Ballet Hispánico B Unidos “Stages” Watch Party
Company:
Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico, the nation's renowned Latinx dance organization recognized as one of America's Cultural Treasures, kicked off 2021 with a glimpse into the company's past. The 50th Anniversary Celebration continues with a series of entertaining archival repertory pieces, inviting audiences to look back at vibrant performances celebrating the Company's history with the Ballet Hispánico Watch Party Series. The series continues with Graciela Daniele's Stages, celebrating Tina Ramirez, the artist on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 6:30pm at ballethispanico.org, and on YouTube and Facebook.
The word "stages" is rich with associations – it can serve a platform for artistry or represent a developmental place in time. This 1992 production of Stages celebrates the evolution of Founder Tina Ramirez' multi-faceted vision, following Ramirez from her start as a budding ballet student to the pinnacle of her career, triumphantly leading Ballet Hispánico.The evening is hosted by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro and former Company guests Sandra Rivera, Nancy Ticotin, and Nancy Turano.
"Graciela Daniele's Stages recounts the metamorphosis of a girl into ballerina, soloist, choreographer and artistic director. Set to an affecting and vibrant score by James Kowal, "Stages" is choreographic nostalgia that demonstrates Daniele's creative savvy and theatrical flair. Her experience on the Broadway stage informs the work's pacing and narrative. There are charming bits of whimsy - the little girl hoisted by her elders' barres; the adult ballerina disappointed in romance as two male dancers depart arm in arm - and animated episodes in classical and Latino realms. Toward the end, Daniele includes a cameo for Ramirez, who appears both as seasoned dancer and compassionate mentor." – The Plain Dealer
Stages (1990), Choreography by Graciela Daniele, Music by James Kowal; Orchestrations by James Elliot Lawrence and Jose Madera; Set Design by Loy Arcenas; Costume Design by Ann Hould-Ward; Lighting Design by Donald Holder
Dancers
Guillermo Asca, Alessandra Corona, Jose Costas, Rebecca Jefferson, Miriam Kescherman, Lynne Morriseey, Celeste Overboe, Pedro Ruiz, Melissa Soto, Laura Taber, Ted Thomas, Nancy Turano, Eduardo Vilaro
#BUnidos
#BUnidos began as a daily video series to combat the loss of performances and community programming due to COVID-19. As social distancing continues, we continue to provide content through our social media platforms as a way to instill a sense of community within our BH familia and offer ways to explore dance and Latino cultures online. #BUnidos!
"As a community of dancers, artists, and human beings, we are all in this together. We will persevere through this challenging time, and we hope that this programming provides a coping outlet, for you, for our followers and the community overall," said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO of Ballet Hispánico. "Now more than ever, it is important to band together in support of the arts. The personal and professional challenges that we have already endured and will continue to face over the next few weeks or months are significant. What we can take from this time of cancellations, uncertainty and social distancing is a chance to use our creativity to connect with the community on a new level. Social distancing does not mean emotional distancing. Ballet Hispánico was founded upon and has always believed in the importance of reaching and servicing our community through dance and culture. As this pandemic occurs during our 50th Anniversary, it provides us with an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, get back to our roots by reaching out to community near and far, and look forward to what is ahead."
About Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico is the nation's renowned Latino dance organization and one of America's Cultural Treasures. Ballet Hispánico brings communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures through innovative dance performances, transformative dance training, and enduring community engagement experiences. Founded in 1970 by National Medal of Arts recipient, Tina Ramírez, the organization emerged during the post-civil rights movement on New York's Upper West Side, providing a safe haven for primarily Black and Brown Latinx youth seeking artistic sanctuary during New York City's plight in the 1970s. The need for place, both culturally and artistically, led families to find Ballet Hispánico. The focus on dance as a means to develop working artists, combined with the training, authenticity of voice, and power of representation, fueled the organization's roots and trajectory. With its strong emphasis on dance, achievement, and public presence, the organization has flourished in its three main programs: its Company, School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnerships. The organization serves as a platform for historically omitted and overlooked artists providing them with increased capacity, voice, and affirmation. Over the past five decades, by leading with Latinx culture at the forefront of performance, education, and advocacy, Ballet Hispánico's mission is a catalyst of change and possibility for communities throughout our nation.
