Big Budah went to Ballet West Tuesday morning to bring you a preview of Ballet West's upcoming events "Beer & Ballet" and "Almost Tango." Use the video players above to watch the segments as seen on FOX 13's Live at Eleven and Live at Noon.
The following press releases from Ballet West contain additional information:
JOIN BALLET WEST FOR TWO OF THE HOTTEST EVENINGS THIS SPRING
Much-loved Beer & Ballet returns alongside new Spring Celebration
SALT LAKE CITY – March 12, 2015 – Experience two hotly-anticipated Ballet West events this spring, including the return of Beer & Ballet, April 9 and Ballet West’s new event, Spring Celebration: A Salute to Design and Movement, May 1.
Past revelers know Beer & Ballet is a rare chance to party in the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre’s grand lobby, and this year will be no different. Enjoy craft beer from Epic Brewing, light appetizers, and a special sneak preview of a Ballet West performance with hundreds of your fellow dance lovers. Tickets are limited and sell out quickly.
Ballet West’s first-ever, Spring Celebration: A Salute to Design and Movement will be a not-to-be-missed party for hundreds of fun-seeking dance lovers at Ballet West’s new multi-million dollar home, the Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Centre. Partiers will dance, dine and enjoy the evening with friends, colleagues and Ballet West dancers in the company’s beautiful studios and on the rooftop terrace overlooking the city lights. Attendees will get up close and personal with Ballet West costumes, watch makeup artists transform ballet dancers into iconic characters, and even throw their names in the hat to win original costume sketches, or one of the Swan Lake tutus that was worn in Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off” video.
Those interested may attend both events for just $175 (a savings off the total $205 price) and get a free collector’s beer glass! Purchased separately, Beer & Ballet is $40 ($50 at the door) and Spring Celebration is $150. Tickets may be purchased now at www.balletwest.org/spring or by calling (801) 869-6920. All proceeds from these events benefit Ballet West’s educational and artistic programs.
BALLET WEST PRESENTS A DAZZLING TRIPLE BILL: ALMOST TANGO, WITH SQUARE DANCE, AND IN THE MIDDLE, SOMEWHAT ELEVATED
SALT LAKE CITY – March 12, 2015 – The stage will sizzle with Ballet West’s production of Almost Tango, coming to the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, April 10-19 for just eight performances.
The triple bill has something for everyone, starting with George Balanchine’s joyous Square Dance, replete with breathtaking speed and precision from the dancers, and the Baroque strains of Vivaldi and Corelli’s music. Look for the familiar face of Artistic Director, Adam Sklute who will take the whimsical live musical acting role of the square dance caller. “I have performed the role of the square dance caller a number of times in the past, so I’m excited to revisit it.” Said Sklute. “I’m also honored to join my dancers on the stage and make my performing premiere with Ballet West.”
Next, on the program is the Utah premiere of resident choreographer Nicolo Fonte’s sensual and powerful Almost Tango, specially re-choreographed for Ballet West. This seductive dance explores the physicality of tango and the development of this dance in South America, and features ten men and four women; the men outnumber the women, as they did in the Argentinian tango halls in the early 20th Century. The piece has been praised around the world and received numerous awards, “Almost Tango is so rich in movement and images, with so many dimensions to fill your senses that it never leaves you dull.” Said Azlan Ezzadin of Critical Dance.
The program culminates with the fierce and dynamic Ballet West revival William Forsythe’s brilliantly innovative masterpiece In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated. Created in 1987 for the Paris Opera Ballet, this piece was recognized immediately as a contemporary classic. Featuring an ingenious and piercing electronic score by Thom Willems that is reminiscent of 1980’s techno music. The ballet places enormous technical demands on the dancers who must dance with a ferocious energy but with a cool and nonchalant style.
“I choose to put these three works together because in subtle and unique ways they are all explorations into the melding of classical ballet and various types of social dancing,” Said Mr. Sklute. “The program inspires and challenges our dancers to the extreme and hopefully will build the same excitement in our audiences.”
In conjunction with the production, Ballet West offers Warm Ups before each performance. These fun and informative discussions with members of the artistic staff are free of charge to ticket holders and begin promptly one-hour prior to each performance. Attendees will get insider information on the evening’s program including background on the ballets, information on the choreographers, and other interesting behind-the-scenes facts. At Warm Ups, members of the Ballet West artistic staff are also available to answer any questions that audience members may have.
With just eight performances of Almost Tango, tickets will sell out. They are now available starting at just $29 online at www.balletwest.org or by calling the Ballet West ticket offices at (801) 869-6900.
