Ballet Hispanico Presents the World Premiere of ESPIRITU VIVO, 4/17-29

BALLET HISPANICO presents the World Premiere of Espiritu Vivo created by Ronald K. Brown and set to music performed live by Susana Baca; Asuka, Eduardo Vilaro's first work for the company; and the New York Premiere of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's Nube Blanco at The Joyce Theater from April 17-29, 2012 with Family Matinees on April 21, 28, 29 at 2pm.

Ballet Hispanico returns to The Joyce Theater for its annual New York Season from April 17-29, 2012. This year's program pays tribute to the richness and range of the company's Latino roots - and the diverse talents of the dancers - and features African and Caribbean influences. Works to be performed include a World Premiere, Espiritu Vivo, created especially for Ballet Hispanico by Ronald K. Brown and set to music by Afro-Peruvian Latin Grammy Award winner Susana Baca, who will perform live during Program A; the Joyce premiere of Asuka, Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro's first work for the company, an exuberant homage to salsa legend Celia Cruz; and the New York Premiere of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's Nube Blanco. The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street), NYC. Tickets range from $10-$59. Tickets are available by phone at 212-242-0800 or online at Joyce.org.

The program includes three premieres:

Espiritu Vivo, a collaboration between Ballet Hispanico and Brooklyn-based choreographer Ronald K. Brown, explores the intersection of the African and Latino diasporas in the Caribbean and in Latin America. Using the history, tradition, and dance forms from these regions, the work explores the stages of grief and the promise of a new day. Susana Baca will perform live during Program A.

Asuka is a celebration of the music of Celia Cruz through the lens of the Latino experience. Cruz, renowned as the "Queen of Salsa," captured the heart of Latinos the world over and became a symbol of perseverance for many. Eduardo Vilaro explores the struggles of departure from one's homeland and the exuberance of success experienced by a community.

Nube Blanco (White Cloud) is inspired by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's childhood memories of the songs of Maria Dolores Pradera. Lopez Ochoa integrates the Spanish zapateado technique or footwork that is found in flamenco dance and gives it a contemporary twist.

"We are thrilled to work with such gifted collaborators this season," said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director of Ballet Hispanico. "Ronald K. Brown's work, set to the music of the incomparable Susana Baca, is mesmerizing. Annabelle Lopez Ochoa has showcased the emotional range of our dancers in her pieces. And Celia Cruz's remarkable impact on the Latino community was the inspiration for my first work for Ballet Hispanico. I wanted to honor her music, which captured the voice of so many immigrants."

The revival Guajira features the guajira, the women of the Cuban countryside who spend their days toiling in the sun beside the men, then enjoy a little rest and perhaps a bit of flirtation, and in the evening forget their day of toil in a rousing guateque (party) with the other laborers. The typical guajiro rhythm is heard here, notably in the second ("Guajiras") section. But, like the culture of Cuba itself, the music and the gestural language of the piece hark back both to Africa and to Spain. Guajira was created by Pedro Ruiz and is set to the music of Los Activos, Conjunto Céspedes, and José Maria Vitieir.

Mad'moiselle, a highly theatrical work that explores iconic male/female images and gender role-playing in Latin American cultures, was created by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa to a soundscape inspired by Chavela Vargas. The score, developed by Ms. Ochoa with composer/sound designer Bart Rijnink, draws on the music of Ms. Vargas, who is best known for her rendition of Mexican rancheras.

Locked Up Laura, a sensuous pointe duet by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa set to the music of Bart Rijnink, explores the human struggle to maintain authenticity in the face of routine through the lens of an artist. Tito on Timbales is a tribute to the music of master percussionist Tito Puente.

Dancers: Lauren Alzamora, Donald Borror, Jamal Rashann Callender, Mario Ismael Espinoza, Rodney Hamilton, Min-Tzu Li, Andrea Salamanca, Jeffrey Sykes, Vanessa Valecillos, Kimberly Van Woesik, Joshua Winzeler, Jessica Alejandra Wyatt.

Ballet Hispanico will perform April 17-29, 2012 at The Joyce Theater, with performances Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30pm; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm; and Saturday at 2pm; and Sunday at 2pm and 7:30pm.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

Program A

Tuesday, April 17 at 7:30pm; Wednesday, April 18 at 7:30pm; Thursday, April 19 at 8pm; Friday, April 20 at 8pm; Saturday, April 21 at 8pm; Sunday, April 22 at 7:30pm

Nube Blanco; Espiritu Vivo with Susana Baca; Asuka

Program B

Tuesday, April 24 at 7:30pm; Wednesday, April 25 at 7:30pm; Thursday, April 26 at 8pm; Friday, April 27 at 8pm; Saturday, April 28 at 8pm

Guajira; Espiritu Vivo; Mad'moiselle

Program C

Saturday, April 21 at 2pm; Sunday, April 22 at 2pm; Saturday, April 28 at 2pm; Sunday, April 29 at 2pm

Tito on Timbales; Locked Up Laura; Espiritu Vivo; Asuka

The matinee performance on Saturday, April 21 will be a Family Matinee. Tickets for children are $10 ($6 with Joyce Junior Membership). Ballet Hispanico's Family Weekend matinees will take place on Saturday, April 28 and Sunday, April 29.

The Joyce Theater is located at 175 Eighth Avenue (at 19th Street), NYC. Tickets begin at $10 and are available by phone at 212-242-0800 or joyce.org.