City Ballet will be ‘On the Move’ and outdoors at UC San Diego

The 31st season of the Pacific Beach-based City Ballet of San Diego will kick off with an outdoor summer ballet show in La Jolla titled On the Move 2023: Without Bounds.

The performance will consist of three all-new works, choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich, Geoffrey Gonzalez, and Brian Heil.

Aubade I & II, choreographed by Wistrich, will engage audience members through a dance piece that will invoke an interpretation of an awakening – whether it be through the promise that each new day holds or an awakening within oneself.

“The music is very, very powerful and emotional,” said On the Move 2023: Without Bounds director Ariana Gonzalez. “I feel like people are really going to be moved by not only the power of the dancing but the power of the movement.”

Forever Sunset, choreographed by Geoffrey Gonzalez, derives inspiration from Geoffrey’s own personal life. Dancers will slide around the stage wearing socks to execute a much more grounded movement to a modern contemporary style choreography.

“Geoff has been going through some personal sorrows, so that is reflected in the choreography. It is basically about celebrating the small moments in life and treasuring those around you,” said Ariana Gonzalez.

Heil’s choreographed classical piece titled Moonlit will close the On the Move 2023: Without Bounds performances. An all-female cast will highlight the musical complexity of the score and dance to the waxing and waning of a moon cycle

Showcasing on July 14-15 at 8 p.m., the performances will take place at the new open-air Epstein Family Amphitheater on the UC San Diego campus.

“This is our first time performing at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, and I think seeing that type of movement outdoors in this beautiful amphitheater is going to be so effective,” said Ariana Gonzalez. “We are in San Diego, ballet should be done outdoors here. I think it’s a great thing for people to do over the summer – see live performing art outside.”

The July 14 show will commence the City Ballet’s 31st season, which will run through next May. Ariana Gonzalez, daughter of the nonprofit’s co-founders, will have the honor of directing the first performance of the upcoming season.

“I was 9 years old when they first started the company, so I’ve seen it progress from where it started – having four dancers – to this very established ballet company,” said Ariana Gonzalez.“I feel very honored to get the opportunity to shape the company’s future vision with this show. It’s another opportunity to get on stage and to show the community of San Diego that we have amazing local choreographers here.”
Tickets are available on the City Ballet website and sell from $39-59.

Photo by Jaroslav Richters, City Ballet of San Diego