VENTURA COUNTY, CA - Ventura County Ballet Company’s (VCBC) DAnce ART, a traveling dance ensemble composed of the company’s finest ballet dancers, and Focus on the Masters (FOTM), a non-profit art appreciation program that documents, preserves and presents the works and lives of accomplished contemporary artists, will combine its talents to introduce a unique, awe-inspiring, one-time event called “Convergence” that will kick-off the annual ArtWalk Ventura on Friday, July 19.

A first-of-its-kind concept masterminded by nationally recognized photographer and FOTM Founder Donna Granata, “Convergence” will be a live, multimedia benefit performance event featuring dance, music and fine art at its best, celebrating the spirit of collaboration and a shared passion for the arts. Downtown Ventura’s location at 20 N. Oak St., made available by owner Robert Gurfield, will set the stage for the event that will combine the skills of accomplished ballet dancers, renowned visual artists, an expert choreographer and world-renowned classical musicians.

The audience will be captivated by a beautifully choreographed dance piece from Brett Weidlich and performed by VCBC’s DAnce ART as projections of paintings by ArtWalk Artist of Distinction and FOTM-documented painter Gerd Koch bathe the dancers in expressionistic color and texture. Providing the music for the performance will be two-time Grammy-nominated international composer and pianist Miguel del Aguila, who will premiere “Silence,” his newest composition for piano and violin which he will perform with celebrated violinist Yue Deng.

Attendees will also enjoy an art exhibition featuring artists’ works that have been documented in the FOTM program that will be showcased throughout the weekend, as well as a live auction featuring Granata’s exquisite photographs of the dancers and other unique items. All proceeds from the event will benefit FOTM’s educational outreach programs.

“This unique performance embodies everything the ArtWalk represents – world-class artistry at its finest,” Granata said. “We’re so proud to showcase this unique alliance of extraordinary artists with the unmatched talents of our international musicians. ‘Convergence’ will be an affair to remember.”

Event Info:
What: “Convergence”
When: Friday, July 19, at 7-10 p.m.
Where: 20 N. Oak St., Ventura, Calif. 93001
Cost: $100 for FOTM members; $150 for general public. Advanced tickets for this event are available at http://www.focusonthemasters.com/index_fotm.php or by calling 805-653-2501. Dinner will be graciously donated by Aloha Steakhouse. Tickets are limited and must be purchased by Monday, July 15.
Sponsorship Opportunities: Limited sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Donna Granata at 805.653.2501 for more information.

About the Ventura County Ballet Company and Ballet Academy Ventura
Celebrating its 18th year, the Ventura County Ballet Company features professional dancers as well as VCBC pre-professionals and students from Ballet Academy Ventura, the official school of the VCBC. For more information about VCBC, call (805) 648-2080 or visit www.venturacountyballet.com.

Focus on the Masters
FOTM is an ongoing nonprofit art appreciation program that documents and archives extraordinary artists and their work through photographic portraits, oral histories, video taped interviews and biographical research that encompass each artist's experiences, artistic reflections and development. FOTM presents this work to a broad public through extensive educational outreach to all ages – including youth-at-risk through their Learning To See Youth Outreach program, a public monthly Artist Spotlight Interview Series, exhibitions, publications, website, www.FocusOnTheMasters.com and an extensive resource library.

Miguel del Aguila, Composer, Pianist
Two time Grammy-nominated American composer, Miguel del Aguila’s prolific music output and distinctive musical style has placed him among the most highly regarded composers of his generation. He came to the attention of European audiences in 1983 when his Messages premiered at Musikvereinssaal, the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Soon performances at Konzerthaus and Bösendorfer Hall followed, and in 1987 Peermusic published his first works. 1988 KKMAustria and Albany Records released his first CDs. During the 90’s Aguila’s list of works grew as did the number of his recordings, performances and honors which by 1995 included the prestigious Kennedy Center Friedheim Award among many others. After residing in Vienna for ten years, Aguila returned to California in 1992, where soon Los Angeles Times critics welcomed him as "One of the West Coast's most promising and enterprising young composers." He was Resident Composer at Chautauqua Institution until 2004 and Composer in Residence with New Mexico Symphony 2005 2006. By 2007 nearly fifty first rate orchestras and hundreds of ensembles and soloists were regularly commissioning and performing his works worldwide. Currently Aguila’s catalogue reaches over a hundred works for all genres, most published by Peermusic Classical and available on twentyseven CDs released by Naxos, Bridge, Dorian, Telarc, New Albion, Albany, and others. Performances and broadcasts of his works take place virtually every day of the year somewhere in the world. Recently Aguila received two Grammy nominations for CD Salon Buenos Aires and for his work Clocks as well as a MTC Magnum Opus Commission for The Fall of Cuzco. He is published by Peermusic Classical.

About the Downtown Ventura Partners business improvement district
The Downtown Ventura Partners business improvement district is a 22-block neighborhood where property owners tax themselves to make their community cleaner, safer and more vibrant. The tax is used by the BID to supplement and enhance services provided by the city. Working with the City and our non-profit partner, Downtown Ventura Organization, the Downtown Ventura Partners is leading a new spirit of cooperation among property owners, businesses and the community by providing a range of enhanced management programs including maintenance, marketing, economic vitality and physical improvements.