BALLET HISPANICO CAPTURES AUDIENCES YOUNG AND OLD

More than 7,600 patrons engaged in performances, activities, and workshops surrounding Ballet Hispanico’s performances of Palladium Suite and ¡Viva las Americas! January 10-12.  Ballet Hispanico kicked off Saturday evening with a Latin dance party at Cinema Ballroom. More than 170 patrons attended the event where they took salsa lessons with company members, showed off their moves, watched company members perform, and may have even caught a dance with one of them.

More than 6,100 students and educators attended the Ballet Hispanicomatinee performances of Palladium Suite and ¡Viva las Americas! through the Performing Arts Classroom Series.  Students in grades seven through twelve were clapping to the beat as they watched Palladium Suite, a performance that revisited the heart of New York’s vibrant 1950’s jazz scene and the culture and popularity of the mambo, the cha cha, and the merengue in one of the country’s first integrated night clubs.  Students in kindergarten through sixth grade traced the evolution of Latin American culture through dance with the ¡Viva las Americas! performance which showcased folkloric dances, music, and costumes from Mexico, Puerto Rico, and more.

More than 1,300 patrons attended the public performance of Ballet Hispanico which featured two pieces, Palladium Suite and Ritmo y Ruido.  The pre-show Ordway Extra was lead by Manuel Rubio, a local Latin social dancer and teacher. He gave background to Latin social dance, the music accompanying the various dances, and the importance of Latin dance during the Palladium era. Immediately following the performance, the company returned to the stage for a Q&A with Artistic Director, Tina Ramirez.

To celebrate the evening performance, members of dance, Latin jazz, and Latino communities were invited to enjoy drinks and appetizers at a post performance party, while mingling and dancing with Tina Ramirez and the thirteen members of Ballet Hispanico. Music was provided by DJ William “El Buenon”.

SCHOOL TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR JAKE SHIMABUKURO ON MAR 11

Recognized as one of the world’s leading ukulele players, Jake Shimabukuro defies the notion that the ukulele is only capable of traditional Hawaiian music.  Jake crosses musical genres as he amazes audiences with his revolutionary playing techniques and lightning fast fingers through jazz, blues, funk, classical, bluegrass, folk, flamenco, and rock. 

Space is still available in the 10:30am and 12:30pm performances.  Please call Erin Gomach at 651-282-3135 with any questions or to place your order.

ORDWAY CENTER RECEIVES WALLACE EXCELLENCE AWARD

Ordway Center has received the prestigious Wallace Excellence Award (WEA).  The Wallace Foundation’s goal is to develop, test and share effective ways to build audiences and enhance participation in the arts, and the WEA is its primary instrument for achieving that goal.  Ordway Center will use the award for a new program titled Campus Connections.  The goal of the program is to increase Ordway Center attendance and connections with college campuses and students. 

EDUCATION AT ORDWAY CENTER WELCOMES NEW INTERNS

Maia Horsager, Evaluation Intern, is currently a senior at St.Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. She will be graduating in May with a major in Spanish and an individualized major titled "Children, Society, and Aesthetics." She has always enjoyed the arts, particularly singing, dancing and theater. She sings with the St. Olaf Chapel Choir and will be dancing at the American Collegiate Dance Festival at the U of M this spring in a student choreographed piece.

Megan Torkelson, Education Intern, is a graduate of Luther College in Decorah, Iowa with a degree in music and music education.  She spent the last two years teaching vocal music in Manchester, Iowa.  Megan is currently attending St. Mary's University in Minneapolis, Minn. seeking a master's degree in Arts and Cultural Management.  She got married in June and moved to Minneapolis with her husband.  She is happy to be living here and excited to be working at the Ordway!

OPPORTUNITIES AT THE CANVAS, THE FIRST ARTS- BASED CENTER RUN FOR TEENS BY TEENS

Education and Community Engagement recently reconnected with The Saint Paul Second Shift Youth Commission, which is a place for young people in Saint Paul to have a voice at city hall! Youth Commissioners work alongside other youth and adults in city government and in the community to solve community issues and make Saint Paul the most livable city in America. Currently, they are organizing to open The Canvas, the city's first arts-based center run by and for teens. The Canvas will be located at Hancock Recreation Center and will be a space for teens to paint, sculpt, draw, dance, hang out, and more! 

The Saint Paul Second Shift Youth Commission is looking for youth leaders and artists to get involved as they make renovations and create programming. For more information please contact Phil Rooney at phil.rooney@ci.stpaul.mn.us or visit http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/index.asp?NID=391