While the holiday season is usually all about The Nutcracker around here, Tulsa Ballet also finds ways to give back to our community during this special time. This year, the company is partnering with the Salvation Army to bring holiday cheer to Tulsans in need.
Tulsa Ballet Toy Drive: Bring a new, unwrapped toy to Tulsa Ballet's Brookside facility now through December 10 and receive a "Ballet Buck," good towards all holiday and ballet merchandise in our store.
Red Kettle: Join us at the PAC before performances of The Nutcracker on December 17-20, step up to the big Red Kettle and donate your spare change to help those in need.
We thank you for helping us partner with the Salvation Army!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Experience the fun part of rehearsal process, Tulsa Ballet
Tulsa Ballet dancer Ricardo Graziano is practicing a solo from Nacho Duato's Gnawa in Tulsa Ballet 2008-2009 season.
Many people are wondering what dancers have to do during the rehearsal process. Well, of course we have to get all the steps correct, musicality correct, stage formations correct, feelings and motions correct, but sometime we also have fun! As you can see in the video, dancers really enjoyed watching Ricardo's hip move in Brazilian style!
There are much fun more than you can imagine, so whenever you get a chance, get arranged to come to see us!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Part-Time Pianists Wanted!
Who: Pianists wanting to explore the world of ballet and dance accompaniment. Applicants must have 5 years piano experience, preferably in the classical study.
What: Providing accompaniment for pre-professional ballet classes at Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education. No ballet accompaniment experience necessary, training will be provided.
When: Weekday afternoons and evenings and Saturday mornings. Hours are flexible and great for college students and teachers.
Where: Tulsa Ballet, 1212 E. 45th Pl. Tulsa OK 74105
Contact: Andrew Lahti at 918.749.6030 ext. 266 or andrew.lahti@tulsaballet.org
What: Providing accompaniment for pre-professional ballet classes at Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education. No ballet accompaniment experience necessary, training will be provided.
When: Weekday afternoons and evenings and Saturday mornings. Hours are flexible and great for college students and teachers.
Where: Tulsa Ballet, 1212 E. 45th Pl. Tulsa OK 74105
Contact: Andrew Lahti at 918.749.6030 ext. 266 or andrew.lahti@tulsaballet.org
Arts Advocacy (and breakfast) in Tulsa
On Thursday morning, the CEO of The United States' leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, Americans for the Arts, had breakfast in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Robert Lynch was in town for the induction of Ken Ferguson into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Ken Ferguson is a banker from Altus, OK who has become a huge supporter and advocate for the arts in Oklahoma. Mr. Ferguson serves as the national treasurer for Americans for the Arts.
Most of us are no strangers to the importance of arts advocacy in today's society, especially in today's economic climate. As most non-profit organizations struggle to receive funding from the corporate and government sector, it becomes more important than ever for us to carry the torch for the arts and the need for its support on all levels. I was fortunate enough to join Mr. Lynch and Ken Ferguson for breakfast (downtown at the Chalkboard Restaurant) along with seven other advocates for the arts in Tulsa, OK: Rich Fisher (from Public Radio Tulsa), Linda Frazier (representing Tulsa Symphony Orchestra), James Watts (from the Tulsa World), Elizabeth Geer (representing Tulsa Opera) , Edith Wilson and Ken Busby (representing the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa) along with one of Tulsa's biggest arts advocates, Nancy Feldman.
After we had all been seated for just a few minutes, Ken Busby returned to our table with Tulsa's new mayor elect, Dewey Bartlett Jr, who was also having breakfast at the restaurant. Of course, as any politician would do with a captive audience, Mr. Bartlett proclaimed the importance of the arts in Tulsa and said that he is looking forward to serving the community, etc. At one point, Ken Ferguson told Mr. Bartlett that we would love to see him go down in history as the mayor that did the most for the arts in Tulsa. Indeed, we would all love for that to be the case and wish him the best.
