Ballet Hispánico is a national cultural treasure, long considered America’s leading Latin dance company, is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a Free virtual premiere on Friday, May 28, 2021 at 6:30pm ET (3:30 PT). The event will be hosted by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro and School of Dance Students Chelsea Phillips and Theo Adarkar, and features premiere works by Lauren Anderson, Ana “Rokafella” Garcia, and Belén Maya. Also on the program are works choreographed by Graciela Daniele, Ann Reinking, Geoffrey Holder, Nacho Duato, Pedro Ruiz, and Gustavo Ramírez Sansano, with guest appearances by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis Miranda, Lauren Anderson, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, Rosie Perez, and Darren Walker. The 50th Celebration will be available for two weeks on YouTube, Facebook, and ballethispanico.org. To receive exciting announcements, special content, and reminders for the Public Premiere of this celebratory event, register for free at ballethispanico.org/50th-celebration/registration.
Eduardo Vilaro – Photo by Rachel Neville
Founded in 1970 by National Medal of Arts recipient, Tina Ramírez, the organization grew out of the post-civil rights movement on New York City’s Upper West Side and provided a safe haven for primarily Black and Brown Latinx youth seeking artistic sanctuary. Throughout its 50 year history Ballet Hispánico has continue to provide this community with extraordinary dance training and performances, orgullo (pride) of culture and history, education, sabor (taste), access to the arts, amor (love), Community, espíritu (Spirit), and innovation. The New York Times wrote that Ballet Hispánico is known for “piercing stereotypes.”
“We are honored to be joined by such an amazing group of artists and supporters to celebrate the past five decades,” 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.”
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. Join the celebration, make a toast with the virtual audience, and ask questions live during the post-performance conversation. 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.
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What: Ballet Hispánico celebrates 50 years with a free virtual celebration. Premieres by Lauren Anderson, Ana “Rokafella” Garcia, and b Belén Maya; Other works by Graciela Daniele, Ann Reinking, Geoffrey Holder, Nacho Duato, Pedro Ruiz, and Gustavo Ramírez Sansano; with guest appearances by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis Miranda, Lauren Anderson, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, Rosie Perez, and Darren Walker.
When: Friday, May 28, 2021 at 6:30pm ET (3:30 PT)
Where: Online – to receive exciting announcements, special content, and reminders for the Public Premiere of this celebratory event, register for free at ballethispanico.org/50th-celebration/registration.
Tickets: Free
The 50th Celebration will be available for two weeks on YouTube, Facebook, and ballethispanico.org.
For more information about Ballet Hispánico and Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, click HERE.
Written and complied from the Michelle Tabnick Public Relations press release by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Ballet Hispánico Dancers Lyvan Verdecia and Melissa Verdecia (center) in Club Havana – photo by Hayim Heron
