Westside Ballet Upcoming Performances to Feature Palisades Dancers, Honor Local First Responders

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Westside Ballet of Santa Monica will present “Masters of Movement,” with performances on Saturday, May 31, and Sunday, June 1, at 1 p.m. featuring Pacific Palisades dancers.

The event will feature several works that demonstrate “the depth and versatility” of the company’s pre-professional and student dancers.

“This season’s performances will also include ‘Le Conservatoire,’ excerpts from the charming ballet ‘Coppélia’ by Arthur Saint-Léon, and a contemporary work choreographed by Mark Tomasic, the Dance Department chair at Santa Monica College,” according to a statement.

Additional features include the debut of an original ballet for the company’s youngest performers and Jazz Director Michele Bachar Mendicelli’s arrangement of “Cabarat,” which will showcase “the dancers’ versatility with … Mendicell’s signature jazz style.”

“The two-day ‘Masters of Movement’ performances have been crafted by leading and emerging talent alike to honor the rich heritage and bright future of the organization,” the statement continued.

The “Masters of Movement” performances at The Eli and Edythe Broad Stage in Santa Monica feature a convergence of ballet dancers, including Palisadians Addison Russell, Carlin McCaffrey, Imogen Marble, Ines Macpherson, Kaia Sappington, Laurel O’Donnell, Olivia Yu, Valentina Finci, Zoe Nakamura and Zola Maksimo.

“Going to rehearsals every week helped me overcome the trauma and loss of losing my home in the Palisades fire,” Finci shared. “I will never forget the first rehearsal after the fire when I learned my part in the Spring Show. It gave me something to practice and look forward to during hard [times]. I practiced every week and dedicated myself to getting better at it. I am so grateful that I can perform in the Westside Spring Show.”

The gala is set for 7 p.m. on May 31, which will recognize the “heroic work” of the Santa Monica and Los Angeles Fire and Police Departments’ first responders with the Huntley Santa Monica Beach Hotel Community Arts Award. The Gala will also feature guest artists and celebrated choreography.

The Gala and Spring Showcase events will take place at The Broad Stage.

“The Gala and Spring Showcase will feature 11-year-old Westside Ballet prodigy Spencer Collins, who was recently awarded the prestigious Hope Award at the 2025 Youth America Grand Prix Finals—the highest honor of the entire competition—ranking him as the top dancer in his age group worldwide across both boys and girls,” according to the statement.

A portion of the proceeds from the gala will support Westside Ballet’s Fire Relief Scholarship Fund, which was “established in response to the devastating Los Angeles fires of early 2025.”

“Over 55 families within the Westside Ballet community—including students, faculty, directors and alumni—lost their homes in the Palisades and Altadena fires,” according to the company. “The Fire Relief Scholarship Fund assists with tuition, performance fees and dancewear replacements, ensuring these young dancers can continue their training despite personal hardship. This funding and recognition of those who go above and beyond continues Westside Ballet’s long history of community support.”

The gala program will feature Jerome Robbins’ “Other Dances” and “Circus Polka,” Justin Peck’s “Bloom,” and more.

Artistic Director Martine Harley spoke on the event’s significance and the opportunity to “experience ballet through the ages,” from August Bournonville’s classical 19th-century techniques to Robbins’ mid-century works and Peck’s contemporary innovations.

“These performances celebrate our rich history and our continued commitment to developing the next generation of exceptional dancers,” Harley said.

Spring Showcase tickets are $50, and the Gala performance is priced at $195.

Looking ahead, Westside School of Ballet will also be offering weekly day camps for dancers ages 4 to 7 from June 16 through August 1, and August 11 through August 15, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The program features dance and choreography, crafts, music exploration, and more. There are also Summer Intensives and Workshops available.

Tickets can be purchased online at westsideballet.com/springtix. For more information or to sign up for Westside Ballet’s camps, visit westsideballet.com/summer.

The Westside Chapter of The National Charity League celebrated the Class of 2025—which includes Palisadian members—during a Senior Recognition Ceremony at Brentwood Country Club. The milestone acknowledged the accomplishments of each Ticktocker, but also “the lasting bond between mothers and daughters,” as well as the “continued dedication of our Patronesses who have supported them throughout their six-year journey.” Learn more about the Westside Chapter at nationalcharityleague.org/chapter/westside.

Neighbors from upper Marquez Knolls gathered for a potluck Saturday, May 10, at a party hosted by Dennis and Naomi Flagg and Carolyn and Bill Highberger.

Palisades Beautiful, Gates Security, Palisades P.R.I.D.E., Palisades Village Green, American Legion Ronald Reagan – Palisades Post 283 and Palisades Garden Cafe co-hosted a cleanup of the Village area on Saturday, May 10. More than 25 volunteers attended, splitting into groups that went around the Village and to Palisades Charter High School—filling “dozens of bags,” Palisades Beautiful Founder Noah Martin said. The group had lunch from Palisades Garden Cafe at Post 283 after the cleanup concluded.

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

Many young aspiring filmmakers’ talents were on display during Paul Revere Charter Middle School’s 11th annual Film Festival, which took place on Friday, May 16, in the campus’ auditorium.

