Kaye Playhouse presents U.S. Debut of Ballet Contemporaneo de Camaguey in Cuba

"I have always had this vision in mind to bring Cuba and New York dance closer together. It is only now,when I have the opportunity to work with the Arnhold Graduate Dance Education program at Hunter, as well as my position as Artistic Director of Ballet Contemporaneo de Camaguey in Cuba, that it is the absolute perfect opportunity to make my dream come true." Pedro Ruiz

The BALLET CONTEMPORANEO DE CAMAGUEY, with choreography and artistic direction by Pedro Ruiz, will make its U.S. debut with three performances, September 14-16 at the Kaye Playhouse, 695 Park Avenue (entrance on 68th Street between Park & Lexington). Ruiz was trained in his native Cuba and in Venezuela before moving to New York, where he joined Ballet Hispanico. Over his 21-year career with the Company, Ruiz was a celebrated member of Ballet Hispanico as both principal dancer and choreographer. He also held steadfastly to his ambition to contribute to dance in Cuba and to share the artistry of the Cuban dancers. In 2009, after 30 years away from his homeland, Ruiz returned to Cuba, a trip that was documented by WNET/13 in a breathtaking, hour long documentary, "Pedro Ruiz: Coming Home," that has been aired many times on Channel 13. Ruiz began his association with the Ballet Contemporaneo de Camaguey in 2013, and now fulfills his dream to bring the Company to New York for its U.S. debut.

The Ballet Contemporaneo de Camaguey will appear in three Ruiz ballets:

Guajira
Music: Los Activos, Grupo Cespedes, Jose Maria Pitier
Originally created in 1999 for Ballet Hispanico, inspired by the choreographer's upbring in Santa Clara, Cuba, and a tribute to his Cuban culture

Somewhere in Time
Music: Vivaldi
A 2016 full company work that explores the artistic sensibility of the Baroque period

Taking the Soul for a Walk
Muisc: Cuban composer Dafnis Prieto
Inspired by the energy, passion, and sensuality of the Cuban youth of today.

The Ballet Contemporaneo de Camaguey is presented under the auspices of The Windows Project, created by Pedro Ruiz after his return to his native Cuba for his first professional collaboration with Cuban dancers. The organization was formed to foster cross-cultural opportunities for understanding and dialogue through dance, and has resulted in the creation of ballets for Cuban dance companies. The auspicious beginning was with Danza del Alma, particularly meaningful as Ruiz' ballet was presented, not only in Ruiz' home town of Santa Clara, but at the Teatro La Caridad, where he made his stage debut at the age of six. Ruiz continued his connection with the Danza del Alma, in partnership with the Ludwig Foundation of Cuba, and subsequently began his relationship with the Ballet Contemporaneo de Camaguey, now acting as their Artistic Director.

September 14-16, Thursday at 7 PM, Friday & Saturday at 8 PM
Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, 695 Park Avenue (entrance on 68th Street between Park & Lexington)
Tickets: $49; $29; $15 for students
Reservations: 212-772-4448 or www.hunter.cuny.edu/kayeplayhouse/calendar