Ballet school to premiere rock dance show
Staff wire
Youngstown
If you thought ballet dancers could be inspired only by classical music, think again.
On April 5, Ballet Western Reserve will present “Rock the Ballet,” a dance performance set to music by Queen, Lenny Kravitz, Donnie Iris and the Cruisers, Queensryche and more.
It will start at 7 p.m. at the Tyler History Center, 325 W. Federal St., downtown.
The event will replace Building Art, the fundraiser BWR had for the past four years.
“Rock the Ballet” will feature BWR dancers along with guest artists from Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Youngstown performing original pieces choreographed by BWR faculty, guest choreographer Jamie Erin Murphy (faculty member with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and director of The Murphy/Smith Dance Project) and Travis Manero (director and professional dancer with Fred Astaire Youngstown).
Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided by downtown restaurant Warehouse 50. A silent auction will feature fashion pieces by New York City designer (and Youngstown native) Nanette Lepore, unique items from Soul Custom, YSU football tickets, guitar lessons and more.
Tickets to “Rock the Ballet” are $20 ($15 dollars for children) and can be purchased by calling BWR at 330-744-1934.
Ballet Western Reserve offers more than a dozen financial scholarships each year to children who have difficulty pursuing their passion for dance. The school relies on events such as this one to make that possible.
“Rock the Ballet” is underwritten by the Morris and Esther Simon Family Philanthropic Fund. Other support has been provided by Harley-Davidson Biketown in Austintown, Soul Customs, The Tyler History Center and private donations.