Ballet Hispánico Latin dance with Ballet Hispánico on Friday, Sept. 22, is part of a month of ¡CELEBRACIÓN! events presented by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center.
Ballet Hispánico brings communities together to celebrate and explore Latin cultures through innovative productions, transformative dance training and community engagement.
The performance is set for 8 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., participate in a pre-talk, “Lifting Up Latina Voices,” in the lobby. A post-performance discussion and Q-and-A will take place on stage with Ballet Hispánico artistic director Eduardo Vilaro. A post-show party is set for the Odess Theatre with Ballet Hispánico and DJ Paco.
Tickets are $45, $35 and $25. UAB faculty may purchase $25 tickets; a limited number of $25 tickets are available for most performances. UAB students may purchase $10 tickets. UAB student tickets must be purchased with valid student ID at the ASC Box Office. Limit one ticket per student, and a limited number of tickets are available for each show. Faculty and staff may receive a 20 percent discount on single tickets.
For ¡CELEBRACIÓN! the Alys Stephens Center is proud to collaborate with the UAB campus family and Birmingham community and art partners to bring events honoring the Latin community in Birmingham. From festivals and Latin social dance to film screenings and performances by Grammy Award-winning artists, join the center and its community partners to celebrate this richly thriving community throughout our great city. Explore the full list of events online, including a free show by Spanish Harlem Orchestra outdoors at the center Thursday, Oct. 12.
This all-Latina-choreographed engagement from Ballet Hispánico features “Con Brazos Abiertos,” an exploration of iconic Mexican symbols; “Línea Recta,” a work that explores an intriguing aspect of flamenco dance: the conspicuous absence of physical partnering, performed with an original guitar composition; and “Catorce Dieciséis,” which draws inspiration from the number pi to reflect on the circularity of the human condition.
The Ballet Hispánico Company has performed for audiences totaling more than 3 million people throughout 11 countries and on three continents. The organization’s founder, National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, sought to give voice to the Hispanic experience and break through stereotypes. Today Ballet Hispánico is led by Vilaro, an acclaimed choreographer and former member of the company, whose vision of social equity, cultural identity and quality arts education for all drives its programs. Ballet Hispánico, a role model in and for the Latino community, is inspiring creativity and social awareness in neighborhoods and across the country by providing access to arts education.
“The members of Ballet Hispánico are 12 of the most technically accomplished and musical dancers you’ll find in the contemporary sphere,” said The Washington Post in a review.
Members of Ballet Hispánico will teach a community contemporary dance master class with Alabama Ballet that includes an Afro-Caribbean warm-up and repertoire from their performance. The class is open to intermediate and advanced dancers. RSVP is required, respond online.