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Ballet News and Events
Read the ballet news headlines. Learn about dance events and find out the details about the hottest ballet topics.

Photo by Jon Clay Photo
Deos Contemporary Ballet celebrates art with live performance of ‘Trifles’ this Saturday
West Michigan dance fans have chance to see a live world premiere ballet this weekend. Deos Contemporary Ballet will present “Trifles,” an adaptation of the 1916 play by Susan Glaspell. Escape to the theater and experience a dance production that is both a mystery and comment on sisterhood. Deos Contemporary Ballet will perform two shows this Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Gezon Auditorium at Calvin University in Grand Rapids. The show follows COVID safety protocols, and will feature a small cast of six performers for a limited size audience…More>>

Yuka Oba-Muschiana and Josue Justiz in James Sofranko’s “Romeo and Juliet Balconey Pas de Deux,” Photo by Ray Nard Imagemaker
Grand Rapids Ballet celebrates the joy of dance with ‘Virtual Programs’ series
Grand Rapids Ballet shows their love of the West Michigan community and the art of dance through the launch of their new “Virtual Program” series to uplift people’s spirits during this challenging time. Artistic pursuits like dance both inspire hope and soothe anxiety during hard times. Grand Rapids Ballet began their online outreach through Grand Rapids Ballet School classes on YouTube and Zoom, and an online tribute to healthcare workers in a special performance, “Virtual Hug” that appeared on all of their social media platforms. Last Friday, Grand Rapids Ballet aired the first part of their online program, “Virtual Program I: Classic & Contemporary” on Vemo. The production was made available for donations of any amount as both a celebration of art and a way for the community to contribute to Michigan’s only professional ballet company.

Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Dance Ensemble
Explore contemporary dance art at Grand Rapids Dance Ensemble’s ‘Duality’ this weekend
West Michigan is a haven for the arts, especially dance. The greater Grand Rapids area offers many creative opportunities to both view and participate in dance-related events. One great dance opportunity is Grand Rapids Dance Ensemble, which offers a creative voice for former professional dancers and those who studied dance to perform and choreograph. This weekend Grand Rapids Dance Ensemble will explore the art of contemporary dance in their production of “Duality,” in two performances on May 4-5 at Pioneer Auditorium at Wealthy Elementary in East Grand Rapids…More>>

Photo Courtesy of Michigan Ballet Academy
Michigan Ballet Academy presents ‘Don Quixote’
West Michigan is home to many dance schools that offer opportunities for student dancers to perform in high quality productions. Michigan Ballet Academy, a classical ballet school specializing in the Vaganova method, is known for performing some of the community’s most impressive shows. Michigan Ballet Academy will present “Don Quixote,” in three performances on April 13-14 at Jenison Center for the Arts in Jenison, MI. Tickets are on sale now…More>>

Photo by Seth Thompson for Grand Rapids Ballet
Grand Rapids Ballet’s masterful ‘Christmas Carol’ production creates excitement for 2018
After ending the year with two highly successful productions last month, Grand Rapids Ballet begins 2018 with a promising future for the West Michigan dance community. It was a daring move to plan a world premiere ballet production of “A Christmas Carol” a mere two weeks after their performance of “The Nutcracker.” However, the number of sold-out shows and glowing reviews for both December productions is setting the stage for the type of high caliber and artistic shows audiences can experience during Grand Rapids Ballet’s remaining 2017-18 Season. The artistry of choreographer Brian Enos in “A Christmas Carol” and superb cast dancing provides a glimpse into the way Grand Rapids Ballet blends classical ballet with contemporary movement to retell classic stories. The show is a great example of how the company reimagines the art of dance for today’s audiences…More>>

