HISTORY
Dance Studio "Showtime – Katusha" was founded by its director, Larisa Carlson and is a children's non-profit organization with Slavic roots. Many of our programs are aimed at preserving the beautiful Slavic heritage given to the world through the performing arts: folk dance, traditional music appreciation, and ethnic costumes.
The Studio has been enjoying significant success for 19 years. Our students have been earning momentous acclaims in the Los Angeles area by participating in countless festivals, fairs, competitions and public performances. It has become the premier youth performer of Slavic folk dance in Southern California and, as such, has been invited to various celebrated venues and events, such as the Annual International Folk Dance Festival; the Holiday Celebration at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion (finalist performer); Sunrider International Convention Grand Gala at Anaheim Arena Convention Center; International Folk Dance Festival at Pierce College; the City of West Hollywood Slavic Culture
Festival; Annual Slavic Festival; San Pedro Arts Festival among many others. In addition, the Studio’s performers received numerous awards in prestigious dance competitions, including most recently: the "Spotlight Dance Cup" in Long Beach, CA; "Prime Time National Finals" in L.A, CA, "STARPOWER" National Talent Final in Las Vegas, NV; "SHOWSTOPPER" National Finals at Disneyland; Folk Dance Competition at China Press in Alhambra, CA; Final National Competition "Move" at Palm Springs, CA; "KAR" National Dance Competition, at Redondo Beach, CA.
Dedicated to the preservation of Slavic traditions and folklore, the Studio has been playing a major role in Los Angeles' traditional arts and culture scene. It is a vital contributor to many of the Slavic-themed and/or traditional folk events in Los Angeles and regularly organizes performances during important Slavic ethnic holidays. One of the main Studio’s contributions to the preservation of Slavic culture in Los Angeles is its organization of the Annual Cultural Festival "Russian Celebration" launched in 2008, and Annual cultural Festival "Maslenitsa." The festivals are generously supported by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the City of Los Angeles, and the California Arts Council, as well as multiple community members and the Slavic-American media.
Most recently, Dance Studio Showtime-Katusha received:
-
The award from California Legislature Assembly for the studio's achievements and decades-long service to the community.
-
Studio's Director – Larisa Carlson received the Imperial Medal of Honor for Achievement in Arts from the Head of the Russian Imperial House.
-
The Outstanding Community Service Award from the City of West Hollywood, CA
-
The performing group of Studio participated in the Junior Olympic Games - Dance category- and become a winner of two gold medals!