Thomas' Bad Boys of Dance to Perform at Ordway Center 10/30

Founded by internationally acclaimed ballet dancer Rasta Thomas, Bad Boys of Dance pushes the boundaries of male dancing with its engaging and athletic performance coming to Ordway Center for the Performing Arts on October 30 at 7:30p.m.
 
Debuting to rave reviews and sold-out crowds at Jacob's Pillow in 2007, Rasta Thomas' Bad Boys of Dance combines traditional ballet technique with entertaining forms of jazz, tap, Broadway, hip hop, gymnastics, martial arts and more in a high-energy and inventive show for every age.
 
Bad Boys of Dance brings to the Ordway two works from their repertoire - "Beautiful Day" and "Rock You." Each work offers no less than 10 songs from the World's favorite pop, rock and avant-garde offerings. Audience members can enjoy listening to songs from Prince, U2, Queen and Michael Jackson all while watching the talent and versatility of Thomas' dancers. 
 
Rasta Thomas was born in San Francisco, California, raised in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and studied at the world-renowned Kirov Academy in Washington D.C. In 1995, he joined Le Jeune Ballet de France and in 1997 was invited to be a Principal Dancer with the Hartford Ballet. In 2001 Rasta was the first American to become a member of the Kirov Ballet of St. Petersburg, Russia, and then in 2003 he joined Dance Theatre of Harlem as its youngest principal dancer. His guest credits include American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Lines Contemporary Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, The Lar Lubovitch Dance Company and the Pacific Northwest Ballet. Thomas is the Founding and Artistic Director of "Bad Boys of Dance," alongside his wife and dance partner Adrienne Cantera-Thomas, who serves as Associate-Artistic Director of "Bad Boys of Dance" and Artistic Director of "Pretty Girls of Dance."
 
Thomas is charged with bringing a youthful audience back to the theater to watch dance. His goal is that Bad Boys of Dance will engage audiences with its artistry, unsurpassed technique and shameless good looks. After all, Thomas says he named his company Bad Boys of Dance, "Because that's what I am and who we are."
 
Ticket holders are invited to attend a special, no-charge Ordway Extra in the Marzitelli Foyer before the show at 6:30p.m, which discusses with a panel of local dance artists what it means to be a male dancer. To learn more about Ordway Extras, visit ordway.org/events/.
 
The Ordway celebrates its 25th anniversary season as one of the nation's leading not-for-profit performing arts centers and Saint Paul's most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway's Main Hall and McKnight Theatre stages attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, jazz, dance, and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway's mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve over 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also sponsors the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances.

Tickets are $30.50 to $35.50. Visit ordway.org for more information.

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