The world’s leading exponent of Pacific contemporary dance, Black Grace Dance Company, will be performing at the Valley Performing Art Center, Saturday March 23.

Black Grace will perform to a fusion of Pacific and contemporary dance in a dynamic form and are internationally renowned for its artistry, creative excellence and innovation.

This is the fifth time that Black Grace will be presenting in the United States, and their first performance in California. Their performance at the VPAC is part of their North American tour through Canada and the United States. Their performance at Cal State Northridge will be the last performance of their tour. The dance group has performed extensively in New Zealand and have tour  through Europe and Japan as well.

Black Grace is led by top New Zealand adorned choreographer, Neil Ieremia, founder and artistic director of Black Grace Dance Company. Ieremia was the recipient of the 2005 Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award for outstanding creative achievement and his contribution to the Arts in New Zealand. He is also recipient of the Paul D. Fleck Fellowship in the Arts from The Banff Centre, Canada.

Publications in Germany, New Zealand and New York praise the Black Grace Dance Company for their stunning choreography. Black Grace Dance Company has held a unique position on the world stage for over 17 years. The mayor of Honolulu, Hawaii made February 6, 2010 “Black Grace Day.”

Their performance will start at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall in the VPAC and tickets range from $35, $50 and $65.