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Paloma Herrera on the Today Show

For anyone who missed ABT Principal Paloma Herrera on the Today Show on June 19, here's a little snippet:


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tags Ballet, Enthusiast, ABT, American Ballet Theatre, Paloma Herrera (all tags)

ABT's Nina Ananiashvili Shines as Giselle

Last night I had the privilege and pleasure of seeing American Ballet Theatre's Nina Ananiashvili perform one of her final performances of "Giselle" at the Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center. She will perform her last performance on June 27 before retiring from the stage.

No ballet company pulls off the classics quite like ABT. From the youngest members of the corps de ballet to the senior principal dancers, ABT manages to fully embody 19th century style while simultaneously possessing 21st century mastery. They are artists as well as technicians, something you rarely see anymore. During "Giselle," which premiered originally in Paris in 1841, I temporarily forgot about things like email and Facebook, and found myself lost in the classic story of betrayal, heartbreak, revenge and forgiveness.

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tags Ballet, Enthusiast, Performance, ABT, American Ballet Theatre, Nina Ananiashvili (all tags)

AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE'S 2009 SPRING SEASON

CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR FIFTH AND SIXTH WEEKS
OF AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE'S 2009 SPRING SEASON
AT METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE

Revival Premieres of Paul Taylor's Airs and August Bournonville's La Sylphide
Scheduled for Monday, June 15, at 7:30 p.m.

Nina Ananiashvili to Give Final Performance
with ABT on Saturday, June 27 at 8:00 p.m.

Casting for the fifth and sixth weeks of American Ballet Theatre's 2009 Spring Season at the Metropolitan Opera House was announced today by Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

The Revival Premiere of Paul Taylor's Airs will take place on Monday, June 15 at 7:30 p.m.  The ballet, set to music by George Frederic Handel, with designs by Gene Moore and lighting by Jennifer Tipton, received its World Premiere by the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1978 and its ABT Company Premiere in 1981. Airs, last performed by ABT in 1999, was staged for the Company by Susan McGuire.  Airs is generously supported by a gift from Marjorie S. Isaac in honor of ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie.

More information after the jump!

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tags Ballet, Enthusiast, Performance, ABT, American Ballet Theatre (all tags)

Michelle Obama to Attend ABT's Opening Night Gala!

FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA TO ATTEND OPENING NIGHT GALA AT AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE MONDAY, MAY 18 AT METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE

First Lady Michelle Obama will attend American Ballet Theatre's Opening Night Gala on Monday evening, May 18 at the Metropolitan Opera House.  Mrs. Obama and President Barack Obama are Honorary Chairmen of ABT's 2009 Spring Gala.

American Ballet Theatre's Opening Night Gala, which begins at 6:30 P.M., kicks off the Company's eight week season at the Metropolitan Opera House and features ABT's Principal Dancers in highlights from the season, a special guest appearance by jazz pianist Herbie Hancock and a performance by the students of the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School at American Ballet Theatre.            

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tags Ballet, Enthusiast, Performance, ABT, American Ballet Theatre, Michelle Obama, Politics (all tags)

The Obamas to Serve as Honorary Chairmen of ABT's 2009 Spring Gala

Just received the following press release from ABT and thought it was definitely worth posting:

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND MRS. MICHELLE OBAMA TO SERVE  AS HONORARY CHAIRMEN OF AMERICAN BALLET THEATRE'S 2009 SPRING GALA, MONDAY EVENING, MAY 18, 6:30 P.M. AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE

EVENING TO INCLUDE SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE BY JAZZ ICON HERBIE HANCOCK AND A PIECE D'OCCASION FOR NINA ANANIASHVILI CHOREOGRAPHED BY ALEXEI RATMANSKY

More information after the jump!

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tags Ballet, Enthusiast, Performance, ABT, American Ballet Theatre, Barack Obama, Politics, Pop Culture (all tags)