Iain Webb News

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On Saturday, August 18, 2018, I attended the 8pm performance, Program B, of the Sarasota Ballet, at the Joyce Theater. Iain Webb, former dancer with both the Sadler's Wells and the Royal Ballet of London, dancing lead roles, took over the directorship of the Sarasota Ballet in July 2007. This program included pieces by Christopher Wheeldon and Sir Frederick Ashton.

Before the curtain even went up on the Sarasota Ballet on August 16, 2018, at the Joyce Theater, I was wondering if all the disruptions in the auditorium were a harbinger of things to come.

The Joyce Theater Foundation (Linda Shelton, Executive Director) announced today a schedule change to its upcoming presentation of The Sarasota Ballet. The final performance of the engagement on Sunday, August 19 will now be Program B, A Celebration of Sir Frederick Ashton, featuring a guest performance by former American Ballet Theatre principal Marcelo Gomes. 

The Joyce Theater Foundation (Linda Shelton, Executive Director) is pleased to present the return of The Sarasota Ballet, following its highly successful, critically acclaimed 2016 Joyce debut, from August 14-19, 2018. Under the Artistic Direction of Iain Webb, The Sarasota Ballet will present two programs featuring works by Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon, Sarasota Ballet Resident Choreographer and Principal dancer Ricardo Graziano. and Sir Frederick Ashton, whose work the company has become renowned for executing with such skill and strength. Indeed, one of the programs has been designed to celebrate Ashton, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his death, and will include a guest performance by Marcelo Gomes.

The Joyce Theater Foundation (Linda Shelton, Executive Director) is pleased to present the return of The Sarasota Ballet, following its highly successful, critically acclaimed 2016 Joyce debut, from August 14-19, 2018. Under the Artistic Direction of Iain Webb, The Sarasota Ballet will present two programs featuring works by Tony Award-winner Christopher Wheeldon, Sarasota Ballet Resident Choreographer and Principal dancer Ricardo Graziano. and Sir Frederick Ashton, whose work the company has become renowned for executing with such skill and strength. Indeed, one of the programs has been designed to celebrate Ashton, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his death, and will include a guest performance by Marcelo Gomes.

The Sarasota Ballet's 27th Season Gala, 7 April 2018, will feature guest artists Susan Graham, Misty Copeland and Marcelo Gomes, as well as a World Premiere by Ricardo Graziano Sarasota, FL (April 2, 2018) - The Sarasota Ballet has announced that tickets to the Company's 27th Season Gala Dinner have sold out, however tickets for only the performance are now available. The Gala performance, at the Sarasota Opera house, 7 April 2018, will feature Opera Star Susan Graham and internationally acclaimed ballet stars Misty Copeland and Marcelo Gomes as well as performances by The Sarasota Ballet, including a World Premiere by Resident Choreographer Ricardo Graziano.

Ballet Hispanico to perform three works by female Latino choreographers at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 23 - 25 February 2018. Sarasota, FL (January 30, 2018) - The Sarasota Ballet presents Ballet Hispanico, 23 - 25 February 2018 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, featuring three works: Michelle Manzanales' Con Brazos Abiertos, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's Linea Recta and Tania Perez-Salas' Catorce Dieciseis. This international touring company will arrive in Sarasota following performances in Germany and Norway and will head to Scotland following their Sarasota run.

The Sarasota Ballet will perform Taylor's Airs, Graziano's Valsinhas and North's Troy Game at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 26 29 January 2018. Sarasota, FL (January 9, 2018) The Sarasota Ballet's first production of the New Year, Moving Identities, opens January 26 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, with a triple bill of stimulating, thrilling and entertaining Modern and Neo-Classical works.

Sarasota Ballet Metropolitan

Choreographed by Matthew Hart and designed by Peter Docherty, John Ringling's Circus Nutcracker is a full length family friendly ballet envisioned as a gift to the City of Sarasota. Sarasota, FL (November 30, 2017) The Sarasota Ballet's production of Matthew Hart's John Ringling's Circus Nutcracker entwines the history of John and Mable Ringling, and Sarasota's unique connection to the Circus with Hoffman's classic tale of The Nutcracker. Opening December 15 at the Van Wezel for three performances, the ballet is performed with a full orchestra the Sarasota Orchestra making it the only Nutcracker in the Sarasota Manatee area with live music.

Works & Process at the Guggenheim presents The Sarasota Ballet: Classical and New Voices on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 3pm and 7:30pm.

The Sarasota Ballet's second production of the Season, Metropolitan, will open on December 1 at the Sarasota Opera House, with a triple bill by Sir Frederick Ashton, Marcelo Gomes and George Balanchine. For these performances The Sarasota Ballet will be accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra under the baton of American Ballet Theatre Music Director Ormsby Wilkins.

The Sarasota Ballet's second production of the Season, Metropolitan, will open on December 1 at the Sarasota Opera House, with a triple bill by Sir Frederick Ashton, Marcelo Gomes and George Balanchine.

The Sarasota Ballet's Director Iain Webb announces today that Friedemann Vogel, Principal dancer with Germany's Stuttgart Ballet; and Xander Parish, Principal dancer with Russia's Mariinsky Ballet, will be performing with the Company as Principal Guest Artists.

The Sarasota Ballet announces today the line-up of films for the 2017 2018 The Principal Film Series, which invites audiences to explore the world of dance through cinema and gain a special insight into the history of ballet.

Opening The Sarasota Ballet's 27th Season is Will Tuckett's full-length family friendly ballet The Secret Garden, 27-29 October 2017 at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts.

New this Season is The Sarasota Ballet's 2 Ballet Family Package, where audiences can experience the magic of dance with two incredible family friendly ballets The Secret Garden and John Ringling's Circus Nutcracker.