Lineage Dance Company is preparing to mark its 25th anniversary with a special gala and an inspiring lineup of performances. The milestone celebration will kick off on Sept. 7 at the Lineage Performing Arts Center, the company’s permanent home since 2020.
Founded in 1999 as a benefit concert for a local nonprofit, Lineage has blossomed into a multifaceted arts center. The organization’s mission is to provide a space for connecting through the arts, offering dance, music, theater, and other performing arts programs.
Cynthia Crass, Lineage’s Executive Director, said the company’s is committed to accessibility.
“For the last 25 years, Lineage has created a community where the arts are accessible to all,” Crass said in a press release.
The fall season will begin on Sept. 20, 2024, showcasing the company’s diverse creativity. “Lineage Live” will run from Sept. 20-22, featuring performances by over 20 Lineage artists and highlighting collaborations from the past quarter-century.
On Oct. 6, “Healing Blue” will present stories of women’s struggles and triumphs over cancer. This performance continues Lineage’s tradition of gathering and sharing cancer survivors’ experiences, which began in 2005. A free “Movement Through Cancer” workshop will be held on Sept. 28.
From Oct. 21 to Nov. 3, “Matter of Time” will transform the historic Gamble House into a time-traveling experience. This original dance, theater, and storytelling event will take visitors through cultural, political, and historical events from the 1950s to 1999.
The fall season concludes on Dec. 8 with “A New Day,” marking World AIDS Day. This event will honor those affected by HIV/AIDS, reflecting on the 43 years since the first cases were identified.
Lineage’s impact extends beyond performances. The company provides Teaching Artists to local schools, including John Muir High School, Blair Middle/High School, Altadena Arts Magnet, and Eliot Arts Magnet. It also runs a Dance for Joy program for adults with neurological differences.
As Lineage looks to the future, it plans to expand its educational programs and community partnerships. The spring season will culminate in a full production of Jonathan Larson’s “Rent,” further showcasing the company’s artistic range.
The Lineage Performing Arts Center is located at 920 E. Mountain Ave. near Lake Ave. in Pasadena. For more information, contact Lineage Executive Director Cynthia Crass at (626) 844-7008 or cynthia@lineagepac.org.
