Ballet Memphis Community Celebration
BALLET MEMPHIS to host free Community Celebration at new Midtown home
Day of activity planned for Saturday, August 26, 2017
MEMPHIS, TENN. (August 10, 2017) – – – BALLET MEMPHIS is hosting a Community Celebration day of activity at its new Midtown home on Saturday, August 26, 2017. Ballet Memphis is located at 2144 Madison Avenue at the corner of Madison and Cooper in the Overton Square district.
Doors will open at noon, and there are activities for all ages planned including special performances by the professional company, engaging conversations, Pilates demonstrations, join-in activities, and more. The afternoon is free and open to the public. Parking is available in the Overton Square area.
“We want the community to come fly with us as we celebrate everything that makes Memphis great,” Dorothy Gunther Pugh, CEO/Founding Artistic Director, said. “It’s a thank-you party for the community and a welcome to a bold new world in Midtown at the same time.”
Additional Event: “Housewarming” dance party starting at 7:30 p.m. Sat., August 26, 2017 for those 21+, featuring a mini performance, and a dance party. Beer and wine available for sale (cash or credit card accepted). Must have ID on site. Food available for purchase at Mama Gaia. RSVP requested at https://balletmemphishousewarming.eventbrite.com.
Complete schedule available to download at https://www.balletmemphis.org/ - celebrate.
Ballet Memphis School will begin its fall semester at both the Midtown and Memphis Jewish Community Center locations on August 14. For more information, visit balletmemphis.org.
Community Celebration
Saturday, August 26, 12-4 pm
2144 Madison Avenue
Schedule subject to change.
12:30-12:50pm FLY – Performance. A special world premiere contemporary piece choreographed by dancer Rafael Ferreras, in celebration of all the hands that built this building.
1-1:20pm FLY – Spark! conversations. “Building a space for dance and community” featuring Founding Artistic Director and Chief Dreamer Dorothy Gunther Pugh and our partners from archimania
1-1:15pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. Signature moves (all ages)
1:15-1:35pm DREAM – Join-in Activity. Line dancing (all ages)
1:20-1:35pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. Crazy mixed-up animals (all ages)
1:30-1:50pm FLY – Performance. Ballet Memphis performing Sa Voix by Julie Marie Niekrasz and excerpts from Classic Hitz by our Knowledge Quest Dance Club
1:30-2:00pm DISCOVER – Performance. Youth Ballet Memphis excerpts Match Girl and performs Begin, in 1st Position
1:40-1:55pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. Art in Motion (all ages)
1:45-2:05pm DREAM – Join-in Activity. Discover Dance for your tiny dancers (ages 3-5)
2-2:20pm FLY – Spark! Conversations. “What Ballet Memphis has meant to me” featuring alumnae of the Ballet Memphis School
2-2:20pm DISCOVER – Behind the Scenes. Ballet Memphis rehearsal
2-2:15pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. 2-minute fairy tales
2:15-2:35pm DREAM – Join-in Activity. Hip-Hop (all ages)
2:20-2:35pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. Signature moves (all ages)
2:30-2:50pm FLY – Performance. Classical and contemporary samplings from Ballet Memphis professional dancers and Youth Ballet Memphis
2:40-2:55pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. Crazy mixed-up animals
2:40-3:00pm DISCOVER – Behind the Scenes. Ballet Memphis rehearsal
2:45-3:05pm DREAM – Join-in Activity. Improv Dance (ages 7+)
3:00-3:15pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. Art in Motion (all ages)
3-3:20pm FLY – Join-in Activity. Join Nikki Lewis for “Storytelling” and learn quick tips for listening and interpreting ideas into movement
3:15-3:35pm DREAM – Join-in Activity. Jazz dancing (all ages)
3:20-3:35pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. 2-minute fairy tales
3:30-3:50pm FLY – Performance. Ballet Memphis performing Confluence and reprising the world premiere honoring our construction teams
3:40-3:55pm IMAGINE – Join-in Activity. Signature moves (all ages)
3:45-4:00pm DREAM – Join-in Activity. Adult ballet (all ages & beginners welcome)
About Ballet Memphis - In its 31st season, Ballet Memphis serves as a creative resource to the nation through its innovative neoclassical and contemporary repertoire, as well as production and training of the highest caliber. Founded by Dorothy Gunther Pugh in 1986, Ballet Memphis employs 26 dancers with a $4.4 million operating budget and has performed around the world to audience and critical acclaim. The combined programs of Ballet Memphis – professional Company, ballet school, educational enrichment and Pilates Centre – serve more than 80,000 people each year.
