Pop-up dance performances punctuate the ArtWalk launching this year's Laguna Dance Festival, a 10-day swirl of performances, workshops and master classes. Festival director Jodie Gates has recruited New York City Ballet's Tiler Peck and Joaquin De Luz to headline the festival gala performance (April 14), which includes dancers from Colorado Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, River North Dance Chicago Company and San Francisco's Alonzo King LINES Ballet. Among the individual performances, look for the return of Philadelphia's contemporary ballet troupe Ballet X (April 13), led by choreographer Matthew Neenan and Christine Cox. Among Ballet X's impressive lineup, standouts are the explosive Colby Damon and Chloe Horne, a riveting, organic ballet dancer. Opening ArtWalk at the Laguna Art Museum, 307 Cliff Drive, and other art galleries; Thurs., April 5; 6:45-8 p.m.; festival runs thru April 15; free. Complete schedule of festival performances and other events, venues and ticket prices at

Mondays-Sundays. Starts: April 5. Continues through April 15, 2012

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