Sensory Delight with the Grand Rapids Ballet's Amore and More
Written by Charlsie Dewey
Get ready to feel. The Grand Rapids Ballet's February production, Amoré and More, promises drama, laughter and romance depicted within four captivating works.
The night will begin with a touch of romance as the dancers perform choreographer August Bournonville's "Flower Festival in Genzano."
"'Flower Festival in Genzano' is a romantic work set in an Italian village, performed with energy from Rossini's musical score and the dynamic choreography of Bournonville," said Patricia Barker, artistic director for the Grand Rapids Ballet.
The one-act ballet demands intricate, fast-paced footwork from its dancers.
Next up is Choreographer David Parson's "The Envelope," which is a lighthearted piece that will have audience members emitting laughter as it pokes fun at the bureaucratic paper-pusher.
The dancers have the opportunity to show off their range in this contemporary movement, also set to a Rossini score.
Choreographer Ulysses Dove's "Red Angels" is the featured work of the night and is the most visually stunning with its combination of movement and brilliant color.
Barker said the piece is a "visually dramatic, dynamically charged abstract work highlighting the senses with its intense color, sound and sensual impact."
| Amoré and More Peter Martin Wege Theatre, Grand Rapids Feb. 10-12, 17-19, show times at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $20-$30 grballet.com, (616) 454-4771 |
"The music is a riveting score for electric violin by Richard Einhorn, and is dedicated to Mary Rowell, a violinist. It was written for a five-string electric violin and consists of virtuoso violin solos based on rock drum rhythms. The solo violin is used more percussively than lyrically. Bits of popular musical styles appear; in the first movement, blues-rock chording and Cajun fiddling; in the fourth, a Scottish reel can be heard.
"Rowell will be playing live at each of our performances with our dancers soaring to new challenges in this work. It is not one to be missed."
Finally, the night will conclude with another comedic piece, "Con Amore," which is set to three of Rossini's overtures.
"In my continued effort to present proven works by renowned choreographers to our growing audiences, these four works are not only important works in the dance world that continue to grow and challenge our dancers, [but also] entertain and delight our audiences all the while capturing the spirit of Valentine's," Barker said. "What a perfect way to spend an evening with friends, family or maybe that someone special for a wonderful Valentine's evening."
Photo: Andrew Terzes
Other Performing Arts Events
By Stephanie Allen
Mary Poppins
DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids
Feb. 22-26, show times at 1, 2, 6:30, 7:30 and 8 p.m.
$17.50-$72.50
devosperformancehall.com, (616) 742-6500
Broadway Grand Rapids brings excitement for the whole family with the classic show, Mary Poppins. A combination of P.I. Travers' original story and Walt Disney's popular film, the Tony Award-winning show features fan favorite songs like, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "A Spoonful of Sugar" and "Chim Chim Cher-ee." It's a childhood classic that is sure to animate the kid in everybody's heart with extravagant dancing and over-the-top musical numbers. Mary Poppins takes the audience on a toe-tapping adventure and will brighten any dark winter mood.
The Magic Flute
DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids
Feb. 3-4, 7:30 p.m.
$20-$94 / devosperformancehall.com, (616) 742-6500
Escape to Egypt via the opera. The Magic Flute combines the fantasy world of ancient Egypt with a score by Mozart. Snake-killing ladies, ancient Greek gods and the Queen of the Night entice viewers in a two-act show of music, magic and more. The original opera was composed in German by Mozart and Emanuel Schikaneder in 1791 and has since become one of the world's most beloved compositions.
In the Heights
Miller Auditorium, Kalamazoo
Feb. 24, 8 p.m.
$25-$55 / millerauditorium.com, (269) 387-2300
One of the most beloved and enduring ballets in history is returning to the Grand Rapids stage in time for the holidays: Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker.
The Grand Rapids Ballet Company will be teaming up with the Grand Rapids Symphony to perform this masterful ballet that is inseparable from the Christmas season. A staple of any ballet company, The Nutcracker has been performed in West Michigan since before the GRBC existed. Its fanciful story of sugarplum fairies, a mouse king, dancing snowflakes and a Nutcracker that comes to life captivates audiences and sparks imaginations.
"Often, people are first introduced to ballet through The Nutcracker," said Misty Hendricks, marketing and box office director for the GRBC. "It's got great music, a fun story and those big scenes like the battle or the party scenes. It has a little something for everyone."
Premiering in 1892, more than a century of tradition has codified much of the choreography for The Nutcracker. Still Patricia Barker, artistic director at the GRBC, is planning a few surprises for the audience.
"I don't want to give it away, but this year we've put in some fun new things in the second act," Hendricks said. "Like in the Chinese scene we've added a new character and we've added in a few fun characters in the ethnic dance scenes."
| The Nutcracker DeVos Performance Hall, Grand Rapids Nov. 25-27, Dec. 9-11; show times at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $20-$53 grballet.com, (616) 454-4771 |
Though the beauty of the dancers and choreography is certainly reason enough to attend, the GRS will be accompanying the dancers with Tchaikovsky's uplifting score that has become synonymous with the Christmas season.
