Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Georgia Youth Ballet Dancers Earn Scholarships

Last week, dancers from Georgia Youth Ballet attended the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association (SERBA) annual festival in Montgomery, Alabama. There they took classes from some of the best choreographers and directors in the world. Several GYB dancers also competed against dancers from SERBA companies from eight other states for scholarships to prestigious summer programs.

Two GYB dancers won scholarships. Pharan Evans, a senior at Starrs Mill High School in Peachtree City, won scholarships to two programs – Atlanta Ballet and Washington School of Ballet in Washington, DC. Evans will attend Atlanta Ballet’s program this summer.

Another senior, Kara Cawley from Flint River Academy in Meriwether County, also won two scholarships – to Alabama Dance Theatre in Montgomery and to Burklyn Ballet in Vermont. Cawley will be attending Alabama Dance Theatre.

GYB dancers will perform on Saturday and Sunday, May 30 and 31 in two different performances in Newnan. May 30 will see the debut of Tales from Neverland, an original retelling of the Peter Pan story choreographed by faculty of The Studio under the direction of Randi Lancaster. The next day (Sunday, May 31) will be GYB’s Company Concert.

This event is a wrap up of dances being rehearsed by GYB’s junior and senior companies over the past year, including the dance choreographed by GYB’s founding director, Magdalena Maury, that was performed earlier this month at the SERBA festival. Both events will take place at Newnan’s Wadsworth Auditorium.

Tickets are available at the door or by calling The Studio at (770) 716-9858. Tickets to each event are $10, with children 6 and under attending free. Patrons who bring Neverland tickets to the Sunday performance will a 50% discount.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Atlanta Ballet Updates the 2009 - 2010 Season

America’s longest continually operating ballet, and, one of Atlanta’s premier institutions has a big year coming up. Atlanta Ballet, known for always breaking ground and setting new trends is updating its exciting 2009-2010 Season. Celebrating its 80th year with a line-up of shows at the Cobb Energy Centre that include beloved favorites and company premieres

Company premieres set for the season include The Magic Flute (October 15 - 24), Pinocchio (one- hour family performances October 24 - 25), The Four Seasons with the 80th Anniversary Celebration (March 25 - 28), and Sheer Exhilaration, an evening of mixed repertoire (May 6 - 9). These new performances are sure to create a season you won’t want to miss. February 4 – 14, Atlanta Ballet will bring back to the stage the beloved classic fairytale, Cinderella. A perfect romance just in time for Valentines!

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker will be celebrating 50 years with this year’s performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, December 11 – 27. Atlanta Ballet is also excited to announce the return of the wild and crazy Nutty Nutcracker (December 20).

This hilarious recreation of everyone’s favorite holiday story benefits the Atlanta Ballet’s Dancer’s Resource Fund. “You will have to come and see for yourself,” says Atlanta Ballet Dancer, John Welker, “I can promise you that it will be the best Nutty Nutcracker you’ll see this year.”

This season is filled with remarkable performances never before performed by the Atlanta Ballet as well as beloved favorites. Make sure to be a part of our exciting season, as Atlanta Ballet celebrates its 80th Anniversary. Season ticket packages range $84 to $360 and are still on sale. For current patrons, Atlanta Ballet staff will be on hand in the lobby throughout the run of Don Quixote, May 7 through the 16th at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. To order season tickets, call 404-892-3303, Monday-Friday, 10am–5pm or visit www.atlantaballet.com.

Founded in 1929, Atlanta Ballet is the longest continuously-operating ballet company in the United States. Atlanta Ballet's eclectic repertoire spans ballet history, highlighted by beloved classics and inventive originals.

Among Atlanta Ballet’s proud and unique 80-year history are its three Artistic Directors, Miss Dorothy Alexander, whose vision brought dance to the South; Robert Barnett, who turned Atlanta Ballet into a professional company; and currently, John McFall. Under McFall’s leadership Atlanta Ballet continues its commitment to share and educate audiences on the empowering joy of dance.

Atlanta Ballet opened the Centre for Dance Education in 1996 and is dedicated to nurturing young dancers while providing an outlet for adults to express their creativity. With diverse class offerings and student population, the Centre serves over 150,000 people in metro Atlanta each year. Atlanta Ballet's roots remain firmly grounded in the Atlanta community and continue to play a vital role in the city's cultural growth and revitalization.
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