Fame…I want to live forever!5 min read

Do yourself a favor and read this, even if you think the Ballet is not your thing.

Last week, I had the privilege of getting a personalized tour of The Cincinnati Ballet. I’m telling you, the ballet isn’t your momma’s ballet anymore! Especially with Victoria Morgan in charge. Victoria, the mastermind behind the ballet, is one of only five women artistic directors in the U.S. and is taking it up a notch as we celebrate her 20th year with our ballet.

When Victoria came here from San Francisco 20 years ago, she had big plans in her mind and a rigid idea of how things had to be. That was all well and good until she realized things were way different in Cincinnati. She had the ability to pluck talent from all over and to do the unexpected. Not everyone had to be the best of the best. They could be starting their career and have new ideas and individual styles. The ballets could be bold and different. Here, they didn’t have to follow rules of the big leagues.  The bonus of now being with a smaller ballet company is that she doesn’t have to conform as much as the bigger companies. This season, she says, is a reflection of her maturity over the years. She is so excited that just talking to her makes you want to do a pirouette!

As I was sitting there watching the dancers practice, I was in awe! The power, athleticism and grace are overwhelming. I truly was reminded of the movie, Fame – dancers in every corner, practicing a move over and over. The amazing Ma Cong, an international rock star choreographer, tweaking the slightest move to make it perfect. The jumps, the lifts…it is a collaboration where every move has to be on point!

Victoria has hand-picked world renowned choreographers and, together, they have continued to evolve the Ballet’s offerings. Even classics like the Nutcracker have been modernized, and every year it’s a little different. Sometimes they even have appearances by special guests. Some of these performances will make you gasp out loud, like I did last year. I looked around thinking, “Ugh! Are you allowed to make noise here?” Then I realized many people were in awe just like me! The power and theatrical dancing is amazing!

We are one lucky city to have the greatest arts available to us.  We have the largest and oldest Artworks(originally Fine Arts Fund) in the country. I guess our city loves to be entertained…and that is awesome!

Presenting 2016-2017

Directors Cut September 16 & 17
This is great for the ADD in me :) . It’s six short, diverse works in one night!

• Patriotic Pas is a world premiere for Victoria. This witty and energetic piece is going to please everyone. I got to sit and watch them practice this piece, and truly I was tired and my toes hurt just watching them.
•World-renowned choreographer Justin Peckshows his exciting and athletic works inCapricious Maneuvers is sure to make the stage explode with excitement and make you smile.
•Selections from Raymonda will be a special farewell to two Principal dancers Sarah Hairstonand Zack Grubbs.
• A World Premiereby Ma Cong (I got to meet him and watch him go over the performance so flipping cool)will be a contemporary powerful piece.
• Prohibition Conditioncreated by Soloist and choreographer James Cunningham is sure to be a humorous treat.
• Fusion (excerpts) San Francisco Ballet principal dancers Sarah Van Pattenand Luke Inghamjoin together to honor Victoria Morgans early career as a principal dancer with SFB herself.

Coppélia October 21-23
This treasured comedy is about a toy maker who makes a doll so real, a village boy falls in love with her. Great one for the family!

Nutcracker December 9-18
This should be your family tradition!

King Arthur’s Camelot February 10-12
This is full of adventure and magic that will please your whole family. The costumes and music are epic.

Bold Moves March 17 & 18
This is a contemporary cultural exchange with artistic directors from Israel. Fun music performed by the Ariel Quartetthat will make you move in your seat. Dean Martin, mambo, techno and more! Bring it!

The Kaplan New Works Series April 20-29
Girl Power!! This is going to showcase all the powerful women of the ballet. This is some serious dancing people, I promise!

Ballet Toybox Sunday March 19th 2:00…A lot of work for one shoe right??
As Victoria says, it’s the “Readers Digest version of Swan Lake”. Perfect for the little ones.

Ballet & Beers– take your thirsty Thursday to a new level!

This is right up my alley… Ballet & Beer: Meet the artists! You go to the Cincinnati Ballet Center in OTR for a little behind the scenes, watch a bit of a preview and chat with the dancers. They will win your heart! They have such compassion and are just so awe-inspiring. They are a hugely diverse group from all over the world.

• Directors Cut Thursday, September 8 – Sold Out
• Coppélia – Thursday, October 13- 5:15
• The Nutcraker- Thursday, December 1-5:15
• King Arthur’s Camelot-Thursday, February 2-5:15
• Bold Moves-Thursday, April 13- 5:15

Nobody puts baby in the corner! You want to dance?? 

Dancefix is an hour-long high energy dance class/workout choreographed by Heather Brittand her teachers. Hip hop, jazz and more, so grab your friends and hit the floor! Click hereto register. I totally want to do this!

There is also Adult Ballet open to 18 and older. This is for first time dancers or continuing dancers. Click hereto register.

Tips and things to know

• Cincinnati is one of only a handful on ballets that perform to a live symphony orchestra.
• Cincinnati Ballet started in 1963.
• Performances are usually at Music Hall; however, due to construction, all performances will be held at The Aronoff.
• Seat cushions available for your little ones to see the performances.
• Sarah Jessica Parkerwas a mouse in the Nutcracker when she was little.
• Ballet goes on tour! Cincinnati ballet was chosen to go Washington D.C. to perform the Nutcracker at the Kennedy Center…a huge honor. So if you don’t have plans for Thanksgiving check it out!

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