Dancers flock to Las Cruces for Arts Lab Desert Peaks, plan public performance

For the fourth year since its inception, Arts Lab Desert Peaks is hosting dancers from around the U.S. in a two-week workshop in Las Cruces.

The workshop kicked off July 22 , and will run through Aug. 3 when the public is invited to view two public performances. A community gathering with a live DJ and free food was also scheduled for 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. July 25 at Rentfrow Hall.

Fourteen professional dancers from various companies ― Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Eisenhower Dance Detroit and Newport Contemporary Ballet ― will join "pre-professional" performers from the U.S. and Mexico during the workshop.

Joshua L. Peugh, a Las Cruces native will be the workshop's choreographer, while other teachers lead classes in technique and choreography. Peugh is the choreographer for Dark Circles Contemporary Dance.

"The program fosters a supportive environment for professional development, networking, and community building. Dancers fully immerse themselves in our community and their craft, pushing their personal and artistic boundaries," read a news release.

The public will benefit from the dancers' hard work, as public performances are scheduled for 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Plaza de Las Cruces stage. The performance will take place during Las Cruces' Downtown Farmers' Market.

"Arts Lab Desert Peaks is not just about art; it's about injecting vibrancy into our local economy," the news release read. Dancers live and shop in Las Cruces during the workshop, contributing to its local economy.

This year's Arts Lab Desert Peaks is sponsored by a grant from the Devasthali Family Foundation Fund, the Community Foundation of Southern New Mexico and in partnership with New Mexico State University.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Dancers flock to Las Cruces for Arts Lab Desert Peaks, plan public performance