Celebrated Dancer Coming

Of particular interest to students is the visit of LA MERI, the famous International Dancer, who opens her season at the Grand Opera House on July 23rd. for six nights only.

La Meri is at present showing in Melbourne, where she has created a sensation as she has done in every other country in which abe has appeared, and will visit New Zealand at the conclusion of the Melbourne season before visiting the other Australian Cities.

La meri has been brought to Australia and New Zealand by Mr. A. D. M. Longden (by arrangement with J. C. Williamson Ltd.) who is well known to New Zealanders, having been responsible for the vistis of John Brownice and other famous artists.

La Meri is a graduate of the COlumbia University and besides being a world-famous dancer is both a violinist and a poetess of no mean calibre. She spent her childhood on the Mexican border, and while still young travelled excesdingly and learned the dances of the countries visited. Fired by an ardent love for the dance she studies under several famous massters. inclucing Tarsoff and Volinine (of the [unclear: Cechetti] School). Michio Oto and Uday Shan Kar (for the Dances of the Orient). and the celebrated Jose Otero, greates of all teachers of the Spanish dance. A feature of the spanish dances performed is the brilliant castanet playing.

At each concert, La Meri dances fifteen or sixteen dancers. changing her costums completely for each dance No change of costume take more than three minutes. Each dance is perfomred in front of black velvet hangings. the lighting being changed for each dance and every one being a completely different interpretation. In several dances. La Meri will be assisted by a young Continental dancer. Laura Mollica, and Mario Salerno a young composer-plainst, who has come from Europe with La Meri. will play piano soos as well as leading the Instrumental Trio for the dances. The entire presentation will be under the personal supervision of Signor Guido Carreras. who has come from Europe with the party, while the unique lighting effects are created by Avaraldo Bertochi.