"...it's like a two-for-one deal," Hendricks said. "Because of all the stores and shops, you know [the music] even if you don't think you know it."
What's special this year is the GRBC will salute armed forces. Every currently serving member of the armed forces that presents their military ID at the box office will receive two complimentary tickets to any performance they choose. On Military Appreciation Day (Nov. 25) at the matinee, the GRBC will recognize the service of the members of the military in the lobby before the show.
The Nutcracker is second in a series of three holiday-themed productions, bookended by Dracula (October) and Amoré and More (February).
Photo: Andrew Terzes
From Transylvania to Grand Rapids
Written by Lindsay Patton-Carson
Grand Rapids Ballet Company is taking the recent vampire trend and bringing it back to its origins with Dracula.
Though vampires have been around in folklore for hundreds of years, it was Bram Stoker who popularized these bloodthirsty beings and created the basis for the modern vampire. Dracula, Stoker's classic novel published in 1897, tells the story of Count Dracula and the fear and violence he inflicts on those who cross his path.
The story has been played out in multiple adaptations and laid the groundwork for stories in today's popular culture - from Anne Rice's bestselling novels and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" in the ‘90s, to more recently, The Twilight Saga and "True Blood." Grand Rapids Ballet Company's production of Dracula will incorporate the famous story, with a pinch of modern lore.
"It's going to be fun, it's going to be scary," said Misty Hendricks, marketing and box office director for Grand Rapids Ballet Company. "It will translate well from the vampires we know in pop culture to the ones onstage."
| Dracula Peter Martin Wege Theatre, Grand Rapids Oct. 27-30, show times at 2 and 7:30 p.m. $40, $35 seniors, $30 children grballet.com, (616) 454-4771
|
Vampires, known for their sensuous allure and stunning physicality, will be well-represented when Grand Rapids Ballet Company performs Dracula.
"Our dancers are perfect for this," Hendricks said. "They're young, athletic, strong and beautiful."
The original piece was choreographed by Roger Van Fleteren, as well as Wes Chapman, who will stage the production in Grand Rapids.
"His depth and breadth of knowledge of dance and characterization will be great to see," Artistic Director Patricia Barker said about Chapman. "He will be an excellent coach of stagecraft for our dancers. Each time a new stager or choreographer works with our dancers their artistic ability is expanded."
Dracula is just one example of Grand Rapids Ballet Company's diverse season. The company opened its 40th season with the classic Paul Taylor production, Company B, while the holiday spirit is celebrated not only in Dracula, but in The Nutcracker (November and December) and Amoré and More (February).
"In general, it's our goal as a ballet company to show the community all the different sides of dance," Hendricks said.
Local Dance Collaborative Connects to the Community
Written by Samara Napolitan
Google commemorated the 117th birthday of Martha Graham, an American modern dancer and choreographer, with a special logo featuring tiny animated dancers. Without Graham's legacy, Dance In The Annex (DITA), among numerous contemporary dance collaboratives across the country, wouldn't exist. In return, DITA promotes the art form Graham pioneered throughout Grand Rapids.
"I had so many friends say that [the Martha Graham logo] reminded them of DITA-friends who didn't know who Martha Graham was. That was a huge compliment," said Amy Wilson, DITA co-founder.
Such praise is indicative of DITA's impact on dance and the arts in Grand Rapids. Appearances have included ArtPrize since its inaugural year, UICA's NoshNight and original performances at Wealthy Theatre. Most recently, DITA collaborated with local musicians to perform Trip the Light: Ephemeral at the Theatre. Planning for the upcoming ArtPrize is well underway. Inherently collaborative, DITA will build on the artistic energy that accumulates downtown during the art competition.
|
DITA Summer Master Class Series 2011 Monday July 11, 7-8:30 p.m. All Classes $12/$9 Students with ID |
"We're basing our work this year on site-specific pieces, and the idea that dance in an ephemeral, fleeting art form," Wilson said.
The annex of Wealthy Theatre, from which DITA derives its namesake, is home to the collaborative's affordable master classes that attract talented and diverse Guest Artists across West Michigan. The origins of DITA are derived from the classes, since it began as a core group of dancers in 2008 seeking a type of professional instruction not offered by Grand Rapids dance studios at the time.
Since Wilson moved to Michigan from Brooklyn in 2001, co-founder Angie Yetzke's (now inactive) familiarity and connections within the local dance scene as a long-term resident proved to be invaluable in fostering a sense of community in the area. To this day, DITA exclusively invites Guest Artists connected to West Michigan.
"The dance community in West Michigan is so small," says Wilson. "We have to work together."
Photo: Dance in the Annex, shot by Seth Thompson/Epiglotic Photography
