Ballet Hispanico to Perform at Apollo Theater, 11/22

Ballet Hispanico, recognized as the nation's leading Latino dance organization since 1970, continues their Performances for Young People series with shows at 10am and 11:30am on Friday, November 22, 2013. Tickets are $8 and are available by contacting Siomara Bridges at (212) 362-6710 x17 or sbridges@ballethispanico.org. DOE Vouchers accepted (NYC Department of Education Vendor ID: BAL06500). The Apollo Theater is located at 253 W. 125th Street, NYC.

Ballet Hispanico will delight students with a guided journey through Latin American dance forms and music. Highlights of the program include Umbral, an imaginative interpretation of the beloved Mexican celebration Día de los Muertos; Quinceañera, a contemporary work that commemorates a 15-year-old girl's passage to womanhood; and Tango Vitrola, set to 1920s milonga recordings. The performance will also feature the participation of BHdos, Ballet Hispanico's Second Company for young pre-professional dancers. It will be narrated and followed by a Q&A with the Ballet Hispanico dancers.

Umbral
Choreography by Edgar Zendejas
Mexican-born Edgar Zendejas's first commission for Ballet Hispanico-set to original music by electroacoustic composer Owen Belton-is an imaginative interpretation of the beloved Mexican celebration "Día de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead).

Quinceanera
Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro
Quindeanera explores the Latin American celebration that commemorates a 15-year-old girl's passage from childhood to womanhood. This ballet takes the audience on a journey through the different emotions experienced by girls who participate in this celebration.

Tango Vitrola
Choreography by Alejandro Cervera
Turning tango on its head, Alejandro Cervera creates a dance that highlights the struggle between men and women through simple yet poetic patterns.

Ballet Hispanico will also perform three new pieces to live music at the Apollo Theater on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 7:30pm. The performance is sponsored by Goya Foods. Highlights include a seductive world premiere by Edgar Zendejas inspired by the beloved Mexican celebration "Día de los Muertos" (Day of the Dead), and the Apollo premiere of Belgian-Colombian Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's Sombrerísimo, an athletic tour de force for six male dancers. The world premiere of Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro's Hogar will be set to vibrant live music by Ljova and the Kontraband, a mix of classical, Latin, and gypsy melodies. The Apollo Theater is located at 253 W. 125th Street, NYC. Tickets start at $28 and are available for purchase in person at the Apollo Theater Box Office, or through Ticketmaster at 800.745.3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.

Ballet Hispanico's performance at the Apollo Theater is the official closing event of the 2013 Latin American Cultural Week. Launched in 2006, the Latin American Cultural Week is an annual city-wide festival which highlights the production of dance, film, literature, music, theater, visual and performing arts of the Americas in New York City. www.lacw.net

Ballet Hispanico's 2014 New York season is made possible by Jody and John Arnhold, Goya Foods, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The Princess Grace Foundation - USA and with public support from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and Spain Culture New York-Consulate General of Spain & Spain Arts & Culture.