Beauty of MetroParks highlighted in choreography

ballet western reserve

The annual outdoor event is Thursday.

vindicator staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — Ballet Western Reserve is taking a playful approach to this year’s Enchanted Evening at the Gardens.

The annual outdoor event will be Thursday at Fellows Riverside Gardens. It will celebrate the beauty in each of the properties of Mill Creek MetroParks.

The theme will be “Tour the Beauty — 20 years of Mill Creek MetroParks Celebrated in Dance.” Each of the choreographers has chosen one of the MetroParks properties and has created a dance to honor it. Featured are: Mill Creek Park, McGuffey Wildlife Preserve, MetroParks Farm, MetroParks Bikeway, Fellows Riverside Gardens, Buckeye Horse Park and Yellow Creek Park.

“The choreographers are having fun with this show,” said Richard Dickinson, artistic director of BWR. “Imagine choreographing about a horse park or the MetroParks Farm. One of our choreographers has a tap dancing cow, and a swing-dancing horse, pig and chick. How much fun is that?”

Enchanted Evening, sponsored by BWR and Friends of Fellows Riverside Gardens, will begin at 6 p.m. with wine and hors d’oeuvres. The performance by BWR dancers will begin at 7 p.m. Dessert and champagne, with music by jazz pianist Gary Kekel, will bring the evening to a close.

Tickets are $35. The Elegant Raffle will take place, featuring clothing from fashion designer Nanette Lepore’s collection, a “Nutcracker” ballet ticket package, a football autographed by Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel, and other items.

A special preview of Enchanted Evening designed for children and their guests will begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Sneak Peek at the Gardens will include a performance and a petting zoo. It will begin with a tour of Fellows Riverside Gardens and visits with some of the choreographers who will teach children the dance steps from the show.

All of the performances are underwritten by Jeff and Kimberly Simon.