Hostos Center to Welcome Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico to the Bronx

The Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture celebrates Puerto Rican Heritage Month with the highly-anticipated return of Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 7:30pm in the Main Theater of Hostos Community College, located at 450 Grand Concourse in the Bronx.

Tickets range in price from $10 - $25 and can be purchased by calling (718) 518-4455 or online at www.hostoscenter.org. Box Office window hours are Mon. - Fri., 1 PM to 4 PM. Hostos Community College can be reached by the IRT 2, 4, 5, and busses Bx1, Bx2, Bx19 to East 149th Street and the Grand Concourse.

The Island's leading ballet and contemporary Dance Company returns to New York after 12 years, with a mixed repertory program that highlights the company's artistry and versatility. The opening work is "Festival" from Pico Rico Mandorico, choreographed by the renowned Peruvian choreographer Jimmy Gamonet and based on the short story by Puerto Rican children's author Rosario Ferré. It is followed by a pas de deux, Desire, by Ballet Austin Artistic Director Stephen Mills, which is inspired by the difficult emotion of letting go. Demonstrating its "on point" technical ability, Ballet Concierto perform selections from the classic French ballet La Vivandière by Arthur Saint Leon and Fanny Cerrito. The first half concludes with a staple from the Company's repertoire Muñecos, by the Cuban Choreographer Alberto Méndez and based on the story known since the origins of the theater about two dolls coming to life during the night.

On the second half of the program, Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico performs one of their most popular works in a contemporary vein, The Latin Suite, created by the Dominican choreographer Isadora Bruno, featuring music of Marc Anthony, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Willie Colón & Héctor Lavoe, and Juan Luis Guerra. According to Ballet Concierto Artistic Director Carlos Cabrera, "the energy and popularity of these songs throughout Latin America create a colorful context for the vibrant choreography of this work."

Since its foundation in 1979, Ballet Concierto has established itself as one of the most influential dance companies of Puerto Rico. Through its repertoire, training programs, and the company's annual Choreographer's Festival (since 1985), Ballet Concierto has gained international recognition and won awards in some of the most prestigious ballet competitions. Ballet Concierto has traveled throughout the world representing Puerto Rico in Germany, Egypt, the United States, Taiwan, and throughout the Caribbean. The company has participated in important dance festivals such as Lincoln Center Out of Doors in New York, Jacob's Pillow in Massachusetts, the Tanzfestival in Germany, the 23rd International Dance Festival in La Habana, Cuba in 2014, the XI International Gala of Ballet in Nicaragua, and the Contemporary Dance Festival EDANCO in the Dominican Republic in 2015. With 37 years as the premier ballet company of the Island, the International Dance Week recognized Ballet Concierto in 2011, for its successful impact on the dance community in Puerto Rico and the world.

Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico is co-presented as part of the 11th Annual BORIMIX: Puerto Rico Fest celebrating Puerto Rican heritage, arts and culture during the month of November and organized by the Society of Educational Arts (SEA).

The Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture consists of a museum-grade art gallery, a 367-seat Repertory Theater, and a 900-seat Main Theater, presenting artists of national and international renown. It is easily accessible from Manhattan, Queens and New Jersey and is a mere 15 minutes by subway from midtown Manhattan. www.hostoscenter.org

Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change, transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. Hostos serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, and a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College's unique "student success coach" program, which partners students with individualized guidance, is emblematic of the premier emphasis on student support and services. Hostos Community College is part of CUNY, the nation's leading urban public university serving more than 480,000 students at 24 colleges. www.hostos.cuny.edu

IF YOU GO:

Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico

When: Saturday, November 12, 7:30 PM

Where: Main Theater, Hostos Center for the Arts and Culture, 450 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York 10451

How much?: $25 Orchestra Seats; $20 Mezzanine Seats; $10 For Students and Under 18

Phone: 718-518-4455

Website: www.hostoscenter.org

Subway/Bus: IRT Trains 2, 4, 5 and Buses BX1, BX2, BX19 to 149th Street and Grand Concourse.

Photo Credit: José Santiago

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