Enjoy cuisine and cocktails honoring the rich culture of Japan along with a preview performance of guest choreographer, Yoshito Sakuraba's, new work on the company. Join us in fundraising for the Halsted Choreography Fund's next project with acclaimed artist, Maxine Doyle.

ABOUT YOSHITO SAKURABA

Yoshito Sakuraba serves as the artistic director of Abarukas. Originally from Japan, Yoshito began his artistic pursuits in New York City, which marked the beginning of a career that has since brought his creations to stages in Germany, Poland, Italy, Spain, Israel, Mexico, and the United States. Yoshito feels privileged to have shared his work at prestigious venues such as the Joyce Theater, BAM Fisher, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Jacob's Pillow, Kaatsbaan, and the McCallum Theater.

His journey in dance has been graced with several awards, including the Best Choreography Award at the FINI Dance Festival in Italy and the Audience Award at the Masdanza International Contemporary Dance Festival in Spain. He is also grateful to have been recognized by the NW Dance Project's Pretty Creatives and Whim W'Him's Shindig.

His choreographic vision has been sought after by institutions and companies worldwide, allowing him to work with esteemed organizations such as NW Dance Project, Whim W’Him, the Bayerisches Staatsballett in Munich, DAF in Rome, Lamondance in Vancouver, Louisville Ballet, Ballet Arkansas, Ballet Des Moines II, Newport Contemporary Ballet, Litvak Dance, Pony Box Dance Theater, Nimbus Dance, Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, Graham II, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, Salt Contemporary Dance’s Link Festival, the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, and Jamaica Performing Arts Center.  
Passionate about fostering the growth of emerging artists, Yoshito has had the honor of teaching, choreographing, and guiding young talents at respected institutions including the Joffrey Ballet School, Martha Graham School, Paul Taylor School, Alvin Ailey/Fordham University, University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Peabody at Johns Hopkins University, Marymount Manhattan College, Barnard College, Vassar College, Reed College, DLNY, MOVE l NYC, and Steps on Broadway Conservatory.