When dancer and choreographer Guillermo Keys-Arena died in 2006, he bequeathed part of his estate to a trust fund that would help dancers develop their careers.
The first dancers to benefit from his generosity are about to present their works at a one-off performance in Sydney on September 10 at the Parade Theatre.
The program is called Worlds Colliding and showcases three choreographers -- Tammi Gissell (performance theorist, indigenous contemporary choreographer, poetess), Melisa Gowen (independent dancer, contemporary choreographer, dance educator) and Airagdin Pavon More aka El Moro (director, teacher and performer of Buena Vista Dance Cuban Academy and Afro-Cuban choreographer).
Mexican-born Keys-Arena’s life was devoted to dance. Among many appointments he was artistic coordinator and ballet master of Ballet Folklorico of Mexico. He settled in Australia in 1974, was ballet master for the Dance Company of New South Wales (now Sydney Dance Company) and artistic director of the folkloric dance group Dance Concert for four years until it disbanded in 1982. From 1979 until 1994 he directed the Folkloric Festivals, held first only in Sydney but later established in other capitals.
Worlds Colliding reflects his passion for multiculturalism, with a program that will cross styles and cultures. For more info: http://www.keysarenasdance.com.au/