| | Dear Friend, As spring turns to summer, I find myself reflecting on the evolving state of the arts—both locally and nationally. Across the country, arts organizations are navigating a complex landscape marked by both incredible creativity and increasing challenges. Funding is more competitive than ever, yet the hunger for meaningful, live, and expressive art has never been greater. At Malashock Dance, we are meeting this moment with boldness and a deep commitment to our vision. We recently had the honor of representing San Diego on a national stage with a residency at Dance Place in Washington, DC, one of the country’s most respected hubs for contemporary performance. This opportunity marked a significant milestone in our growth, allowing us to connect with new audiences, share our unique voice, and deepen our presence in the national dance scene. Of course, this kind of momentum is only possible with your support. As we continue to expand our impact—through groundbreaking performances for youth and professionals, education programs, and community engagement—your generosity plays a vital role in making our work sustainable. That’s why I invite you to participate in our online auction, open now through June 2. It's a fun way to support Malashock Dance and take home something special—whether it’s a unique experience, access to curated arts events, or a local adventure! Happy Bidding! With Gratitude,  Molly Puryear Executive Director |
|  | MALASHOCKOLATE: Online Auction Open until June 2! Check out the 22 unique experiences Our online auction brings the spirit of Malashock Dance straight to you. It’s a wonderful opportunity for parents of current and prospective students, along with our broader community of supporters, to participate from anywhere. Bid on an incredible selection of auction items—all while helping to sustain and grow the impact of Malashock Dance. Whether you're at home or on the go, you can join the fun and make a meaningful difference. Thank you for your continued support—and happy bidding! |
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| | The Company in Washington DC! Artistic Director Christopher K. Morgan returned to Dance Place in Washington, DC—where he previously served as Executive Artistic Director—for a weeklong residency with the Malashock Dance Company, May 24–31. During their time at Dance Place, the company continued developing Morgan’s new work, The Dulling Effect, which audiences got a first glimpse of during the November Cultivate concert. While in residence, the company engaged with the local dance community through a masterclass and an informal work-in-progress showing. The Dulling Effect invites audiences to reflect on how technology, legislation, and social norms can numb our sense of connection—to ourselves and to each other. The piece also imagines what’s possible when we resist those forces: when we celebrate individuality, embrace diversity, and reclaim the right to express our authentic selves. |
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| Artistic Director Christopher K. Morgan Commissioned by the Maui Public Arts Corps Maui Public Art Corps is proud to announce the development of Pua Liʻiliʻi (small flowers): a new site-responsive performance by Christopher Kaui Morgan. Christopher’s upcoming pop-up performance is a deeply personal and place-based exploration of identity, visibility, and self-expression, inspired by the mo‘olelo of Hōkū Pavao, Francis Taua, Sean-Joseph Takeo Kahāokalani Choo, and William Haʻo. These narratives shared through Hui Mo‘olelo: Lei Pua ʻAla serve as the heart of the piece, reflecting stories of resilience, presence, and the nuances of being seen.
Set to original music by TJ Keanu Tario, Christopher will craft a series of solo dances that unfold across different Maui locations. Each performance will respond directly to its site and the voices of the storytellers, blending hula and contemporary dance to create moments of immersive, public reflection.
A central feature of the performance will be a garment designed by celebrated Hawaiian fiber artist Marques Hanalei Marzan. The garment will serve as a powerful metaphor for concealment and revelation — moving with the dancer to reflect the tension between hiding and being visible in a shifting cultural landscape.
Drawing from Francis Taua’s poignant observation that he “felt like he was hiding in plain sight,” the project explores how we carry our identities, how we choose to reveal or protect them, and what it means to be truly seen. |
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| | | 2025 Showcase - Thrive Faculty and youth dancers are working hard on our upcoming showcase, where students THRIVE! Two performances will be held June 1 at SDSU's Don Powell Theater. Parents can find all the available information by clicking on the button below. Join us for an inspiring youth performance. Tickets on sale now! |
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| Youth Summer Session Join us for summer classes June 6 - August 2, 2025! Give your child the gift of creativity, confidence, and joy this summer at Malashock Dance! Our engaging classes help kids build coordination, express themselves through movement, and make new friends—all in a supportive, inspiring environment. Registration is open now for a variety of classes and styles, taught by Malashock Dance's passionate and caring instructors. Spots are filling fast—enroll today and let your child shine! |
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| NEW Adult Beginner/Intermediate Jazz with Alexa Fote Wednesdays 7 - 8:30 p.m. starting June 4 This beginner to intermediate adult jazz dance class offers a fun, energetic, and supportive environment for dancers looking to build confidence, improve technique, and enjoy the expressive style of jazz. Designed for adults with some movement experience or basic dance knowledge, the class focuses on foundational jazz vocabulary, coordination, musicality, and style, while incorporating dynamic warm-ups, across-the-floor progressions, and short combinations set to upbeat music. Whether you're returning to dance or exploring jazz for the first time, this class encourages self-expression and joy through movement. |
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| | CLASSES THIS MONTH NeuroDance hosts welcoming drop-in dance classes designed for people with neurologic movement impairments and their loved ones where accessibility, creativity, and self-expression take center stage. Whether you dance from a chair, with a walker, or on your feet, this class honors every body’s unique rhythm and ability. There are no right or wrong moves—.All participants are encouraged to move at the level of comfort that is safe & accessible to them. You know your body & limits best; we are here to support you in any way we can. Guided by a supportive instructor, knowledgeable physical therapists, spirited volunteers, and uplifting music, you’ll explore breath, rhythm, and expressive gestures that connect you to joy, community, and the power of dance. Come as you are. Leave with a smile. While classes are tailored to these conditions, they are open to all adults seeking an adaptive dance experience—whether you live with a similar condition, experience related symptoms, or simply wish to be part of a welcoming and supportive community. PARKINSON’S DISEASE
June 7: 10:15 – 11:15 am
STROKE & BRAIN INJURY
June 14: 10:15 – 11:15 am
CEREBRAL PALSY
June 21: 10:15 – 11:15 am
AQUIRED PARALYSIS
June 28: 10:15 – 11:15 am Location: The Chrysalis: Monarch Center for the Arts 1805 Main Street San Diego, CA 92113 A fully wheel-chair accesible space with easy parking |
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| | Join us for DISCO RIOT's Queer Mvmnt Fest 2025! Festival Dates: June 4-8, 2025
Queer Mvmnt Fest showcases artists who identify as part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ dance community from San Diego and beyond. The festival features queer-focused spaces as well as events open to the general public, including performances, workshops, panel discussions, and movement-based short films. Queer Mvmnt Fest addresses inequity through an intersectional lens by centering the work of queer BIPOC and disabled artists.
The festival is curated and directed by DISCO RIOT Producing Artists: Desiree Cuizon, Trystan Merrick, Martin Anthony Dorado, and Alyssa Rose. |
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| | | | THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS |
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