Ballare Carmel, a dance company known for bringing world-class performances to Monterey County, is now exploring new frontiers by blending dance with local cuisine, history, and farming. Their latest endeavor, FarmtoTendu, aims to awaken all the senses by pairing contemporary dance with a farm-to-table dining experience.
Led by co-founder and artistic director Lillian Barbeito, the program features choreography designed to complement specific flavors and themes, with each performance beginning with a walk-through dance narrative exploring regional history. Resident choreographer Javon Ja’Moon Jones brings to life the story of Indigenous people and Gold Rush settlers through movement, while dancers wear costumes inspired by Western saloons and the Victorian era.
The program includes “Summer,” set to Vivaldi and choreographed by Robin Dekkers; a world premiere by Amsterdam-based choreographer Anouk Van Dijk; and a piece by Brooklyn’s Kelly Ashton Todd, inspired by regenerative farming. Each evening performance culminates in a meal featuring ingredients harvested by the dancers themselves, served by local chefs.
With live music, fresh food, and evocative dance, Ballare Carmel’s FarmtoTendu offers audiences an immersive, multi-sensory experience, redefining the traditional boundaries of performance art. Co-presented by the Nancy Eccles and Homer M. Hayward Family Foundation, the event promises a unique blend of movement, taste, and history — truly a feast for the senses.
Source: Monterey County Now
