Michael Smuin News

Smuin Contemporary Ballet continues to develop novel ways of sharing inspiring art and staying connected with its community during the Shelter-in-Place order, beginning with its new Hump Day Ballets series. Every Wednesday through the month of April, a different ballet from Smuin's repertoire, curated by a current Company dancer, will be released to the public.

In this time of social distancing and remaining responsibly indoors, we are all looking for ways to brighten our days and get moving any way we can!

Smuin Contemporary Ballet's groundbreaking spring program will introduce the Bay Area to internationally renowned Cuban choreographer Osnel Delgado, with the thrilling World Premiere of S-Quimera, combining flawless contemporary dance with Afro-Cuban and Latin social dances to create a piece truly unique to Smuin.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet's groundbreaking spring program will introduce the Bay Area to internationally renowned Cuban choreographer Osnel Delgado, with a thrilling World Premiere that combines flawless contemporary dance with Afro-Cuban and Latin social dances, creating a piece truly unique to Smuin. Co-founder and Artistic Director of Havana's Malpaso Dance Company, an Associate Company of Joyce Theater Productions, Delgado's movement offers up passion, intricate musicality, and an exploration of relationships that transcend borders. Also on the program, back by popular demand, is Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's Requiem for a Rose, a captivating ballet set to one of Schubert's most romantic adagios. Lopez Ochoa, introduced to the Bay Area by Smuin in 2017, was inspired by her reflection on the meaning of true love and fleeting romance in creating this sublime work, which the San Francisco Classical Voice declared a?oeperfection!a?? Rounding out the bill is Symphony of Psalms, Michael Smuin's spiritually evocative piece set to the dramatic Stravinsky score of the same name.

The Board of the Museum of Performance + Design takes great pleasure in announcing that San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson will be presented with the 2020 San Francisco Arts Medallion for his outstanding leadership in the arts on April 23, 2020, at Saint Joseph's Arts Society in San Francisco. The San Francisco Arts Medallion was created in 2005 by the Museum of Performance + Design (MP+D) to recognize those individuals whose leadership, action, and generosity have benefited the cultural life of the San Francisco Bay Area. Proceeds from the event benefit the preservation and educational programs at MP+D.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet celebrates its 26th season with Smuin's Annual Gala, hosted by co-chairs Patti and Jerry Hume and Athena and John Konstin, along with Smuin's Board of Trustees and Friends of Smuin committee. Arts, community, philanthropic, and civicleaders of San Francisco will mingle with Smuin artists at this fabulous fête featuring a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner catered by McCall's, world class wines from Napa Valley's Grgich Hills Estate, and performances by Smuin's exquisite dancers.

Ahead of opening the 59th annual production of The Nutcracker on Nov. 30, Colorado Ballet announces the promotion of four Corps de Ballet Dancers:

Smuin kicks off the holidays with the welcome return of The Christmas Ballet, a program featuring two acts packed to the brim with both breathtaking classical ballet and festive contemporary numbers. The beloved Bay Area tradition will bring back time-honored favorites and unveil brand new surprises set to holiday tunes and incorporating ballet, tap, jazz, and swing.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet comes to Mountain View with Dance Series 1, a stunning program featuring three extraordinary works by established and rising choreographers. The music of country icon Johnny Cash comes alive in The Man in Black, an acclaimed work for three men and a woman, danced in cowboy boots.

Smuin kicks off the holidays with the welcome return of The Christmas Ballet, a program featuring two acts packed to the brim with both breathtaking classical ballet and festive contemporary numbers. The beloved Bay Area tradition will bring back time-honored favorites and unveil brand new surprises set to holiday tunes and incorporating ballet, tap, jazz, and swing. The first act, Classical Christmas, features dancers costumed in snow-white ensembles performing flawless ballets celebrating the holiday season. The Cool Christmas second act brings a red-hot costume change along with a medley of lively modern numbers, including the iconic a?oeSanta Babya?? featuring a 42-foot long feather boa. a?oeSheer joya??the finest toast to the season,a?? declared the San Francisco Chronicle. The Christmas Ballet will tour the Bay Area, beginning with shows in Walnut Creek (November 22-23), continuing in Mountain View (November 29-December 1), San Francisco (December 12-23), and finishing up after Christmas in Carmel (December 28-29). Tickets ($25-$97) are available by calling the individual venues (see below for details) or visiting www.smuinballet.org.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet launches its 26th season with Dance Series 1, a fall program featuring three extraordinary works by established and rising choreographers. The music of country icon Johnny Cash comes alive in The Man in Black, an acclaimed work for three men and a woman, danced in cowboy boots.

Luminario Ballet (Judith FLEX Helle, Managing and Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the Company's 2019 Gala Fundraiser, Gala Bacchanal. This one-night-only event, honoring Emmy Award-winning choreographer Anita Mann for her Lifetime Achievement and Influence in Choreography, will take place on Saturday, November 16, 2019 from 5:30 p.m. a?' 9:30 p.m., at the Beverly Hills Women's Club (1700 Chevy Chase Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210). 

Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim,presents Ballet West: Balanchine's Ballets Russes Le Chant du Rossignol andApollo on Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 3pm & 7:30pm.

Words On Dance returns to the New York stage with two evenings featuring conversations with luminaries of dance, theater and film. The programs, Oct. 21 and Nov. 11, are presented in association with Symphony Space, the performing arts center at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street.

Smuin Contemporary Ballet launches its 26th season with Dance Series 1, a fall program featuring three extraordinary works by established and rising choreographers.

Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for theatre, is pleased to announce the recipients of The Willa Kim Costume Design Scholarship 2019. Administered by TCG with support from The Estate of Willa Kim, the Scholarship provides exceptionally talented costume designers who are enrolled in a university or professional training program with the opportunity to supplement their fine arts training in hand-drawing and painting. The Scholarship honors costume designer Willa Kim's legacy and her life's work as a pioneer, legend, and inspiration for many of today's theatre artists.

Following a record-breaking 25th anniversary, Smuin returns with a stellar lineup for its 2019/20 season featuring a vivid ballet set to the iconic music of Johnny Cash, a world premiere by Cuban trailblazer Osnel Delgado, and the return of sensational works by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Michael Smuin, plus a showcase of works created by Smuin dancers.

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 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.

Leaders in the arts and civic communities came together at The Galleria in San Francisco for the spectacular silver anniversary celebration of Smuin Contemporary Ballet, one of the nation's preeminent dance companies.