DANCE

Dear Olivia is a multi-media dance performance piece inspired by a letter to a young woman on the eve of her Bat Mitzvah. Addressing the meaning of this Jewish life passage and a Jewish girl's coming of age, choreographer Joanie Block interprets the symbolic transition from girlhood to womanhood through dance, music and video. In the performance, which takes place at the Leventhal-Sidman JCC in Newton on Thursday, May 3 (7:30pm), an ensemble of five dancers explores the life span of a woman under the watchful and guiding eye of a young girl's spirit. Block has taught dance and performed in the Boston area for 30 years, most recently with the celebrated choreographer Dorothy Hershkowitz. Set design is by Linda Klein. Original score by Billy Novick. Video created by Lynn Bikofsky. The dancers are Melinda Rothstein, Yenkuei Chuang, Jesica Muise and Lucy Considine. Dear Olivia is part of the Ryna Greenbaum JCC Events and Performances series. Cost is $20. Purchase tickets at www.bostonjcc.org/artsevents or contact 617-965-5226 or boxoffice@jccgb.org. The JCC is located at 333 Nahanton Street in Newton.