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

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.”

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.

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 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.