Sarasota Ballet 20th anniversary
Classical music and classical dance. Ballet. That form of art that tends to perfection. The perfection of music, of movement, of body. From finger tip to facial expression everything is perfected in this form of art. The combination of perfect form and perfect subject comes from the mix of arts ballet enhances. Based on literary or musical works, this art that has no words is stronger than many of others because of the flawless technique and airy movements. The emotions triggered by ballet dancers in their performances are simply genuine and the companies try to bring their uniqueness on stage through various methods. However, at the core of ballet remains the power of the body language.
This year a ballet company celebrates its 20th anniversary by offering, receiving and then offering again. The Sarasota ballet company will raise money for the Ballet’s Education Department on Sunday, September 26th 2010, from 1 to 4 p.m., at Payne Park Auditorium. The company will offer a beautiful performance followed by games and other activities that will involve the audience in the life of movement. And because no party can be a real party without sweets, cakes and ice-cream will be served for every person attending the fund raising. The money raised from selling the tickets will go to The Next Generation – Sarasota School and Ballet Dance.
Dance – The Next Generation is a seven-year full-scholarship program for at-risk children. The program tries to give children, students who consider they lack qualities and materials to finish school and drop out, the possibility to continue their studies and to gain confidence in themselves. The program teaches students the correct attitude they need to have in order to succeed in life and also helps them through the scholarship. This is a unique program that nurtures and teaches children of 8 to 18 years old for a time span of seven years to become responsible members of the community. The students also prepare different performances for the community and they can be granted scholarships at universities, knowing that encouraging them to continue the program.
But this project would not have been possible without the Sarasota ballet company in the background. And of course, it wouldn’t have been made possible unless ballet dancer and choreographer Jean Weidner had founded the Sarasota Ballet in 1987. Since then however the Sarasota Ballet has known flourishing periods under the wand of its directors, the actual director being one of the most wide known of all: Iain Webb. Since 2007 when Webb was appointed as director of the company, the Sarasota ballet has enriched the life of Sarasota community.
This year, after celebrating its 20th anniversary in September, the Sarasota Ballet Company will give performances that are unique and worth being seen. For instance, Anne Frank’s story, a teenager who wrote a diary during the war and the Nazi regime will be performed on October 29-31 and will tell the story of the little girl using the body language and music, appealing to every one’s feelings. Later, in December, on 3 and 4, the Sarasota Ballet will present Modern Greats in the choreography of Twyla Tharp. But later that month the Ballet will turn to more classical stories with the Nutcracker, a story that brings the holiday spirits on stage and in the audience. The performance is choreographed by former director Robert DeWarren and will be performed on December 11th. The 2010-2011 program continues through winter and you can take a full view upon it here.
It seems that the Sarasota Ballet Company makes dreams come true. Creating fantastic stories on stage via dance and music, the company also helps children pursue their dreams and offers them a future. In this way art pursues its own paths: that of raising true, genuine feelings in the audience and to help people in their lives. Being the only professional ballet company in Florida’s Gulf, Sarasota Ballet Company and its unique educational programs is that kind of art institution that understands its role in the community. Because of that, its fame is widely recognized in the art and ballet industry and their fund raising is sure to be a success on the 26 of September.11
