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Grand Rapids Ballet offers fun events for dance fans in March
By Adrienne Warber
Photo Courtesy of Grand Rapids Ballet
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.” The company is also offering a chance for dance fans who want to start getting into shape this spring through adult ballet classes. Grand Rapids Ballet School is still accepting new adult ballet students. March is a good time for ballet fans to come see their local dance company and to get involved in the art they enjoy.
Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company Shows
The fact that Grand Rapids School Junior Company dancers can comfortably dance on the same stage with professional company dancers and put on a well-staged and entertaining show is a major strength of the student company. Under the artistic direction of Junior Company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo, the student dancers have performed some truly outstanding show. In fact, they are becoming known for this high level of performance. Junior Company shows are selling out right alongside Grand Rapids Ballet professional company shows.
Fairy tales, princesses, wicked queens and magic spells are a part of the joy of childhood imagination and ballet is a wonderful way to bring the stories to life. Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company will present “Snow White” in four shows on March 4-6 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre. There is much excitement for this show, and already two of the four shows are sold out. The matinee performances of Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6 are sold out. Limited tickets are still available for the Friday, March 4, opening night and Saturday, March 5, shows. Be sure to get your tickets soon before all shows completely sell out. Visit Grand Rapids Ballet’s Facebook page for current ticket information.
Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company’s delightful annual performance of “Who Am I? A Butterfly Ballet” at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park has become a family tradition for many families when they go to the butterfly exhibit. Children and adults enjoy seeing the story of a newly formed butterfly told through dance and colorful costumes. It is a nice way to usher in spring and the popular butterfly exhibit. This year, the Junior Company will perform the one-hour-long “Who Am I? A Butterfly Ballet” on March 12 and on March 19 in two performances each day held at 10-11 a.m. and also at 12:30-1:30 p.m. The ballet will take place at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, located at 1000 East Beltline Ave NE in Grand Rapids. For tickets, call Frederik Meijer Gardens at 616-975-3147 or 616-975-3184 or enroll online through the Meijer Gardens website.
Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘The Best of Movemedia’
One of Grand Rapids Ballet’s most popular and critically acclaimed dance events is their annual “Movemedia” contemporary dance series. Each year, the ballet company selects some of the field’s leading and emerging choreographers from all over the world to participate in “Movemedia” and choreograph their works on Grand Rapids Ballet company dancers. Featured pieces are highly creative works of art, and often combine various forms of media in the dances, such as projections, lighting or a unique use of props. This year, the contemporary dance series will be a compilation of leading works, “The Best of Movemedia,” on March 18-20 at Peter Martin Wege Theatre. “The Best of Movemedia” will present Olivier Wevers’ “The Sofa,” Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s “Memorias Del Dorado,” Thom Dancy’s “You Gott Be Kidding Me!,” Brian Enos’ “Nae Regrets,” Kirk Peterson’s “Amazing Burning Dreams,” Penny Saunders’ “Joe and Ida,” and Robyn Mineko Williams’ “One Take.” These are all critically acclaimed pieces, and it is likely the shows will sell out. It is a good idea to secure tickets for “The Best of Movemedia” as soon as possible. Visit Grand Rapids Ballet’s website for more information.
Ticket Information for Grand Rapids Ballet Shows
Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company will present four shows of “Snow White” on March 4-6. Both matinee shows are sold out already. However, tickets are still available for the Friday 7:30 p.m. opening night show and the Saturday 7:30 p.m. performance.
Grand Rapids Ballet will hold three performances of “The Best of Movemedia” on March 18-20. The company will present two evening shows at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and one 2:00 p.m. matinee on Sunday.
Both shows will perform at Peter Martin Wege Theatre, located at 341 Ellsworth SW in Grand Rapids. Tickets for Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company’s performance of “Snow White” and for Grand Rapids Ballet’s “The Best of Movemedia” are available online through TicketMaster and through the Grand Rapids Ballet Box Office by calling 616-454-4771, ext. 10.
Adult Ballet Classes at Grand Rapids Ballet School
Anyone who enjoys dance and wants to get into shape this spring still has a chance to join Grand Rapids Ballet Schools’ adult ballet classes. All ballet experience levels from beginner to advanced are welcome. Grand Rapids Ballet School’s adult ballet classes focus on ballet technique, stretching for greater flexibility and athletic conditioning. Classes are held twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6:30-7:45 p.m. at the school’s Meijer-Royce Center for Dance at 341 Ellsworth SW. The Tuesday class is an intermediate level class, and the Thursday class is a beginner class. Experienced dancers can attend both classes, if desired. Those new to Grand Rapids Ballet School can try the first class free. Drop-in students are welcome. The school offers a 10-class punch card for $130 or a drop-in rate of $15 a class. Students with a valid student id can pay $12 a class. Seniors 60 and older can also pay $12 a class. Grand Rapids Ballet subscribers also receive a discounted rate and pay $12 a class. For more information on adult ballet classes or to enroll, call 616-454-4771 or email the school at school@grballet.com.
March is a great time to explore all that Grand Rapids Ballet has to offer the Greater Grand Rapids community. It is a wonderful art and education resource for West Michigan.
Originally published on Examiner.com on March 1, 2016