Dance fans can look forward to two free performances by BalletMet Columbus as summer comes to an end: the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival August 17 and 18 at Akron’s Firestone Park and Rhythm on the River August 31 at the Riverfront Amphitheater in Columbus.
BalletMet to Perform at Akron Dance Festival
Dance aficionados can enjoy a performance under the stars when BalletMet Columbus takes the stage in the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival, August 17 and 18 at Akron’s Firestone Park. The performances begin at 8:45pm and are free and open to the public.
Sponsored by the City of Akron, the festival features four weekends of performances by Ohio dance companies. The festival honors the legacy of Heinz Poll, the founding Artistic Director of Ohio Ballet, Akron’s first professional dance company.
BalletMet’s program will include selections from the 2007-2008 season and past favorites:
* Heinz Poll’s Bolero, a passionate work set to the music of Ravel;
* Jimmy Orrante’s crowd pleasing Ad Infinitum, set to the poignant songs of Simon and
Garfunkel;
* Harrison McEldowney’s Dance Sport, a witty satire on competitive sports and professional dance and Call It Off, a light-hearted glimpse at a lovers’ quarrel,
* And a romantic pas de deux from the classic love story Romeo and Juliet.
BalletMet Artistic Director Gerard Charles will also teach a master class during the Festival at 3pm August 18. The class is for advanced level students and dancers and costs $10. Other participating Ohio companies include GroundWorks Dancetheater and Verb Ballets. The Artistic Directors of these companies—David Shimotakahara and Hernando Cortez, respectively—are both participating in BalletMet’s 30x30, August 6 – 26. In celebration of BalletMet’s 30th anniversary, 30 choreographers from across the country will create 30 new works in 30 hours.
BalletMet Columbus to Perform at Rhythm on the River
BalletMet Columbus offers a glimpse of their 30th anniversary season lineup when they perform at the Riverfront Amphitheater, Genoa Park, on Friday, August 31 at 8pm as part of Music in the Air’s Rhythm on the River series. Admission is free.
The program will feature excerpts from the company’s upcoming season as well as a few favorites from previous seasons. The public is invited to arrive early and watch the dancers warm up prior to the performance.
BalletMet’s 2007-2008 season kicks off with 30x30, through August 26, an ambitious project with 30 choreographers creating 30 new works in 30 hours. Also on the season lineup is the seductive favorite Dracula, the family classic The Nutcracker and the world premiere of Aladdin.
“BalletMet’s summer would not seem complete without our annual Riverfront performance,” said Artistic Director Gerard Charles. “It offers wonderful entertainment set against a beautiful backdrop of the river and downtown skyline.” -- www.balletmet.org
Comment and add to the story without registration, but keep the comments meaningful please. Links are not accepted.
