LATIN HEAT AND OTHER BALLETS Highlight Latest Series From Dance Theatre of Tennessee

Latin Heat and other ballets-a celebration of dance, music and love-promises to be the hottest post-Valentine's Day ticket in Nashville, according to Christopher Mohnani, producing artistic director of Tennessee Dance Theatre. Performances are set for this Saturday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 4 at  2 p.m. at Father Ryan High School Auditorium, 700 Norwood Drive.

The Saturday night performance will be preceded by a pre-show discussion with the choreographers at 7 p.m.

With its mission of "bringing ballet to the people," DTT continues to offer "cutting edge choreography while honoring time-tested classics," Mohnani explains.

"A follow up to last season's critically acclaimed Aspects of Love, DTT's Latin Heat and other ballets will offer four premieres that will give every dance lover all they desire – wonderful dancing and choreography together with memorable and familiar music that will leave audiences wanting more."

Included in the evening is DTT's premiere of Valse Fantaisie, a George Balanchine piece to music by Glinka. Mohnani describes Valse Fantaisie as "a spirited charmer of a dance in which a myriad of steps and jumps are packed within a compressed time frame."

Called "a perfect introduction to a Balanchine ballet," and "a great honor for DTT as companies are evaluated by the George Balanchine Trust and Foundation to make sure they are up to the standard set by the choreographer before being allowed to perform," Valse Fantaisie is being restaged by former New York City ballet soloist and ballerina Stacey Calvert.

Other pieces in the evening include Inclined To Be That Way choreographed by MTSU dance department chair Kim Neal Nofsinger and set to music by country music legend Patsy Cline and Ecole de Ballet, choreographed by Ballet Manila artistic associate Osias Barroso set to Czerny's dramatic and powerful music.

Anchoring the evening is Fado de Amour a premiere by Hubbard Street's Ron De Jesus featuring Latin influenced music and dance in an explosive exploration of love and relationships.

"Ron De Jesus is an in demand choreographer in the ballet, concert and Broadway world," says Mohnani.

A leading dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and Twyla Tharp for 17 years, de Jesus brings his trademark sexy and energetic style to DTT, Mohnani suggests.

Tickets are available by visiting www.ticketsnashville.com. General admission tickets are $20 ($15 for students with valid ID) if bought online and are $25 ($20 for students with valid ID) at the door. A pre-show discussion will be held 30 minutes before theater doors open.

Tickets are available at www.ticketsnashville.com. For more information, go to www.dancetheatretn.org, or call (615) 391-5500 or email dance@dancetheatretn.org.

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