seats, lights and so on - loaned by Julie McLeod of Dance Warehouse. We are reviving these in 1994.
In 1983 the first issue of the Performance Calendar appeared, the precursor of this Newsletter. We also became incorporated and assembled a Board of Directors and started struggling with questions of artistic integrity and quality versus the need to stay in the black. By this time we were clearly a central part of dance activity in Santa Barbara, giving dance a voice as well as offering numerous activities that drew the community together in a sharing of ideas and works.
So many of the events of those early years stick in my mind for the excitement and excellence they generated. An Invitational Solo series began in 1984 with Nita Little, Jacqui Coleman, Kay Fulton and Barrie Barton in different locations - the Lobero, Victoria Street Theater, Garvin Theater and the old roller rink. There used to be so many theaters available in which to dance. 1984 also saw the official appointment of our first Director, a volunteer position held by Moseley.
Over the years. Dance Alliance has continued to offer dance artists and audiences an ever expanding range of activities. In 1985 a Young Dancers Concert was given with the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony Orchestra at the Lobero. In 1986 a Choreographers' Forum was organized to foster an "open dialogue" between artists and audiences. In 1987, Beth Burleson relieved a very worn out Moseley as Executive Director. Beth invested considerable effort in establishing a secure funding and administrative base, finding offices and securing money to pay staff and administrators. In 1988 we held a fund raising collaborative gala concert at the Lobero Theatre with Sansum Clinic featuring a duet from the San Francisco.
Kay Fulton presented her House Party Blues (1980), Moseley showed her Launderland (1981), Julie McLeod revived Loving You Has Made Me Bananas (1985), Valerie Huston brought back Scarlatti Portrait (1983), Regina Bustillos returned to Santa Barbara to present Anaphase (1983), Jeannie Carlson presented Marvin (1986) and I gave a piece that spanned the whole 10 years, Hole in the Day (1979). In 1990 we gave our first Center Stage Theater performance. A happy relationship has developed and this theater is pretty much our home base now. Sally Peck took over the job of Executive Director from Burleson in 1992 and since then has been giving endless energy to this organization.
As I look back, I realize how much of Dance Alliance's current and future plans are based on things done in the past. Nevertheless, the work has changed and grown and matured. Dance Alliance has reached out to the community with various projects and events. I think that the future is in programming accessibility, ethnic diversity and involvement with the members and board. I truly loved my involvement with CC/SBDA and am extremely grateful for the many stimulating events it has initiated. We have made a major contribution to the cultural richness of Santa Barbara.
As a past Board Member and President, I want to urge you to join us as a member and to take part in the rewarding and stimulating experiences Dance Alliance has brought into so many lives of Santa Barbara dance artists.
