Smuin Ballet Springs Forward with Two 'XXcentric' World Premieres, Now thru 6/7

Smuin Ballet closes its 20th Anniversary Season with two World Premieres and a Michael Smuin Classic, touring the Bay Area today, May 2 - June 7, 2014 in the XXcentric Spring Dance Series.

The program will feature one act of Michael Smuin's ebullient Dancin' With Gershwin ballet, back on the Smuin stage for the first time since 2008. Dancers will be accompanied by vocal and instrumental recordings by such artists as Peter Gabriel, Marilyn Monroe, Sting, Carmen McRae, and Michael Feinstein, performing such memorable classics as "Summertime," "Do it Again," and "The Man I Love."

XXcentric will also include World Premieres from Smuin's Choreographer in Residence Amy Seiwert and Val Caniparoli, internationally renowned choreographer and principal character dancer at San Francisco Ballet. Seiwert's ballet, as yet untitled, will be set to the music of Cesária Évora, known as "The Queen of Morna." Caniparoli's new work, title as yet to be announced, will be set to concerti by Vivaldi.

XXcentric will kick off its tour at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, San Francisco, May 2-11, continuing at the Lesher Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek, May 16-17; the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts May 21-25; and at the Sunset Center, Carmel, June 6-7.

SHOWS:

SAN FRANCISCO

May 2-11, 2014

8:00pm Friday, May 2

2:00 & 8:00pm Saturday, May 3

2:00pm Sunday, May 4

8:00pm Wednesday, May 7

8:00pm Thursday, May 8

8:00pm Friday, May 9

2:00 & 8:00pm Saturday, May 10
2:00pm Sunday, May 11

Yerba Buena Center for the Arts

Lam Research Theater

701 Mission Street

(415) 912-1899 or www.smuinballet.org

Tickets: ($24-$64)*

WALNUT CREEK

May 16-17, 2014

8:00pm Friday

2:00pm Saturday

Lesher Center for the Arts

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek

(925) 943-7469 or www.smuinballet.org

Tickets ($54-$70)*

MOUNTAIN VIEW

May 21-25, 2014

8:00pm Wednesday - Friday

2:00 & 8:00pm Saturday

2:00pm Sunday

Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts

500 Castro Street, Mountain View

(650) 903-6000 or www.smuinballet.org

Tickets ($52-$68)*

CARMEL

June 6-7, 2014

8:00pm Friday

2:00pm Saturday

Sunset Center

San Carlos Street, Carmel

(831) 620-2048 or www.smuinballet.org

Tickets ($55-$70)*

*All prices are listed without fees - box office and order fees may apply.

Discounts are available for students and groups of 10 or more.

Pictured: Smuin Ballet dancers Ben Needham-Wood and Erin Yarbrough in "The Man I Love," a number from Michael Smuin's ballet Dancin' With Gershwin, part of Smuin's XXcentric Spring Dance Series touring the Bay Area May 2 - June 7, 2014.

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