Mengjun Chen News

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announces an extension of its virtual classes, due to continued overwhelmingly positive response to its Company artist- and alumni-led program.

East Bay dance audiences may be pondering not “to be or not to be” but whether 'tis nobler to dance when Smuin Contemporary Ballet takes the stage with Smuin al Fresco at the beautiful outdoor Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda.

Since launching last April, Smuin Contemporary Ballet has led hundreds of aspiring and professional dancers through Virtual Classes in movement including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, dance-based fitness, and more.

Taught by Smuin dancers and alumni, the latest extension of these popular classes for all levels continues, plus the return of the starter 'Ballet FUNdamentals' workshop and “Easy Movin' with Smuin” class for seniors.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet continues its inspiring tradition of encouraging company dancers to explore their creativity in its Choreography Showcase, an opportunity for audiences to experience a treasure trove of stunning world premieres ranging from humorous to heartfelt.

Since launching last April, Smuin Contemporary Ballet has led hundreds of aspiring and professional dancers through Zoom-based drop-in Virtual Classes in movement including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, fitness and more.

Smuin kicks off the holiday season with the first-ever virtual edition of its ever-popular The Christmas Ballet program.

Since launching in April, Smuin Contemporary Ballet has led hundreds of aspiring and professional dancers through Zoom-based drop-in Virtual Classes in ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, dance-based fitness and more.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announces its triumphant return to streaming performances with the launch of its Virtual Fall Dance Series.

Since launching in April, Smuin Contemporary Ballet has led hundreds of aspiring and professional dancers through Zoom-based drop-in Virtual Classes in ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, dance-based fitness and more. Taught by Smuin dancers and alumni, the latest extension of these popular classes for all levels of at-home dancers includes the addition of a?oeEasy Movin' with Smuina?? aimed at seniors and anyone interested in focusing on balance and coordination. Smuin also announces the continuation of its Class for a Cause program benefiting organizations supporting important needs in the community.

Since launching in April, Smuin Contemporary Ballet has led hundreds of aspiring and professional dancers at home through more than 350 hours of Virtual Classes. The latest extension (August 10 a?" September 4) announces the continuation of these popular classes taught by Smuin dancers and alumni, providing all levels of at-home dancersa?"beginner, intermediate, and advanceda?"with Zoom-based drop-in lessons in ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, and more.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet has announced Class for a Cause, and the extension of its hit virtual classes featuring lessons in a variety of dance styles now through August 2, 2020.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announces the extension of its hit virtual classes featuring lessons in a variety of dance styles now through July 5, 2020. Smuin's Virtual Classes taught by its Company artists and alumni provide at-home dancers of all levelsa?"beginner, intermediate, and advanceda?"with the opportunity to participate in Zoom-based drop-in lessons in ballet, tap, contemporary, jazz, and more.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announces Ma Cong's fast and flirtatious French Twist as the next installment of its popular Hump Day Ballets series, which aims to brighten mid-week spirits with free video streaming of works from the company's archives. Inspired by the American cartoon a?oeTom and Jerry,a?? French Twist uses contemporary movement set to five musical selections by the late French composer Hugues Le Bars. Ma Cong's French Twist will be offered beginning Wednesday, June 10, 2020, accompanied by a video introduction with current company dancer Mengjun Chen, who attended Beijing Dance Academy a generation after Cong. The recorded performance will be available for 48 hours only, with streaming instructions announced through Smuin's email list (sign up at smuinballet.org), or via Smuin's Facebook (facebook.com/SmuinBallet) and Instagram (instagram.com/smuinballet). For more information the public may visit smuinballet.org.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet announced the expansion of its hit Virtual Class Program, featuring a brand new schedule packed with exclusive behind-the-scenes tutorials, lessons in all-new styles including tap and soft-shoe, and expanded offerings of its most popular classes.

Due to popular demand, Smuin Contemporary Ballet has extended its drop-in classes for aspiring, retired, and professional dancers as Shelter-in-Place continues. All classes are a?oepay if and what you can,a?? and students are invited to try one class, sample a variety of styles, or enroll for a seriesa?"including newly announced Musical Theater dance classes with Emmy Award-winning choreographer Weston Krukow.

As Shelter-in-Place continues, Smuin Contemporary Ballet offers aspiring, retired, and professional dancers the chance of a lifetime to dance along with the company's world-class artists and instructors in the comfort of their own home.

Smuin concludes its quarter-century celebration with a tribute to founder Michael Smuin and his vibrant works set to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, Peggy Lee, Nat King Cole, and others. The Best of Smuin will feature the return of timeless favorites such as the red-hot chair solo "Fever," along with highlights from Dancin' With Gershwin and more. Sharing the bill is the smashing world premiere of "Renaissance" by master dancemaker Amy Seiwert, honoring Michael's legacy as an innovator in ballet, dance, and beyond.

Smuin makes the holidays sizzle with its annual yuletide celebration of dance, The Christmas Ballet. With a stunning and original array of ballet, tap, and jazz, this joyous showcase of styles offers both sugar and spice, with the surprise unwrapping of new treats every year. The 2017 edition of The Christmas Ballet features three saucy world premieres one by acclaimed Choreographer-in-Residence Amy Seiwert, another created by Smuin dancer Rex Wheeler, and a debut number choreographed by dancer Erica Felsch. An exuberant holiday treat that was declared the finest toast to the season by the San Francisco Chronicle last year, The Christmas Ballet will tour the Bay Area, beginning with shows in Walnut Creek (November 17-18), continuing in Carmel (December 1-2) and Mountain View (December 6-10), and wrapping up with its annual holiday run at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco (December 14-24). Tickets ($25-$89) are available by calling the individual venues (see below for details) or visiting www.smuinballet.org.

While 'visions of sugarplums' may appear fantastical, Artistic Director Michael Pink presents these marvelous performance delights for the city this December. Under Pink's direction and choreography, The Milwaukee Ballet presents Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker for another holiday season. While Pink's revisions have created treasured memories for the past decade during his tenure, various other versions along with live music from the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra have transformed the ballet into reality in Milwaukee for almost 40 years.