SCERA to Host 9th Annual DANCING UNDER THE STARS, 8/22-23

If audiences feel a rumble coming from the SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre stage Aug. 22 and 23, it might be because one of the rising stars in Los Angeles will headline an evening of "Dancing Under the Stars" and bring a distinctive brand of fusion that has made him an in-demand choreography across the country.

Kyle Hanagami, dubbed "Hollywood's hottest up-and-coming choreographer" by Dance Spirit Magazine and his group Making Moves will be joined by a two other celebrated dancers, Jason Janas and Francisco Gella, as well as award-winning teams from Orem's acclaimed Center Stage Performing Arts Studio, named National Studio of the Year in 2012.

The evening will begin at 7 p.m. with a pre-show featuring some of Utah's top dance studios. The main concert will begin at 8:00pm. General admission tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 3-11, seniors 65 and older and students with identification. Reserved seats range from $20 to $30 for adults and $15 to $25 for children, seniors and students. Tickets are available at www.scera.org, by calling (801) 225-ARTs, in person at the SCERA Center for the Arts (745 S. State St., Orem) weekdays from 10am-6m and Saturdays from 12Noon-6pm, or at the gate 90 minutes prior to performance. The SCERA Shell Outdoor Theatre is located at 69 South State in the middle of Orem's SCERA Park.

Now in its ninth year, director, choreographer and owner of Center Stage Kim Delgrosso will demonstrate the style that has her dancers performing on television, on stage, and in professional performances across the United States.

"Wow, this show is really rolling," says Delgrosso, who could not be more lavish in her praise of Hanagami. "Among other places, he has been a choreographer for the TV show "The X Factor," and did an amazing video about love letters," she says. "He invited people to submit letters of love and said he would put a dollar per letter toward cancer research. Kyle received $14,000 letters, and his video has topped half a million views."

Also planned to star are Francisco Gella and Jason Jenas, both ascending dancers.

"Jason worked with my daughter Ashley when she performed on ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars,' and she has done dance projects with him," Delgrosso explains. "He looks like a hip hop dancer, but he's an amazing tap dancer. He is considered the fourth best tap dancer in the world. We're getting him just off performances at the Brazil World Soccer games."

She says he is incredibly humble, but when he gets on stage, he "lights the room and leaves the audience speechless."

Gella, an innovative choreographer, master teacher and educator, likes to bridge the ballet and modern dance world. His success as a performer has come in dance and gymnastics, and he is best known for his choreography across the globe.

"Francisco rarely performs but has come out of retirement for this concert," Delgrosso says. "He has visited my studio for ballet and put a chant on my ballet dancers. For us he is doing a piece called 'Ashes,' where children will recite a beautiful poem as part of the number."

Delgrosso's own company, which appeared on "America's Got Talent," will also perform with the style that earned them the 2012 National Studio of the Year award.

Audiences can expect an evening of jazz, ballroom, hip-hop, tap and more.

Workshops are offered as part of the Dancing Under the Stars program on Aug. 23. Dee Caspary and Denise Wall will teach a series of four classes, and those who attend the workshop will get four classes and a ticket to the show. Registration is available at www.dancefestutah.com.

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