On Saturday May 31, at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, Ballet Arts Studio presents Dances at an Exhibition, exploring classic and important works of visual art as inspiration for dance.
“When you think of artists who have depicted ballet dancers, Edgar Degas is one of the first who comes to mind. His studies of ballet dancers and movement are just incredible and of course we are using a couple of his works,” said Alex Bloomstein, director of Ballet Arts Studio.
Both the performing classes and The Dutchess Dance Company (the studio’s pre-professional dance company) are working with over 20 works of art for the performance, from Impressionists such as Degas, to more modern works by Picasso, to traditional textiles of Africa.
“African Dance has a much longer history than any of the other disciplines. For the African dances, we have looked at textiles and masks, which are both so central to all kinds of dances, including tributes, celebrations and rituals,” said Belle Golden, faculty member at the studio.
The performance will include premieres of new ballet works: Reverie by Todd Hall and Gavotte in Two by Alana Niehoff, resident choreographers for The Dutchess Dance Company.
Tickets are available at Ballet Arts Studio, 107 Teller Ave., Beacon, 845-831-1870, the Bardavon box office, 35 Market St., Poughkeepsie, 845-473-2072 or online through Ticketmaster: 800-745-3000. Tickets: $15 for adults, $12 for seniors/children 12 and under, $10/groups of 10 or more.
This promises to be a wonderful show. Haldane’s own Lucy Austin, Riley Bissinger, Micah Morales and Parker Parrella will be dancing as well as Garrison’s own Kaelin Martin so how could it be anything short of beautiful to watch? Come support dance in the Hudson Valley!