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Festival of Dance begins at Merced College

Sun-Star Staff

Cinderella, played by Tatum Avalos, dances while she finds herself alone at home during a ballet performance of the fairy tale “Cinderella” by Merced Academy of Dance on Friday at Merced College. More performances by other dance studios are planned this month at the college.
Cinderella, played by Tatum Avalos, dances while she finds herself alone at home during a ballet performance of the fairy tale “Cinderella” by Merced Academy of Dance on Friday at Merced College. More performances by other dance studios are planned this month at the college. Thaddeus Miller tmiller@mercedsunstar.com

The 23rd annual Festival of Dance at Merced College opened Friday, kicking off a series of performances this month.

The Merced Academy of Dance gave the first performance, a ballet version of the fairy tale “Cinderella,” on Friday and Saturday at Merced College Theater.

The theater will be home to an array of different shows, featuring ballet, tap, belly, jazz and Polynesian dance from local troupes through June 27.

The festival is sponsored by the Dance Teachers Cooperative, a group of dance instructors in the Merced and Mariposa areas that formed more than 20 years ago in connection with Merced College Community Services.

The proceeds from ticket sales are used for scholarships.

For additional information or ticket prices, contact Merced College Community Services at (209) 384-6224.

AT A GLANCE

All performances are at Merced College Theater, 3600 M St.

South Pacific Dance Company & Merced Belly Dance Company: 7 p.m. Thursday

The Dancers’ Studio: 7 p.m. Friday

Steps Dance Studio: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday

Denisa’s School of Dance: 7 p.m. June 26 and 27

Mariposa Academy of Performing Arts: 2 p.m. June 27

This story was originally published June 14, 2015 at 11:01 AM with the headline "Festival of Dance begins at Merced College."

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