Photo by Michael Auer for Grand Rapids Ballet
Grand Rapids Ballet performs ‘Beethoven’s 5th Symphony’ at ArtPrize
ArtPrize Nine opens Wednesday, September 20 and will run until October 8. Dance art is prominent right at the start of ArtPrize. This weekend, you can experience the art of one of West Michigan’s leading art organizations, Grand Rapids Ballet. The ballet company has entered ArtPrize with four special presentations of “Beethoven’s 5th Symphony,” a segment of their critically acclaimed “Beethoven” ballet, which will be performed on Friday, September 22 on the Blue Bridge, Saturday, September 23 at Rosa Parks Circle and Ah-Nab-Awen Park, and Sunday, September 24 at The Harris Building…More>>

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Audition: Unique Dance Opportunity for Adults in Grand Rapids
Are you a former dancer who misses performing? Or are you an adult ballet student who wants a chance to learn a choreographed dance and perform in shows? A new contemporary dance and modern ballet company, Grand Rapids Dance Ensemble, is forming in West Michigan to offer adults both performance and choreography opportunities. Grand Rapids Dance Ensemble will hold their auditions next week, August 18-19, to find local talent for their new performance group…More>>

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Balletmore will perform ‘Be Moved’ today at Northview PAC
Looking for a fun weekend family activity? Consider Balletmore Dance Studio’s performance of “Be Moved,” which will celebrate the art of dance and creative expression through student performance numbers. The show will take place this Saturday, May 13, at 2:00 p.m. at Northview High School’s Max Colley Jr. Performing Arts Center at 4451 Hunsberger Ave NE in Grand Rapids…More>>

Photo Courtesy of Balletmore
Balletmore’s new ballet ‘The Lost Toyshop’ premieres on Saturday
If you are looking for a fun activity for the entire family, Balletmore Dance Studio’s “The Lost Toyshop” is a great option. The new ballet, performed by Balletmore’s Ensemble, will take the audience on a woodland adventure with three sisters. It is a delightful show for all ages, including young children. Balletmore Ensemble will perform “The Lost Toyshop” on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. at the Wealthy Theatre’s Peter Wege Auditorium…More>>

Photo by Isaak Aoki
Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Pas & Paws’ will warm hearts
Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB) and the Humane Society of West Michigan (HSWM) are joining together to give a special Valentine’s gift to ballet fans all over Michigan. The two organizations are presenting “Pas & Paws,” a special command performance of GRB’s “Black and White: Swan Lake,” and pet adoption information event on Tuesday, February 14 at Grand Rapids Ballet’s Peter Martin Wege Theatre. This is a chance to see the Grand Rapids Ballet’s critically acclaimed “Black and White: Swan Lake” as well as to support the worthy causes of art and pet adoption…More>>

Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
Grand Rapids Ballet’s 2016 spring dance events
Grand Rapids Ballet has many fun family dance events to offer West Michigan dance fans this March. The month begins with Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company putting on a production of the beloved fairy tale, “Snow White,” and then performing their annual “Who Am I? A Butterfly Ballet” at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in Mid-March. Later in March, Grand Rapids Ballet company dancers will perform a special production of their contemporary dance series, “The Best of Movemedia.”…More>>

“Swan Lake” performed by Russian Royal Balleet, © Jackq | Dreamstime.com
Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Swan Lake’ tickets already selling out
Grand Rapids Ballet’s “Swan Lake” opens tonight. The company’s highly successful and critically acclaimed new version of “The Nutcracker” ushered in the 2014-15 Season. Now Grand Rapids Ballet presents one of the world’s most popular classic ballets. “Swan Lake” has it all – a passionate love story, star-crossed lovers, a steamy love triangle, magical creatures and an evil sorcerer, all set in the lush Renaissance era…More>>

Original artwork by Chris Van Allsburg, Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
Chris Van Allsburg’s ‘Nutcracker’ art
“The Nutcracker” is about the magic of Christmas and childhood imagination. The story told through the artistry of dance ushers in the Christmas season for many West Michigan families. In much the same manner, families all over the country love the art of children’s book author/illustrator Chris Van Allsburg, and many of his books are favorite childhood stories. Grand Rapids Ballet is taking two classic family traditions to create a new one. This year, Grand Rapids Ballet is bringing the art of Chris Van Allsburg to life on stage…More>>