HOW TO BE A PART OF LA's 1st Dance festival of the new year

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The Artistic Director, Ms Noelle Rose Andressen, began this dance festival with a vision to bring the arts to many and not just the top exclusive dance companies. "Dance is not just for one. Dance is for many", she says as a mantra. 

For almost 7 years Rubans Rouges Dance has been producing L.A.'s beloved first dance festival of the year. "Awakenings & Beginnings International Dance Festival" has a very special creation arc as it started out as a donation by Ms Andressen's mentors in the form of a space subsidy grant for DIAVOLO's downtown performance space. Ms Andressen's mentors had placed a deposit on the space and Rubans Rouges Dance assumed the contract and paid off the remainder of the rental. 

At first Ms Andressen started fundraising for this festival to honor her deceased mother's wishes. Her mother was going to be her partner in this venture but sadly passed on from cancer only 3 months before the festival's launch date. Ms Andressen carried on in her mother's memory and on her own raised funds to financially support the festival for many years receiving no grants.

Brainstorming what to name the festival ensued knowing they wanted it to encapsulate the artistic feel of the space and a very inclusive work ethic. The words: "fresh starts" & "clean slates" were considered. What was birthed: "Awakenings & Beginnings". It plays on the festival being at the beginning of the year and symbolizes how our traditions like having a new start and attempting to begin all over again. There's something magical about beginning afresh and wiping the slate clean. It gives us all an opportunity to take in a deep breath and breathe. There's a dual meaning in the festival's name. It has the heartbeat of the artist in mind.    

Ms Andressen and her mentors discussed the timing of the festival not wanting to conflict with other festivals in the area. Rubans Rouges Dance's Board did research and found there weren't any dance festivals in the Los Angeles area in January. January 19th would be the festival's inaugural launch date with future festivals around that date annually, schedules permitting. Since we started our January festival 7 years ago, many other productions and festivals have joined in on the January presentation(s). Please know we were the originators of this trend. Awakenings and Beginnings Dance Festival is the first dance festival of the year in Los Angeles. 

Educationally, this festival has hosted many professional level college ensembles and graduate school's students. It also brings together artists from across the world to make life worthy connections to broaden and unite the global arts in dance.  Modern dance had strong roots in the Los Angeles community. Ms. Andressen has done a lot to preserve that history and honor those that came before her. This year we are compiling a short film presentation to focus on one artist that is considered one of the fathers of modern dance.  

All of the artists are professional and have made this festival a vibrant, elegant and artistic blend of community and expression and most importantly: a deep love for dance. We like to think of it as an "on-growing" family. 

Every year Ms Andressen works endlessly and gives of herself. The heart beat of the festival thrives on love because of Ms. Andressen's vivacious and loving nature. She gives above and beyond ensuring a safe space for all artists to express themselves.

The first year was very exciting as the show sold-out and a lengthy wait list with standing room only left. It encourages us to know that we are appreciated as we work hard to bring you more in depth productions. Each year the festival announces new facets to the show that takes it to the next level. This year we present a 3 week long program with various events, master classes, formal and informal presentations, a red carpet gala and more surprises for both the viewer and the artist. 

In the past we offered two incredible shows: Opening & Closing Night Performances, both with great professional artists that present two completely different programs.

This festival has brought to light some of our society's most heady topics: Women's Rights, Stopping Child Abuse, Racial Equality, Breast Cancer Awareness, Cancer Research, LBGTQ Rights, Hebrew Culture/Tashlich, Remembering the Holocaust, Sexual Abuse, No Fascism, and many more important social subjects. 

It has been a very inclusive festival that gave performance opportunities to: disabled dancers and movers, the elderly from senior citizens to over 77 years of age, all religions and cultures including Native American, Armenian, African American, Latino, European, and all the wonderful colors of the world. This festival is a moment where all can unite and enjoy art.

"Awakenings" is for the established artist that wants to challenge themselves and their work in a new way of growth. It gives them an opportunity to reach out to our audience and gain valuable live feedback that enhances their ability to understanding the audience and their perception of their artwork.

"Beginnings" is symbolic of the emerging choreographer that desires to have an opportunity to share their work and develop their voice, thus reaching out for input from the fellow seasoned choreographers.

What then has birthed over the years within the unique program are beautiful mentoring relationships between the established-seasoned artists and the emerging talents.

The festival now has a formal mentorship program where the more seasoned choreographers guide and assist the newer and younger emerging artists. The education and guidance learned has helped start new relationships for at risk youth, the under-served, and help careers bloom. 

If you are interested in being mentored or mentoring, please connect with our festival's directors