2 the Pointe...
From September 7 - 17, 2006, Houston Ballet launches its thirty-seventh season with Simple Elegance, a program of premieres by three of the world's most influential choreographers: Stanton Welch, Glen Tetley and Hans van Manen. A new large scale classical work by Stanton Welch will be unveiled. Also on the program are the Houston premieres of "Voluntaries," American master Glen Tetley's breathtaking tribute to John Cranko, and "Grosse Fuge" by Holland's best known dance maker Hans van Manen. Houston Ballet will give six performances of "Simple Elegance" in Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713 227 2787 or by visiting www.houstonballet.org.
The Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre (ANBT) has selected its yearly scholarship recipients for the 2006-2007 season. The following twelve students were awarded Liberace Scholarships: Rusne Kuzmickas, (Odyssey Charter School) Katia Brim, (Odyssy Charter School) Alexia Lombard, (Cornerstone Christian Academy) Francesca Manto, (St. Ann's School) Sierra Kinsora, (Saville Middle School) Paris Bramson, (Cornerstone Christian Academy) Jorin Stinar, (St. Elizabeth Ann Seton) Marciel Ramos, (Becker Middle School) Penelope Borg, (K.O. Knudson School) Alexandra Keft, (Staton Elementary School) and Aista Cechaviciute (Piggott Elementary). Michelle Davis (home schooled) was the recipient of the Nancy Houssels Scholarship.
Donna Delseni has been named as the new director of the Nashville School of Ballet...at Columbia College Chicago, their season opens with Chicago choreographer Peter Carpenter, Sept. 14-16 and then Britain's Siobhan Davies Dance Company performs on Sept. 28-30. Visit
www.dancecenter.org for more information...Philadanco performs at The Joyce in New York, Oct. 3-8...The upcoming workshop in the Tradition in Tap series will feature The Silver Belles. The workshop will take place in New York City November 10-12, 2006. For more information, visit their website, www.TraditioninTap.org.
The NYIBC will relocate to the Rose Theater for the June 20-24, 2007 event. The deadline for submissions for the next event is January 17, 2007. Female entrants must be between 17 and 23 years of age. Male entrants must be between 18 and 24 years of ago. All dancers must enter with competing partner, but are judged individually. Dancers are scheduled to arrive in New York June 6, two weeks prior to the Competition, to learn the three pas de deux with which they will compete (the pas de deux, which are not announced in advance, are named at Orientation, so that all dancers start on equal footing). Each day of the two-week preparation period begins with company class, followed by learning and coaching sessions of the three pas de deux. Eleanor d'Antuono is Artistic Director of NYIBC, and teaching and coaching staff will be announced in a later release. In addition to sending a bio, photos, and recommendations, dancers are encouraged to submit a dancing video (DVD or VHS). Deadline is January 17, 2007. Entries should be sent to New York International Ballet Competition, 119 West 57th Street, suite 1215, New York NY U.S.A. 10019.
From September 21 - October 1, 2006, Houston Ballet delivers an early Halloween treat with Ben Stevenson's blockbuster production of "Dracula," set to the music of Franz Liszt in an arrangement by John Lanchbery. Houston Ballet will give seven performances of "Dracula" in the Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston. Tickets may be purchased by calling 713 227 2787 or by visiting the company's Web Site at www.houstonballet.org.
For next year, National Dance Week will be cel-ebrated from April 20 through April 29, 2007. The leaders for the new year are: Nancy Stone will continue as Honorary National Chairperson; David Howard will serve as National Education Spokesperson; John O'Hurley and Charlotte Jorgensen will be serving as National Celebrity Spokespersons.
On Thursday, October 5, 2006 - Sunday, October 8, 2006, the Carnival Center Performing Arts (originally-the Miami Performing Arts Center, but recently renamed thanks to a multimillion-dollar naming gift from Carnival Corporation and the Knight Foundation), designed by world-renowned architect Cesar Pelli, will celebrate its grand opening with four days of festivities. The highly anticipated 570,000 sq. ft. Center boasts two principal buildings - the 2,400-seat Sanford and Dolores Ziff Ballet Opera House, an elegant setting for opera, dance and Broadway; and the 2,200-seat Knight Concert Hall which provides the ideal venue for a range of events.
Thursday, October 5th - The grand opening kicks off with a public ceremony, on the outdoor Plaza For The Arts followed by "The Concert for Miami" - featuring Gloria Estefan and other celebrity friends (produced by Emilio Estefan).
Friday, October 6th - with a program of classical and contemporary music including commissioned orchestral work by Steven Mackey. Artistic Director Michael Tilson Thomas will conduct the New World Symphony with guest artists Measha Brueggergosman and Maxim Vengerov.
Saturday, October 7th - Florida Grand Opera will present Act II of "La Bohème," conducted by Stewart Robertson, featuring American soprano Patricia Racette and Miami City Ballet will present Act III of "The Sleeping Beauty." Simultaneously, a grand opening gala will be taking place inside the Carnival Concert Hall. The party continues as The Center will be transformed into a massive after hours dance club with top notch DJ's.
Sunday, October 8th - the celebration is rounded out with "Global Beat"- free gospel, calypso, samba, and hip hop performances by a host of local musicians and performers.
The International Ballet Festival of Miami will take place in multiple venues throughout South Florida from August 25 to September 10. For more information, visit the site of the sponsoring organization, www.miamihispanicballet.com