THIS FRIDAY (8/29) | BalletMet Columbus

A sunset on the Scioto Mile is the perfect setting for a sensational performance by BalletMet dancers in Bicentennial Park! You’re invited to kick off Labor Day weekend with this FREE performance by BalletMet.

A varied bill of dances will be featured in the program. The performance will include a pas de duex from Don Quixote and will also feature a piece performed by the BalletMet Dance Academy students. BalletMet will then take the audience on an exhilarating journey through its upcoming season. This will be the general public’s first look at BalletMet Artistic Director Edwaard Liang’s programming selections for the 2014 – 2015 season.

“Rhythm on the River is such a unique performance series,” said BalletMet Artistic Director Edwaard Liang. “It allows us to bring dance, quite literally, outside the box and into the open air where the beauty of ballet can mingle effortlessly with nature.”

An excerpt from the highly anticipated Twisted: a Trio of Excellence will highlight dance premieres from Val Caniporali and Edwaard Liang and will also feature Columbus Opera singer Katherine Peterson. This collaboration between BalletMet, Opera Columbus and the Columbus Symphony and Chorus will “twist” three art forms – ballet, opera and symphony – together to highlight the best of Columbus’ arts.

Next, the classic fairytale Cinderella will be brought to new life through Edwaard Liang’s choreography for the sweet Cinderella and her wicked step sisters. Gerard Charles’ family favorite, The Nutcracker, will grace the stage with the exquisite Chinese Dance and Snow Pas de Deux, along with an inside look into how they were created.

The evening will also feature a sneak-peak of BalletMet’s new second company, BalletMet 2. Comprised of six highly skilled dancers ages 18-22, BalletMet 2 is a dance academy performing company that leverages dance training, performances and lectures to expand visibility, awareness and knowledge of dance as a profession.

About BalletMet

BalletMet Columbus, renowned for its versatility and innovative repertory, ranks among the nation’s largest dance companies. Since its inception in 1978, BalletMet has made the commission and performance of new works a core organizational priority, with more than 150 World Premieres and hundreds of Company Premieres performed throughout its history. BalletMet stages 60 to 70 performances each year at home and on tour. In the past, the company has toured 28 U.S. states and internationally to Russia, Poland, Egypt, Spain and Canada. BalletMet also developed DanceReach, a series of educational and outreach programs serving nearly 30,000 people annually. The DanceReach program offers up to 60 scholarships each year to talented youth, many from minority and underserved groups, who could not otherwise participate.

Be sure to come out and enjoy BalletMet’s skill, dedication and innovation this Friday night! See you there!

EVENING SCHEDULE:
6:30 p.m. – Food and beverage sales begin
8:00 p.m. – Performance

ARTIST WEBSITE:
https://www.balletmet.org/