What to expect from the Palm Springs International Dance Festival fall series

Season is alive and well in the desert. And yes, that means the return of traffic and crowded restaurants, but it also means something to get excited about: arts events.

Most Coachella Valley performing and visual arts organizations kicked off their 2022-23 seasons this month, and for one local group, that means the fall installment of its most popular event: the Palm Springs International Dance Festival.

Michael Nickerson-Rossi Dance held the spring version of its annual festival in March, but this week, dance fans are in store for a completely new lineup of performances, workshops and other dance-centric events.

We caught up with Founding Artistic Director Michael Nickerson-Rossi to get the latest on this week's festivities (as well as some bonus events the first weekend in November).

Thursday

"Becoming" Concert Dance Performance & Installation

When: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 27

Where: Nickerson-Rossi Dance, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 11, Palm Springs

Cost: $75 (tickets include reception and show)

Nickerson-Rossi's dance company will bring an original work by Palm Springs artist Richard Gibbons to life.

It all started when Gibbons shared a triptych, an artwork made up of three pieces or panels, with Nickerson-Rossi. The choreographer/director was moved by the painting, and was particularly inspired by a white frame, or doorway, that helps portray the work's three male figures in various phases of life.

"Let me just give you a perspective," Nickerson-Rossi said. "So he's [Gibbons] in his 70s. So think of the world being very, very different 70 years ago, especially growing up as a young man, and also being gay, and you were arrested for being gay — it was illegal. ... There's so much depth in terms of why his paintings hit me on such a personal level."

Because of the work's subject matter, Nickerson-Rossi decided to cast only male dancers — the first time he's done so in the company's nearly 10-year existence. He also asked Gibbons to give an artist talk before the performance to offer context.

Audiences will notice that, in addition to the space's new stage lighting, Nickerson-Rossi’s "Dance House" will be equipped with a couple set pieces for this performance.

"They're different shapes. So one is long, meaning that's when you've first approached the outside world and you're vulnerable. And then the second is center stage, and that one's more of a shortened path of a doorway, because that means that your perspective has changed," Nickerson-Rossi said. "And then the last path or doorway is the dancers;all three men have now come together and they are very close to the audience. And so that path is extremely narrow and that gives a sharper focus ... as a community supporting this lifestyle."

Friday

"How to Engage your Community" Workshop

When: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 28

Where: Nickerson-Rossi Dance, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 11, Palm Springs

Cost: $95

Nickerson-Rossi knows a thing or two about community engagement. Between opening his dance studio and founding his company's International Dance Festival, he's produced programs for a variety of audiences at venues including the gardens at Sunnylands and Frank Sinatra's Twin Palms Estate.

In this workshop, college dance students will learn his community building and partnership building techniques because, as he said, "you've got to get these young people on the right foot."

Nickerson-Rossi will share his story of gaining partnerships with large local organizations, such as Modernism Week, and explain why such collaborations are symbiotic relationships.

"For instance, this is our second year going to the Frank Sinatra estate, and that's really, really beneficial for both organizations, because Modernism (Week) is something very unique," he said. "It's unconventional for concert dance to be in a different space; nonetheless (it's) a fabulous home previously owned by a celebrity, so that's incredible. But you blend the marriage between business and art/dance, and it's a great concept."

Saturday

"From Production to Broadway" Workshop

When: 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Oct. 29

Where: Nickerson-Rossi Dance, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 11, Palm Springs

Cost: Sold out

This workshop for high school seniors will be led by Broadway star and "Evita" choreographer Larry Fuller, as well as composer, pianist and former stage manager Michael Roberts.

Film, dance and theater photographer Michael Childers connected Nickerson-Rossi with Fuller not long ago, and ever since, Fuller has attended all of the dance company's performances.

"He's so lovely," Nickerson-Rossi said. "I approached him and I asked him if we could work together in an educational sense. And so we have 30 students ... and they are going to learn the original choreography from 'Evita.'"

Sunday

"Rise Above" Student Showcase

When: 5-6 p.m. Oct. 30

Where: Nickerson-Rossi Dance, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 11, Palm Springs

Cost: $25

Come see young, aspiring dance artists from various high schools, universities and dance studios — including Nickerson-Rossi's Palm Springs Dance Academy — perform alongside other students from around the world. This showcase will feature various dance genres including modern, ballet, contemporary, hip-hop and more.

"Each institution gets to share their work," Nickerson-Rossi said. "And this year, we have Idyllwild Arts. We've been trying to partner with them for quite a bit, so we're so thrilled that they're coming, and we have Santa Barbara City College, Irvine Valley College and Palm Desert High School coming in."

Week 2

Friday

Versa-Style Dance Company 

When: 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4

Where: Nickerson-Rossi Dance, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 11, Palm Springs

Cost: $45

Interested in an immersive hip-hop experience? That's what attendees will get at this educational and interactive show, "Origins of Hip Hop," led by Los Angeles group Versa-Style Dance Company.

"When I was in college, hip-hop was kind of 'on the scene' in terms of what it was being recognized as. And now it's in the degree program, it's a cultural component that fulfills a requirement that you need for your upper division (dance) coursework," Nickerson-Rossi said of the style's evolution.

Founded in 2005 by Los Angeles natives and co-artistic directors Jackie Lopez and Leigh Foaad, Versa-Style was created to, as its website says, "promote, empower and celebrate the artistry of hip-hop and street dance culture." The group, which performed at the spring 2022 edition of the Palm Springs International Dance Festival, is known for its high-energy performances and its educational sessions (usually in Southern California schools).

"Jackie has written the (hip-hop) curriculum for USC and UCLA, so she runs those two programs in addition to running this incredible, fabulous company," Nickerson-Rossi said. "I love everything about them, so I will bring them back every year."

The event will conclude with a 30-minute panel discussion.

Saturday

"Male Aesthetic" 

When: 6 p.m Saturday, Nov. 5

Where: Nickerson-Rossi Dance, 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 11, Palm Springs

Cost: Sold out

This evening will feature multiple dance genres in celebration of male choreographers and dancers around the world.

The performance will include a piece danced by Cal State Fullerton dance educator Alvin Rangel, a duet choreographed by Idyllwild Arts Academy dance educator Hai Cohen and a work danced by Columbia City Ballet of South Carolina — the first classical ballet company to ever participate in the festival.

"This is something that I always teach in the universities: that you must know your community and who your audience is," Nickerson-Rossi said. "So, we did an all-male program."

For more information about the Palm Springs International Dance Festival fall series, visit www.nickersonrossidance.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: The ultimate guide to the Palm Springs International Dance Festival