Ballet Hispánico, America’s leading Latino dance organization, brings communities together to celebrate and explore Latino cultures through innovative dance productions, transformative dance training, and community engagement. Founded in 1970, Ballet Hispánico continues to be dedicated to the BIPOC communities through its performances, choreography, its school and its company of talented dancers. Ballet Hispánico’s role in the community is inspiring and uplifting and the organization has become one of America’s great living cultural treasures.
In two weeks, Ballet Hispánico will launch its 50th anniversary celebration, a free virtual public premiere, to be held on Friday, May 28 at 6:30pm ET. Hosted by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro and School of Dance students Chelsea Phillips and Theo Adarkar, the evening will feature performances by the Ballet Hispánico Company and student artists at the School of Dance with premieres by Lauren Anderson, Ana “Rokafella” Garcia, and Belén Maya; performances of works by Graciela Daniele, the late Ann Reinking and the late Geoffrey Holder, Nacho Duato, Pedro Ruiz, and Gustavo Ramírez Sansano; and appearances by celebrity guests, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis Miranda, Rosie Perez, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, and Darren Walker.
“We are honored to be joined by such an amazing group of artists and supporters to commemorate the legacy and future of Ballet Hispánco,” said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director & CEO. “The past year has been a challenging time for everyone, and we look forward to this opportunity to gather with our beloved community virtually and safely to perform for you, to honor our roots, and celebrate our heritage and growth.”
Founded in 1970 by National Medal of Arts recipient, Tina Ramírez, Ballet Hispánico 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 in the 1970s. The need for place, both culturally and artistically, led families to find Ballet Hispánico. Ballet Hispánico’s School of Dance is the direct link to the organization’s values of access, opportunity, and pride for all students interested in dance and Latinx culture. The School is an accredited training center that leads with a holistic curriculum for today’s young dancer.
Today, Ballet Hispánico is a cultural powerhouse and a living example of how artistic and cultural organizations can revolutionize and enhance communities and lives. The focus on dance as a means to develop working artists, combined with the training, authenticity of voice, and power of representation, still fuels the organization’s trajectory today.
With its strong emphasis on dance, achievement, and public presence, the organization’s three main programs: its Company, School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnerships are flourishing. 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.
The 50th celebration will be available for two weeks on YouTube, Facebook, and ballethispanico.org. To receive information, announcements, special content, and reminders for the public premiere of this celebratory event, register for free at ballethispanico.org/50th-celebration/registration. There will also be a virtual private screening on Thursday, May 27, at 6:30pm ET that includes a live post-performance conversation with special guests. Tickets for the private event begin at $150 and are available at ballethispanico.org. For more information, please contact Ellie Craven at ecraven@ballethispanico.org.
By Victoria Larson, Editor, Side of Culture
VK Larson Communications
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