Dance America

Post-show Art to Heart Q & A with members of the company available for Pilobolus, St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre and Shen Wei Dance Arts

Single tickets $40, 35, 30

Ballet Folklórico de México
Friday, September 28 at 8 p.m.
Ballet Folklórico de México was founded by Amalia Hernández, dancer and choreographer, to preserve the beautiful dancing traditions of Mexico. Hernández searched for a mixture of traditions, while being inspired by the beauty of the Universe in motion. These inspirations incorporated the historic influences of pre-Colombian civilizations and further grew with the Hispanic influences throughout the modern era. With over 40 original ballets, 76 dancers and sophisticated and colorful costumes, Ballet Folklórico has been celebrated worldwide.
"Passionate ... impeccable ... and unequaled point of entry to the riches of a fabulous culure!" - Los Angeles Times

The Whirling Dervishes of Turkey
Saturday, October 27 at 8 p.m.
The Whirling Dervishes of Turkey trace their origin to the 13th century Ottoman Empire. The Dervishes, also known as the Mevlevi Order, are Sufis, a spiritual offshoot of Islam. Whirling is one of the tools used by Sufis (Islamic mystics). The mystical dance of the Whirling ceremony is based on the inspiration of the 13th century world-renowned philosopher and mystical poet Mevlâna Celâleddin-i Rumi (Mevlana Jalal-al-Din Rumi), as well as Turkish custom history, beliefs and culture. The dance is accompanied by the beautiful, haunting and captivating music used by Dervishes.
"When you enter the dance, you leave both worlds behind. The world of dance lies beyond heaven and earth." - Kulliyat (13685;SPL328)

Watch a film on Dervish symbolism
Running time: approx. 12 min. (QuickTime required)

Pilobolus
Friday and Saturday, November 16 and 17 at 8 p.m.
For 30 years, Pilobolus has earned a reputation as one of the world's most innovative and imaginative modern dance companies. Its trademark "combined bodies" choreographic style, kinetic energy and humor have created moving images that are colorful and riveting. A performance by Pilobolus is an ingenious evening of bodies in motion. Pilobolus "...knows how to wow 'em with the agility of cheetahs, the flexibility of earthworms, the strength of a pitbull's jaws." - Herald-Sun
"As zany as the Marx Brothers, as clever as Houdini, this sextet of adept acrobats converts bodies into interlocking and interchangeable parts, erecting structures on stage that are closer to sculpture than dance." - Newsweek

St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre
Yuri Petukhov, Artistic Director
Swan Lake
Friday, March 28 at 8 p.m.
St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre was founded by Peter Gusev, an artist of the Leningrad Opera and Ballet and director of the Kirov Ballet. The company's rich history includes noted Russian directors and choreographers, as well as leading soloists from the Kirov Ballet. The company is constantly extending its repertoire from classical and modern ballet styles, while continuing to incorporate the mastery and high traditions of Russian ballet. The company will perform a full evening program of the classic favorite.

Shen Wei Dance Arts
Saturday, May 3 at 8 p.m.
Shen Wei Dance Arts is dedicated to the creation of new dance in the twenty-first century. The company was founded upon the fusion of art forms: dance, theater, Chinese Opera, painting and sculpture. The multilayered works are based upon research in original movement, spiritual beliefs and development of a unique hybridism between western and eastern cultures. The performances will include works such as Map and Re.
"The end result was far more than 'Chinese calligraphy, part American action painting,'... strikingly original" - the New York Times, Anna Kisselgoff, dance critic

Subscribers save 20%

Dance America
(Any 3 dance events) $96, 84, 72
(Any 4 dance events) $128, 112, 96
(All 5 dance events) $160, 140, 120

Or through flexible Pick 4 or More plan - Single Tickets $40, 35, 30
Programs subject to change.