BALINESE DANCE AT SMC

Carlos Fittante, co-director of the New York-based Balinese American Fusion Dance, a contemporary dance company, will conduct a Balinese Dance Master Class at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 13 at Santa Monica College. The free class will be held in Room 102 of the Gym, 1900 Pico Blvd., and is open to the public.

Fittante will focus on the basic movement patterns of Teruna-Jaya, a dance from Ubud, Bali in Indonesia.

"In the lesson the dancer becomes informed about the basic body posture and attitude of this sophisticated dance style and is introduced to poly-rhythmic clusters of detailed expressive movements of eyes, hands and arms," Fittante said. "In this way the dancer enters a kinesthetic and emotional journey in which heightened energies are contacted and released."

Fittante has an extensive and varied background as a professional dancer, choreographer, and teacher in New York City. Some of his credits include the Metropolitan Opera in New York, New American Ballet Ensemble, New York Baroque Dance Ensemble, Joan Miller and Dance Players and others.

Since 1989 he has been the associate artistic director of the Balinese American Fusion Dance. He has been to Bali and studied traditional Balinese dance with Islene Pinder, founder of the Balinese American Fusion Dance, and other experts.

The master class is funded by the Santa Monica College Associates, a private, nonprofit group that sponsors guest speakers and special programs on campus.

For information, call (310) 434-4000, ext. 4590

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