What began as a dance school has, over the course of its 50 years, blossomed into one of the world’s best-known Latino dance companies. This week Ballet Hispánico celebrates its Golden Anniversary with an exciting 50th Celebration. This is Cultural Attaché’s Top Pick for the weekend.
Rather than simply resting on past accomplishments, Ballet Hispánico will celebrate with the premiere of three new works by Lauren Anderson, Ana “Rokafella” Garcia and Belén Maya.
There will also be performances of works by 10-time Tony Award nominee Graciela Daniele, Nacho Duato, the late Geoffrey Holder (a two-time Tony Award winner), the late Ann Reinking (Tony Award winner for Chicago), Pedro Ruiz and Gustavo Ramirez Sansano.
Hosting the program will be Artistic Director Eduardo Villaro along with two students at the School of Dance: Theo Adarkar and Chelsea Phillips.
They will be joined by special guests Lauren Anderson (one of the first African-American ballerinas with a major company), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton), Luis Miranda (Chairperson of Viva Broadway), Academy Award-nominee Rosie Perez (Fearless), Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas (Chairman of the Cuban Artists Fund) and Darren Walker (President of the Ford Foundation).
It is highly unlikely that founder Tina Ramirez (now 92) could have foreseen the growth and success of the little company she founded five decades ago.
For those who can’t wait until this 50th Celebration is available for free streaming on Ballet Hispánico‘s YouTube channel, Facebook page and website, you purchase tickets for a private screening on Thursday, May 27th at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT. Tickets begin at $150.
The free public premiere begins on Friday, May 28th at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT. This 50th Celebration will remain available for two weeks.
With the upcoming release of the film version of In the Heights and Steven Spielberg’s remake of West Side Story due later this year, what better time to take a look at Latino dance through the lens of this incredible company. For those reasons, Ballet Hispánico‘s 50th Celebration is our top pick this weekend.
Photo: Melissa Verdecia, Eila Valls and Jenna Marie in “Club Havana” (Photo by Hayim Heron/Courtesy Ballet Hispánico)
