Ailey to return in 2007-2008 Dance St. Louis season
The American’s award-winning photojournalist Wiley Price was all eyes and lens when DanceBrazil performed recently in a Dance St. Louis program held at the Edison Theatre on the campus of Washington University.
The stage sizzled with a blend of samba, contemporary dance, ballet and the Afro-Brazilian martial art of Capoeira, which was created by Africans enslaved on Brazil’s sugar plantations to disguise their traditional art of self-defense as a harmless game.
DanceBrazil was founded by current Artistic Director Jelon Vieira, with the help of Alvin Ailey. The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will return to the Fox Theatre on April 11-12, 2008 as part of Dance St. Louis’ 2007-2008 season, the company’s 42nd year of operation.
The season is the first to bear the stamp of Artistic and Executive Director Michael Uthoff, who took the helm of Dance St. Louis in July 2006. On tap for the coming season:
October 12-13, 2007; Touhill Performing Arts Center
Oct. 12, 8 p.m. ? Oct. 13, 2 & 8 p.m.
Georgian State Dance Company
The country of Georgia lies at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Its traditional dances evoke a world of medieval kingdoms and mountain strongholds, graceful maidens and gallant warriors, bejeweled gowns and clashing swords. Single tickets: $30-$50 general public, $28-$48 students/seniors.
November 16-17, 2007; Touhill Performing Arts Center
Nov. 16, 8 p.m. ? Nov. 17, 2 & 8 p.m.
Tango Buenos Aires
Tango Buenos Aires is devoted to the earthy roots of the original Argentine tango. Its Music Director by Cristian Zárate is a virtuoso young pianist and player of the bandoneón, the accordion-like instrument classically associated with tango music. Single tickets: $30-$50 general public, $28-$48 students/seniors.
December 5-9, 2007; Fox Theatre
Dec. 5-7, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 8, 2 & 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 9, 1 p.m.
Nutcracker at the Fox
Starring The Joffrey Ballet
With The Ballet Orchestra of St. Louis
Nutcracker at the Fox starring The Joffrey Ballet will feature more than 100 young St. Louis-area dancers, as well as young singers in the Snow Scene. Open dance auditions will be conducted in St. Louis by The Joffrey Ballet in September (date TBA). Tickets: $20-$75 general public, $18-$68 groups.
January 25-26, 2008; Touhill Performing Arts Center
Jan. 25, 8 p.m. ? Jan. 26, 2 & 8 p.m.
Tania Pérez-Salas Compañia de Danza
Compañia de Danza is both visually spectacular and emotionally stirring, with cascades of beautiful and arresting images displayed to music ranging from Handel and Bach to the Estonian minimalist, Arvo Pärt. Single tickets: $30-$50 general public, $28-$48 students/seniors.
February 22-23, 2008; Touhill Performing Arts Center
Feb. 22, 8 p.m. ? Feb. 23, 2 & 8 p.m.
St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre
A young company in a land where ballet has flourished for centuries, St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre is nevertheless one of the few troupes to be given the highest official ranking by the Russian government along with the Bolshoi Ballet and the Kirov Ballet. Single tickets: $30-$50 general public, $28-$48 students/seniors.
April 11-12, 2008; Touhill Performing Arts Center
Apr. 11, 8 p.m. ? Apr. 12, 8 p.m.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Generous and charismatic as a choreographer and leader, Ailey was a pioneer in breaking down racial barriers and carrying American dance to audiences around the world with its potent blend of contemporary dance and African-American soul and strength. Single tickets: $30-$65; no student/senior discount.
There are new benefits exclusively for season ticket package holders, including a 20 percent discount on single tickets purchased any time throughout the entire season, and a 25 percent discount on Nutcracker at the Fox tickets if purchased by May 1. Details are available by calling 314-534-6622 and at dancestlouis.org.
