Ballet Hispanico Announces 2016-2017 Tour To Cuba, Israel and Serbia

Ballet Hispánico, the nation's leader in bringing communities together to celebrate Latino cultures through dance, announces its 2016/2017 International Tour to Cuba, Israel and Serbia, where the company will bring its signature brand of Latin-inspired contemporary dance.

From November 3-5, 2016, the company will be in Havana, Cuba to perform in the country's International Ballet Festival of Havana,presenting an excerpt from Línea Recta, a new piece choreographed by Belgo-Colombian Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. The piece, which will have its world premiere at the Apollo Theater on November 18 and 19, 2016, pairs the hallmark passion of flamenco dance with innovative and intricate partnering. This is Ballet Hispánico's second visit to Cuba, after debuting in the International Ballet Festival of Havana in 2014.

From November 23-26, 2016, the company will perform in Israel as part of the Herzliya Performing Arts Center's 2016-17 Dance Series. The Herzliya Performing Arts Center's dance series is one of the most successful series in the country, with a record of 1,650 memberships in the previous season. The tour continues at the Beersheva Performing Arts Center on Monday, November 28, 2016 at 8:30pm; Jerusalem Theater on Tuesday, November 29, 2016 at 8:30pm; and Modi'in Auditorium on Wednesday, November 30 at 8:30pm. In addition to the performances, the company will host workshops for young dancers and various audiences in ten cities around Israel, sponsored by the American Embassy.

In April 2017, Ballet Hispánico will offer three performances in Belgrade and Novi Sad, Serbia, presenting Línea Recta,Bury Me Standing, and Club Havana.

REPERTORY:

Bury Me Standing (1998)

Choreography by Ramón Oller

The unique culture of the Gypsy or "Roma" people, a marginalized community that has journeyed across continents for a thousand years, inspired Spanish choreographer Ramón Oller to create Bury Me Standing. The compelling rhythms and melodies which accompany the ballet-drawn from Spain and Eastern Europe, traditional folk songs, and contemporary world music-reflect the emotional essence of the Roma: their strong communal bonds, sensuality, feelings of oppression and longing, and their strength and exuberance.

Club Havana (2000)

Choreography by Pedro Ruiz

A portrait of the glamorous Havana of the 1950s during the heyday of Cuban music, dance and nightlife. The intoxicating rhythms of the conga, rumba, mambo, and cha cha are brought to life by choreographer Pedro Ruiz, a native of Cuba, in this re-imagined nightclub filled with the exhilarating sounds, colors and ambience of that golden era.

El Beso (2014)

Choreography by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano

Award-winning Spanish choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano (a Dance Magazine "25 to Watch" pick) premieres his first commission for Ballet Hispanico, a tongue-in-cheek look at the iconic nature of a kiss with original costumes by Venezuelan fashion designer Angel Sanchez.

Línea Recta (2016)

Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
From one of today's most sought-after choreographers comes a powerful and resonant work that explores an intriguing aspect of flamenco dance: the conspicuous absence of physical partnering. While maintaining the integrity and hallmark passion of the genre, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa imagines an original and explosive movement language premised upon the theme of partnership and performed to live flamenco guitar by Eric Vaarzon Morel. Línea Recta came to fruition through Ballet Hispánico's Instituto Coreográfico, an innovative choreography lab program for Latino dance makers, and was commissioned in part by the Apollo Theater and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

Sombrerísimo (2013)

Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa

An absorbing exploration of identity, Sombrerísimo references the surrealist world of the Belgian painter René Magritte, famous for his paintings of men in bowler hats. This athletic work for six male dancers was commissioned by New York City Center for the 10th anniversary of the Fall for Dance Festival.

Sortijas (2013)

Choreography by Cayetano Soto

Sortijas (Rings) is a duet that celebrates Latino tradition by representing the circular ties of family and friends that link communities together over generations.

Eduardo Vilaro joined Ballet Hispánico as Artistic Director in August 2009, becoming only the second person to head the company since it was founded in 1970. In 2015, Mr. Vilaro took on the additional role of Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Hispánico. He has been part of the Ballet Hispánico family since 1985 as a principal dancer and educator, after which he began a ten-year record of achievement as Founder and Artistic Director of Luna Negra Dance Theater in Chicago. Mr. Vilaro has infused Ballet Hispánico's legacy with a bold and eclectic brand of contemporary dance that reflects America's changing cultural landscape. Born in Cuba and raised in New York from the age of six, he is a frequent speaker on the merits of cultural diversity and dance education.

Mr. Vilaro's own choreography is devoted to capturing the spiritual, sensual and historical essence of the Latino cultures. He created over 20 ballets for Luna Negra and has received commissions from the Ravinia Festival, the Chicago Sinfonietta, the Grant Park Festival, the Lexington Ballet and the Chicago Symphony. In 2001, he was a recipient of a Ruth Page Award for choreography, and in 2003, he was honored for his choreographic work at Panama's II International Festival of Ballet. In 2016, he was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame.

ABOUT BALLET HISPÁNICO

Celebrating over 45 years of sharing and reflecting the ever-changing diversity of Latino cultures, Ballet Hispánico is the new expression of American contemporary dance. Led by Artistic Director & CEO Eduardo Vilaro, the Company has produced world-class, multifaceted performances that have featured master works by Nacho Duato, cutting-edge premieres by Cayetano Soto and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and live music collaborations with renowned artists such as Paquito D'Rivera and Ruben Blades-to name a notable few. Ballet Hispánico has performed for audiences totaling over 3 million, throughout 11 countries, and on 3 continents. Through the work of its professional company, school of dance, and community arts education programs, Ballet Hispánico celebrates the dynamic aesthetics of the Hispanic diaspora, building new avenues of cultural dialogue and sharing the joy of dance with all communities. For more information, visit www.ballethispanico.org. Follow Ballet Hispánicoon Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

(Photo Credit: Ballet Hispanico Facebook, Paula Lobo)