New York-based Ballet Hispánico is the largest Latino cultural organization in the United States. Through innovative dance productions, transformative dance training, and community engagement, the company explores and celebrates Latino cultures.
On Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in UGA’s Fine Arts Theatre, they’ll make their UGA Presents debut during Hispanic Heritage Month with a mixed program of selections from their long and vibrant history.
Recognized for her achievements by the National Medal of Arts, the nation’s highest cultural honor, Tina Ramirez founded Ballet Hispánico in 1970. From its grassroots origins as a dance school and community-based performing arts troupe, the organization has grown into a world-class institution. Ballet Hispánico’s New York City headquarters houses a School of Dance and state-of-the-art dance studios for its programs and the arts community.
In August 2009, Ballet Hispánico welcomed Eduardo Vilaro as its artistic director. A former member of the Ballet Hispánico Company, Vilaro founded and led Chicago’s Luna Negra Dance Theater for a decade. Vilaro’s background in dance education and community outreach allows him to build on the company’s founding values and lead Ballet Hispánico into an artistically vibrant future.
The company’s varied Athens program includes Linea Recta—Straight Line—a ballet by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. She takes the powerful, fiercely independent spirit of flamenco and blends it with traditional ensemble and partner dancing. When the piece premiered at New York’s Apollo Theater in 2016, the New York Times called it “fluent, expert and elegant.”
After Ballet Hispánico, there’s more dance on the UGA Presents season. A Celtic Family Christmas with Nathalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy at Hodgson Concert Hall Dec. 6 will include children step dancing, and the Dance Theatre of Harlem comes to the Fine Arts Theatre on Jan. 27.
Join audiences for a free pre-performance talk by Eduardo Vilaro in Fine Arts Building Room 201 from 6:45-7:15 p.m.
This performance is supported by Laura W. Carter.
Three ways to get tickets
- Purchase tickets online at pac.uga.edu.
- Call the Performing Arts Center box office at 706-542-4400, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Visit the UGA Performing Arts Center box office, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (five-minute parking is available in the drop off circle at the Performing Arts Center for purchasing or picking up tickets.)
Single tickets begin at $25, and UGA student tickets are just $10. Parking is free.
To learn more about all UGA Performing Arts Center events, visit pac.uga.edu.
