Lord of the Dance

Back in the neon-colored-jackets-with-rolled-up-sleeves-days of ’80s Miami, cocaine cowboys, a decrepit SoBe, and, of course, Miami Vice, were synonymous with our “paradise lost.” Who would’ve thought, then, of moving here and heading a dance program for youth? Daniel “Danny” Lewis, that’s who. In 1987, Lewis became Dean of Dance at New World School of the Arts (NWSA). Before heading to South Florida, he graduated from Juilliard, joined Jose Limón Dance Company, taught at several institutions, staged works and choreographed operas for various companies, created the Limón Institute, and wrote a book on the famous Mexican modern dance pioneer. Twenty-four years later, Lewis is stepping down from his post, and his students will pay him tribute — with their feet. This Saturday, his tenure will be celebrated with “Daniel Lewis — A Life of Dance,” a concert that begins at 8 p.m. at Gusman Center for the Performing Arts. The tribute concert will feature performances by Gerri Houlihan, Michael Uthoff, Jim May, Robert Battle, Carla Maxwell, Martha Graham Dance Company, Rosie Herrera Dance Company, Tango for All Company, and, of course, choreographers and alumni from NWSA.
Sat., Feb. 5, 8 p.m., 2011