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Spring is in the air, with the school year ripening into ... recital time! After you go see your little darlings twirl in their tutus, take them to see other young students and pre-professional dancers sharing the stage with selected professionals; there are a handful of lively, family-friendly shows to choose from this weekend.
Marking their season's final production, The School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Dance Ensemble presents the beloved ballet classic Coppélia, staged by Patricia Rozow, after the legendary Frederic Franklin. The cast features guest artist Rene Micheo (now retired from Cincinnati Ballet) in the role of Dr. Coppelius, along with supplemental dance talent from UC's College-Conservatory of Music. (April 28-30 at SCPA's Abigail Cutter Theater, 513-363-8100.)
Because ballet has historically been a medium for imaginative storytelling, its close associations with classic fairytales should come as no surprise — it might even encourage children to read. That's the hope of ballet tech ohio's Leaping for Literacy project. Each spring the company produces an onstage interpretation of a beloved children's story. The program also includes free promotional outreach performances in area libraries and bookstores as well as a poster and poetry contest for youngsters. Instilling a love of reading and an appreciation for the arts at an early age sounds like a good plan to me. ...
Spring is in the air, with the school year ripening into ... recital time! After you go see your little darlings twirl in their tutus, take them to see other young students and pre-professional dancers sharing the stage with selected professionals; there are a handful of lively, family-friendly shows to choose from this weekend.
Marking their season's final production, The School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Dance Ensemble presents the beloved ballet classic Coppélia, staged by Patricia Rozow, after the legendary Frederic Franklin. The cast features guest artist Rene Micheo (now retired from Cincinnati Ballet) in the role of Dr. Coppelius, along with supplemental dance talent from UC's College-Conservatory of Music. (April 28-30 at SCPA's Abigail Cutter Theater, 513-363-8100.) ...
Because ballet has historically been a medium for imaginative storytelling, its close associations with classic fairytales should come as no surprise — it might even encourage children to read. That's the hope of ballet tech ohio's Leaping for Literacy project. Each spring the company produces an onstage interpretation of a beloved children's story. The program also includes free promotional outreach performances in area libraries and bookstores as well as a poster and poetry contest for youngsters. Instilling a love of reading and an appreciation for the arts at an early age sounds like a good plan to me. ...
With ballet tech ohio's second annual Leaping for Literacy production, Happily Ever After (April 28-29 at the Aronoff Center's Jarson-Kaplan Theater, 513-621-2787), audiences won't need to choose just one tale — artistic director/choreographer Claudia Rudolf Barrett has imaginatively melded together delightful vignettes from five classics, with lively choreography specially created to bring a host of characters to life. It's a veritable roll-call of favorites: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and others, led by the mischievous Wily Witch and her two silly sidekicks, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum. The show features the school's pre-professional dancers from ages 6 to 16 sharing the stage with Liza Svodsnes, Ben Walker II and Cincinnati Ballet's Michael Wardlaw. Will there be a happy ending? Judging by the title, I'd say it's a safe bet. ...
Eat your heart out, Disney — the fairytales keep coming! The well-established Anneliese von Oettingen School of Ballet and Ballet Companies continue their tradition of presenting quality classics with Peter Pan (April 29 at College of Mount St. Joseph Auditorium, 513-481-0092) choreographed by artistic director Laura Hughes. Even younger audience members (or wigglers) can enjoy a shorter version (for free!); excerpts will be performed followed by a chance for the kids to dance and interact with Peter Pan, Tinkerbell and co. May 6 at the Cincinnati Art Museum and May 7 at the Public Library Main Branch's atrium. ...
It's quite a "young dancers" moment in Cincinnati, with recent news that 12 SCPA students are appearing in "Summer Skin," a new music video from Indie Pop sensations Death Cab for Cutie. With local production house Lightborne behind the work, this sounds like another moment in the spotlight for our fair city. ...
Some news from the world of "grown-up" ballet: Five Cincinnati Ballet dancers have traveled to Moscow to vie for awards against top international artists in the prestigious Benois de la Danse competition (think Oscars for ballet). The Ballet's artistic director Victoria Morgan will serve on the jury along with seven other judges from all over the world. Wish them luck — or rather, say "merde" (also stage parlance for good luck). ...
Take a short trip up I-75 to catch Dayton Ballet's world premiere of There Was a Time, an offbeat narrative recounting life-changing events through the eyes of a brother and sister during the '60s and '70s. (April 27-30 at Victoria Theatre, 888-228-3630.)
