Mikhail Baryshnikov’s first L.A. performance in five years

Legendary dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov, in his first visit to Los Angeles since 2004, helped to launch the second season of the one-year-old Broad Stage, Santa Monica College’s performing arts venue. More than $350,000 was raised at the opening gala for the Broad Stage’s 2009-10 season with a dinner and performance on Friday, September 4th.

In attendance for the sold-out performance included major donors Eli and Edythe Broad, plus actors Don Cheadle, Gena Rowlands and Ali McGraw, former Mayor Richard Riordan, and author Judith Krantz.

Kicking off their international tour’s U.S. visit, Baryshnikov at age 61, and dance partner Ana Laguna who is 54, showed aspiring - and even seasoned - dancers that there's so much more to mastery of the form than age alone.

Photo: Baryshnikov with David Mamet. Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images.

Click here to read the LA Time Blog piece about the gala.