“Ballet Hispánico is one of our truly exceptional gifts to today’s dance world” (Joanne DiVito, LA Dance Chronicle).
Founded in 1970 by National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico is now recognized as America’s leading Latino dance company and highly respected around the world. On July 24, 2020 at 5:00pm (EDT) – 2:00pm (PDT), Jacob’s Pillow will present PILLOWTALK: 50 YEARS OF BALLET HISPÁNICO.
Since its inception 50 years ago, Ballet Hispánico’s mission has always been to bring people together in celebration of the joy and diversity of Latino cultures. Led now by Cuban-born Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro, a former member of Ballet Hispánico who founded Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago in 1999. Under Vilaro’s leadership, Ballet Hispánico has continued to maintain its reputation as the country’s leading ambassador of Latinx culture.
PILLOWTALK: 50 YEARS OF BALLET HISPÁNICO will be moderated by Pillow Scholar-in-Residence and journalist Brian Schaefer, and feature a conversation with Vilaro, choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and community engagement specialist at Ballet Hispánico AnaMaria Correa. It is the 25th season for PillowTalk, but it is only one feature of the Jacob’s Pillow 8 weeks free programming which runs July 7 through August 29. PillowTalk consists of live conversations with leaders in the dance community from a across multiple styles and disciplines and presented online every Friday at 5pm Eastern (2pm Pacific) on YouTube. Viewers will be given the opportunity to participate in a live-chat with scholars, artists, and other audience members from around the world. Produced in collaboration with Nel Shelby Productions, these sessions will remain available until August 31, 2020.
Jacob’s Pillow is the longest-running summer international dance festival and it is considered to be a National Historic Landmark, currently in the midst of its transition to becoming a year-round center for dance through a five-year strategic plan titled Vision ’22. Pamela Tatge has been The Pillow’s Director since 2016 and The School at Jacob’s Pillow is one of the field’s most prestigious professional dance training centers, offering Ballet, Contemporary, Tap, Musical Theatre Dance, Photography, Choreography, and more. The Pillow also provides professional advancement opportunities across disciplines of arts administration, design, video, and production through seasonal internships and a year-round Administrative Fellows program. Notable artists who have created or premiered dances at the Pillow include choreographers Antony Tudor, Agnes de Mille, Alvin Ailey, Donald McKayle, Kevin McKenzie, Twyla Tharp, Ralph Lemon, Susan Marshall, Trisha Brown, Ronald K. Brown, Wally Cardona, Andrea Miller, and Trey McIntyre; performed by artists such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Carmen de Lavallade, Mark Morris, Dame Margot Fonteyn, Edward Villella, Rasta Thomas – to list only a few.
To register for this free event, RSVP HERE. With your RSVP, you’ll receive a day-of reminder email with the direct link to the event, as well as exclusive bonus content to watch beforehand. The conversation will be available to view through August 31, 2020.
For more information about Jacob’s Pillow, click HERE.
For additional information on the Pillow’s Virtual Talks and to RSVP, click HERE.
For Details about PILLOWTALK: 50 YEARS OF BALLET HISPÁNICO, click HERE.
To visit the Ballet Hispánico website, click HERE.
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Ballet Hispánico in Sombrerísimo Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa – Photo: Paula Lobo
