Friday, November 10th at 8:00 PM
Saturday, November 11 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
at the Marjorie Luke Theatre
The Dancers
Featuring returning guest artists
Carlos Fittante and Juliana Bertelsen
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Colleen Bialas
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Ian Vincent McGinnis
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Eduardo Cueto
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Christina Sanchez
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Nicole Helton
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Denise Woods
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and introducing Daniel Whitehead
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The Program
Down Town Time
(World Premiere)
Choreographed in collaboration
by Melinda Horwitz and Carrie Diamond
Music: Concerto by Kenji Bunch
Danced by the Company
Eduardo Cueto and Nicole Helton in Down Town Time
Photo: ©2006 David Bazemore
This offbeat contemporary work was created in a process that is unusual for a ballet
company. Melinda Horwitz and Carrie Diamond collaborated not only with each other
but with the dancers, who created most of the movement. The result is an intriguing
dance that is both tightly constructed and spontaneous, in which each dancer shows
off their abilities to their best advantage. It was choreographed to Kenji Bunch’s
exuberant Concerto
Slowdance
(World Premiere)
Choreographed by Melinda Horwitz
Music: Slowdance by Kenji Bunch
Colleen Bialas, Ian Vincent McGinnis, Christina Sanchez
Christina Sanchez and Ian Vincent McGinnis in Melinda Horwitz's Slowdance
Photo: ©2006 David Bazemore
First performed in November, 2006, this contemporary work explores the recollections
of an intimate relationship and what might have been, set to music by Kenji Bunch.
Horwitz comments, “With [Mr. Bunch's] Slowdance, I explore contemporary
relationships including unrequited love and the absence of physical communication.”
Folia — A Baroque Pageant
(West Coast Premiere)
Choreographed and Danced by Carlos Fittante
Music: La Folia by Antonio Vivaldi after Arcangelo
Corelli
Costume: Bonnie Kruger after a 17th century rendering
Mask: Jane Stein
Carlos Fittante fencing in his Folia
Photo: ©2006 David Bazemore
Following the success of his Amantes on BSB's debut performances, Carlos
Fittante has developed a Baroque solo especially for Ballet Santa Barbara. The word
Folia means “wild amusement” in Portuguese and refers to a boisterous shepherds'
song and dance that originated in the 15th century on the Iberian Peninsula. Originally
an improvisational form, Folia evolved into a stately musical composition
with a set harmonic progression in order to facilitate virtuosic melodic displays.
It was standard practice in the Baroque era for a male courtier to be schooled in
the arts of dancing, acting, fencing, as well as play a musical instrument, not
to mention that a gentlemen could wear a stylish tonnelet (hooped short skirt),
and use a fan.
Terra Incognita
(Sometimes the most unrecognizable terrain is found
in the most familiar people and places…)
Choreography: Carrie Diamond
Music: Selected Mazurkas by Frederick Chopin
Performed by Eric Valinsky
Costumes:
Ann Bruice
Colleen Bialas, Eduardo Cueto
Nicole Helton, Denise Woods
and a special appearance by Juliana Bertelsen
Eric Valinsky, Denise Woods, and Nicole Helton in Terra Incognita
Photo: ©2006 David Bazemore
A work for 5 dancers, including a guest appearance by the popular Santa Barbara
dancer Juliana Bertelson, was choreographed by artistic director
Carrie Diamond and set to Mazurkas by Frederic Chopin,
performed live by music director Eric Valinsky. In this satiric
ballet, a couple confronts manipulation, betrayal, and finally affirmation in a
work that combines classical and contemporary styles.
Frames
(West Coast Premiere)
Choreography: Benjamin Harkarvy
Music: Fantasy Variations No. 2 for clarinet, 'cello, and piano
by Eric Valinsky
Christina Sanchez — Carlos Fittante
Christina Sanchez and Carlos Fittante in Harkarvy's Frames
Photo: ©2006 David Bazemore
Frames is a penetrating look at the intimacies of the strong and trusting bonds
between a man and a woman. Mr. Fittante will be recreating his role in this duet,
originally created for him and Carrie Diamond, Artistic Director of BSB, and performed
by New American Ballet Ensemble in New York City.
Sueños Castellanos
(West Coast Premiere)
Choreography: Carrie Diamond
Music: Concerto for Harpsichord by Manuel De Falla
Costumes: Jana Rosenblatt
Colleen Bialas, Nicole Helton, Daniel Whitehead, Denise Woods
Featuring
Juliana Bertelsen, Eduardo Cueto, and Christina Sanchez
The company in Carrie Diamond's Sueños Castellanos
Photo: ©2006 David Bazemore
Sueños Castellanos, originally choreographed by Carrie Diamond
for the New American Ballet Ensemble, blends the striking formality
of the neo-classical style with the intense sensuality of Spanish dance. In three
movements, it is a joyous celebration of life and dance that showcases the company.
The lenghty middle movement is a poignant, dreamlike memory of love and loss.