Holmes, who works as a guest dancer and professional trainer in Newport Beach, helped Gates from behind the scenes in the Laguna Dance Festival’s first season, but was asked last year if she wanted to perform onstage again.
“When Jodie and my partner asked me if I wanted to do this, it made me like dance again,” Holmes said.
Holmes’ partner from Ballet Pacifica is Irvine resident Francisco Gella, who danced in the closing ceremonies at the Nagano Winter Olympics and is also an accomplished choreographer. He created the work the pair will perform at the festival’s gala.
Holmes described it a romantic pas-de-deux with a big-band feel.
“Cisco is really good at mixing Hollywood and ballet together,” Holmes said. “I’m actually really excited about this piece; I think it’ll be entertaining. It moves.”
Now, Holmes finds herself warming up to the idea of reentering the dance world.
“I think I want to go back, but on a different scale,” Holmes said. “It reminded me: This is what dance is. It’s not the politics — it’s the performances. Now I’m doing it the way I want to do it, instead of being dictated to.
“Everyone is so supportive of each other, and you really do feel like the audience is appreciative of what you’re doing. It’s different from being in a resident company, where you feel more pressure; this allows you to have a little bit more freedom, so to speak.”
Gates said the closure of Ballet Pacifica earlier this year left a vacuum.
