Petaluma's North Coast Ballet California enjoys long history, fresh start

North Coast Ballet California will celebrate both its new name and its 35th anniversary Saturday with its 2016 season opener “At Twilight: A Celebration of the Arts” at the Petaluma Arts Center.

The company began with eight dancers in 1981 and was renamed Petaluma City Ballet in 1989. The company currently has 15 dancers ranging in age from 14 to 20, and a new training program serving 17 dancers aged 10 to 13.

“The new name reflects our continuing involvement not only in Petaluma but our surrounding communities, as well as nationally, through our membership in Regional Dance America,” said Ann Derby, North Coast’s artistic director and owner/director of the Petaluma School Ballet.

Alumni who have gone on to professional ballet careers including Laurel Lynch, now with the Mark Morris Dance Group in New York, and Karen Wing, who dances at Ballet Met in Columbus, Ohio.

Saturday’s performance begins at 7 p.m. at the arts center, 230 Lakeville St., Petaluma. Tickets cost $55 in advance at eventbrite.com, or $65 at the door, which includes tastes of local wine and food.

The company will present its 30th annual production of “The Nutcracker” in December. Information: 765-2660.

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @danarts.