“We’re proud to share that this year’s event is one of the first major community gatherings following the Palisades fire, a meaningful milestone for many local families who were displaced,” said Jordan Moore, who organized the festivities with fellow Paul Revere parent Susan Fitzer, Assistant Principal Justin Koretz, teacher Jon Hyman and JoAnn Rodriguez (parent and community relations). “Our students, many of whom were directly impacted by the fire, have poured their hearts into their films. This year’s festival stands not only as a celebration of their creativity but also of their resilience and the strength of our community.”

The show began with students posing for photographs on the red carpet with their project collaborators, friends and families, then everyone gathered in the auditorium to watch an hour-long presentation featuring all 27 nominated films, ranging from one to three minutes in length. Guests were encouraged to buy raffle tickets while treating themselves to sweets, beverages and slices of Flour Pizza.

“We’d like to thank you for attending this powerful night of student storytelling and community spirit,” Fitzer said to an attentive and enthusiastic audience of parents, students and faculty. “Our Film Festival once again demonstrates the amazing creativity and talent of our wonderful students. It’s made possible by the hard work of our contributing students, our team of dedicated organizers, our wonderful panel of judges, and our very generous sponsors and donations.”

This year’s judges were industry veterans in film writing, directing and editing: Phillip J. Bartell, whose editing credits include “Lilo & Stitch” and “Haunted Mansion,”; Fred Coury, drummer for the multi-platinum band Cinderella for 30 years and an award-winning film and television composer; Aaron Kenny, a film and theater composer who has worked on the songs and scores to the live-action “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast;” and Lori Korngiebel, an Emmy Award-winning producer with 30 years of experience in post production, animation, feature films and documentaries.

Judges also included Jana Sue Memel, executive VP of Schools and Entertainment at the Academy of Art University, who has produced, written and/or directed over 100 short films, 30 feature-length films, documentaries, television and theme park rides; Tia Nolan, a feature film editor on “Bewitched” in 2005, “Avengers: End Game” in 2019 and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness in 2022”; Brian Pimental, who has specialized in animation and whose roles have ranged from story artist to writer to head of story to director; Gabe Sachs, an alumnus of the USC School of Cinematic Arts who has worked on TV projects like “Freaks and Geeks” and “Just Shoot Me”; and Lisa L. Silver, an animation editor at Walt Disney Animation.

Gold trophies were awarded to the top three in each of six categories: Commercial, Animation, Live-Action, Public Service Announcement, Documentary and Music Video.

Taking first place in the PSA category was “Teach Resilience,” directed by Austin Geiger. Second place went to “Don’t Trash Revere,” produced by Frederic Vial’s Screenwriting and Filmmaking class, and “Exercise Is Important” (director Brianna Reyes) came in third.

In the Commercial category, Ethan Nedjati’s “Glacier Water” garnered first-place honors, “Drop Stop” (directed by Eli Rokhsar) was runner-up and “3 Reasons Why to Go to Italy” by Ariana Zolfaghari Bazih was third.   

Emma Mack’s “A Cool School Movie” was No. 1 in the Animation category, “How Spicy Food Takes Effect on Your Body” (directed by Melanie Lee) took second place and third place went to “Schrodinger’s Terms and Conditions” (directed by August Brancato).

The first-place Documentary film was Austin Geiger’s “Alpacas!” Taking second place was “Marina Del Ray,” highlighting the history and aquatic life in the sunny seaside community, directed by Aaron Goldberg, Gabe Smith and Sandro Prilusky. Third was GG Bostic’s “Palisades Fire Documentary.”

First place in the Music Video category was Eli Rokhsar’s “I Get Those Tardies Every Time.” Second place went to “Leave the Door Open ASL” (written, directed and edited by Eli and Logan McClune) and “You’ve Got a Friend in Me,” a film by Eric Wechsler’s Yearbook and Journalism classes, was awarded third place.    

“Imaginary Friend” (directed by Pugliesa Schwartz) took top honors in the Live Action category, Ali Jackson’s “Invisa Man Goes Wrong” was second and “Mark Williams Falls Back,” under the direction of Austin Geiger and Peter McCarthy, came in third place.   

Winner of the Spirit of the Festival Award (named in honor of founder Lisa Robbins) was the documentary “Always Look for the Helpers,” showing Revere students gathering in the gym at University High School after being evacuated during the Palisades fire, created by Eric Wechsler’s Yearbook class.

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The Palisadian-Post accepts poem submissions throughout the year. The following piece was penned by Darcy Mullane who lived in Pacific Palisades for 15 years until 2024. To submit a poem for consideration, email mypost@palipost.com.

Eulogy for the Pacific Palisades

Oh, city of stars, city of dreams,

If I follow the path

Of smoke and ash

Will I find where I used to be?

Where I found my footing,

Where four through eighteen,

I became more and more like me.

Where winter never seemed to freeze,

And summer brought soft ocean breeze.

Or will I find the debris

Of sweet 1180 Fiske street?

Oh, Pacific Palisades,

The magic you hold didn’t burn away

Only the homes, that made you, you,

And the one that made me, me.

Even the dolphins, the blossoms, the mountain lions

Will come back.

The faint buzz of PCH and Sunset will grace our ears again.

We’ll never be the same,

But our cherished town will rise up from this flame.