Los Angeles, CA — In a city where culture pulses through concrete and music lives in murals, Dance and Dialogue is taking center stage to do what LA does best: bring people together. On April 30th at the historic Wilshire Ebell Theatre, the nonprofit will host Celebrate LA!, an electrifying community performance that fuses movement, music, and mentorship to remind Angelenos that our differences are what make us powerful—and art is the thread that connects us all.
From the Classroom to the Stage: A Mission with Feet on the Ground
Founded in 2012 by Ricka Kelsch, Dance and Dialogue isn’t just a feel-good arts program—it’s a lifeline. What began as a movement-based workshop for teens has evolved into a full-blown platform for emotional expression, cultural exchange, and radical inclusion. “The core of our work,” Ricka says, “is about removing fear—fear of failure, fear of judgment—and giving students space to show up as they are.”
Their All City Workshops bring together up to 400 high schoolers from across LAUSD and beyond. These teens don’t just dance. They connect. They drop the masks, leave the ego, and work through choreography that becomes both a shared challenge and a shared joy. Each workshop culminates in a call to action: go home and pay it forward in your community.
A Cast of Icons, A Cause That Matters
This isn’t just another local recital. Dance and Dialogue has cultivated a deep bench of star talent who believe in the mission. Notable attendees for Celebrate LA! include Dmitry Chaplin (Dancing with the Stars), Jeff Thacker(Executive Producer, So You Think You Can Dance), Wally Kurth (General Hospital), Anita Mann (choreographer of Solid Gold), and Glorya Kaufman, patron of USC’s renowned school of dance.
“We’ve had Wade Robson teach our students. We’ve had Mark Kanemura, Bill Goodson. These are icons,” Ricka says. “But what’s most powerful is how they show up. They don’t just teach—they listen, connect, and invest. That’s the real gift.”
Legacy Through Expression: When Arts Meets Healing
Ricka’s inspiration comes not only from LA’s vibrant communities, but from her global work across France, Japan, and Mexico. There, she saw the power of multigenerational culture—grandparents at the beach with toddlers, elders respected, voices heard. “Here in America,” she says, “we’re so afraid of aging, of difference. But every culture has value. Every person has something to contribute.”
It’s this belief that drives Dance and Dialogue’s inclusivity. Their performances aren’t just about the youngest, fastest, or trendiest. One ensemble performing at Celebrate LA! is made up of dancers in their 70s. Another will feature folklórico artists educating youth on Mexican tradition and movement. The goal? Cultural education through dance. “Because when we learn someone’s culture, we can’t ‘other’ them so easily,” Ricka adds.
A Safe Space for Transformation
One of the most powerful stories Ricka shared involved a student known only as “Hoodie Boy.” Withdrawn and overlooked, he refused to engage for weeks—until a quiet moment of acknowledgment sparked a ripple of transformation. By week five, the hoodie was off, and he was in the circle. “All he needed,” Ricka says, “was for someone to meet him where he was. That’s what we do.” That moment captures the essence of Dance and Dialogue—a space Rick and her team have built where everyone feels safe to show up fully and express their true selves.
Why Celebrate LA! Matters Right Now
After the trauma of wildfires and a city still navigating complex social, economic, and emotional challenges, Celebrate LA! offers a space to exhale. It’s free. It’s accessible. It’s an open invitation for anyone who’s felt disconnected to come back home to community.
At its heart, Celebrate LA! isn’t just a performance. It’s a promise. That no matter your age, background, or zip code, you have a place in LA’s rhythm—and a voice in its future. For more information about the event and to get access, Click Here
Event Details:
WHEN: Wednesday, April 30 — 7PM Red Carpet, 7:30PM Show Start
WHERE: Wilshire Ebell Theatre, 4401 W 8th St, Los Angeles
Photo credits: Image Courtesy of Dance and Dialogue
