New Orleans Ballet Association

The sizzling and stylish Ballet Hispanico kicks off NOBA�s 2008-2009 season of dance, bringing the colorful vitality of Hispanic culture and a distinctive blend of ballet, modern and Latin dance to Tulane�s Dixon Hall on October 24 and 25, at 8 p.m.

Hailed by the Chicago Sun-Times as a company that is �gorgeous to look at and thrilling to watch,� this always-popular company returns to New Orleans with an entertaining program of works by three very distinctive choreographers. The evening begins with Club Havana (2000) choreographed by one of Ballet Hispanico�s veteran dancers, Pedro Ruiz. As one of the company�s signature dances, Club Havana explores Latin dancing at its best, and Ruiz has imagined his very own Latin social dance club where the intoxicating rhythms of the Conga, Rumba, Mambo, and Cha Cha are brought to life. Group Portrait of a Lady (1983) departs from the traditional Latin dance styles to add a modern twist with a dramatic, narrative ballet by acclaimed choreographer Vicente Nebrada set to Variaciones Concertantes by Alberto Ginastera. The evening�s finale is a piece by the sensational, Tony Award winning choreographer and Broadway star Ann Reinking. Celebrated for her work with the legendary Bob Fosse and the 1997 revival of Chicago, Reinking brings her signature style to Ritmo y Ruido (1997), where her slinky choreography is paired with the irresistible pulse of hip-hop and Afro-Cuban rhythms by percussionists/vocalists Philip Hamilton and Tobias Ralph.

Tickets for the performance range from $30 to $80. Students and seniors (65 and older) receive a $7 discount off the regular ticket prices. Group discounts also are available. For tickets or information, call the New Orleans Ballet Association Box Office at (504) 522-0996. Tickets may be purchased online through www.nobadance.com or via Ticketmaster at (504) 522-5555 or www.ticketmaster.com.
Ballet Hispanco in residence with Chase Primeros Pasos

During a week-long residency in New Orleans, Ballet Hispanico will work deeply in the community and conduct a number of cultural activities developed through its award-winning educational division. As part of Chase Primeros Pasos (First Steps), the company will present 12 workshops a day at schools in New Orleans, Jefferson, and Baton Rouge for grades 3-5 on Oct 23, 24, 27, and 29. On Oct. 28, the company will perform two student performances of Viva Las Americas at Tulane�s Dixon Hall. In addition, the company will conduct Latin Social dance classes in Baton Rouge and New Orleans as well as two master classes and two pre-performance talks. The official locations and times of Chase Primeros Pasos events in New Orleans will be posted at a later date.
Special thanks to JPMorgan Chase & Co. for supporting Chase Primeros Pasos on tour.

Ballet Hispanico�s return to New Orleans marks Artistic Director and Founder, Tina Ramirez�s final season. Ramirez will step aside as Artistic Director in June 2009. �I am planning to continue as a roving ambassador and spokesperson for the Company and School and to carry forward my work as an advocate for dance education for all and for widespread community support for artistic excellence,� said Ramirez. �This will be a year of celebrating all that Ballet Hispanico has achieved with the wonderful participation of friends and family � dancers, students, supporters, board and staff.�

In addition to being a 2005 National Medal of Arts recipient, Ramirez has also received countless awards and honors in recognition of her work. She has combined her artistic vision with years of performance and teaching experience to create and sustain the nation�s preeminent Hispanic-American dance company and school. Since its founding in 1970, the Ballet Hispanico Company has performed for more than two million people on three continents, building a repertory of over 75 works created specifically for the troupe by some of the world�s most acclaimed choreographers.

Ballet Hispanico performances are sponsored by AT&T, and El Tiempo is the official media sponsor of the event.

This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), which believes that a great nation deserves great art; a grant from the Southern Arts Federation in partnership with the NEA and the Louisiana Division of the Arts; a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans (ACNO); a Community Arts Grant made possible through the City of New Orleans as administered by ACNO; a grant from the Louisiana State Arts Council through the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the NEA.

###