Harlem Dance Troupe Appearance in Doubt

The fate of next week’s local performances by the Dance Theatre of Harlem is uncertain because of San Diego Performances’ continuing financial problems.

The local presenting organization has canceled space in Symphony Hall, where the esteemed New York City-based dance company was scheduled to perform Jan. 17-21.

Nina Doggrell, facilities manager for Symphony Hall, said Suzanne Townsend, San Diego Performances executive director, canceled the dates last week. Ron Dabney, assistant general manager for the Dance Theatre of Harlem, said the scheduled public performances have been canceled, but the company may still come to town and perform special student concerts to commemorate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

“They don’t have the money for the public performances, but there’s still a possibility for the children’s performances,” said Dabney, who added that he was not aware of the cancellation of the dates in Symphony Hall.

Townsend acknowledged releasing the Symphony Hall dates, but said, “The whole issue is unresolved. We don’t have the funding right this minute, but we have some requests out and we hope to know by Wednesday.” Townsend refused to say how many tickets have been sold to the performances or how much money must be raised to sponsor the performances.

Townsend’s organization has been beleaguered by a $450,000 deficit, much of it owed to dance companies and musicians who performed last season. The San Francisco Ballet canceled its local performances of “The Nutcracker” last month because it is still owed $60,000 from its 1988 performances.