Perhaps the most interesting thing that we all learned from hearing Mr. Lynch speak about his work in arts advocacy was that it only takes a few emails to sway your local congressman's decision on a particular topic that might be facing a vote. The revealing number was 10! It only takes 10 emails from constituents to be considered a landslide victory for influencing a particular vote. That is not to say that it happens every time, but more often than not a congressman will be influenced by as little as 10 emails when faced with a decision. For basically all of us at the table, that was a huge revelation! Just think about how many arts supporters we have amongst us with regard to board members, staff members, volunteers and patrons. If each of use were to just take 2 minutes to send a note to our representatives when key issues involving the arts are being brought to the floor, we could become a major force with seeing increased support for the arts and arts education- which are vital to our future as Americans--and especially Oklahomans.
Let's All Get Involved
Encourage your friends, colleagues and fellow board members to join the Arts Advocacy Fund through Americans for the Arts. Membership is FREE and it gives you access to all kinds of easy tools to communicate with our national and local legislators as well as the media. Also, lots of helpful information and statistics about the cultural and economic benefits of having a vibrant arts community.
So, as each of us learned the other morning, it's very easy to make a difference. 2 minutes is all it takes to ensure that our voice is heard and that arts will continue to thrive in Tulsa, making it one of the best places in the world to live, work, play and raise a family. Don't you think Tulsa deserves the very best?
Most of us are no strangers to the importance of arts advocacy in today's society, especially in today's economic climate. As most non-profit organizations struggle to receive funding from the corporate and government sector, it becomes more important than ever for us to carry the torch for the arts and the need for its support on all levels. I was fortunate enough to join Mr. Lynch and Ken Ferguson for breakfast (downtown at the Chalkboard Restaurant) along with seven other advocates for the arts in Tulsa, OK: Rich Fisher (from Public Radio Tulsa), Linda Frazier (representing Tulsa Symphony Orchestra), James Watts (from the Tulsa World), Elizabeth Geer (representing Tulsa Opera) , Edith Wilson and Ken Busby (representing the Arts and Humanities Council of Tulsa) along with one of Tulsa's biggest arts advocates, Nancy Feldman.
After we had all been seated for just a few minutes, Ken Busby returned to our table with Tulsa's new mayor elect, Dewey Bartlett Jr, who was also having breakfast at the restaurant. Of course, as any politician would do with a captive audience, Mr. Bartlett proclaimed the importance of the arts in Tulsa and said that he is looking forward to serving the community, etc. At one point, Ken Ferguson told Mr. Bartlett that we would love to see him go down in history as the mayor that did the most for the arts in Tulsa. Indeed, we would all love for that to be the case and wish him the best.
Perhaps the most interesting thing that we all learned from hearing Mr. Lynch speak about his work in arts advocacy was that it only takes a few emails to sway your local congressman's decision on a particular topic that might be facing a vote. The revealing number was 10! It only takes 10 emails from constituents to be considered a landslide victory for influencing a particular vote. That is not to say that it happens every time, but more often than not a congressman will be influenced by as little as 10 emails when faced with a decision. For basically all of us at the table, that was a huge revelation! Just think about how many arts supporters we have amongst us with regard to board members, staff members, volunteers and patrons. If each of use were to just take 2 minutes to send a note to our representatives when key issues involving the arts are being brought to the floor, we could become a major force with seeing increased support for the arts and arts education- which are vital to our future as Americans--and especially Oklahomans.
Let's All Get Involved
Encourage your friends, colleagues and fellow board members to join the Arts Advocacy Fund through Americans for the Arts. Membership is FREE and it gives you access to all kinds of easy tools to communicate with our national and local legislators as well as the media. Also, lots of helpful information and statistics about the cultural and economic benefits of having a vibrant arts community.
So, as each of us learned the other morning, it's very easy to make a difference. 2 minutes is all it takes to ensure that our voice is heard and that arts will continue to thrive in Tulsa, making it one of the best places in the world to live, work, play and raise a family. Don't you think Tulsa deserves the very best?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The verdict is in..... this year’s Tulsa Ballet Winter Celebration Gala
will be more FUN than its inaugural performance last year.
We have a rich menu of works that will include the Oklahoma premiere of Ma Cong’s Luscious, a work that you will only be able to see at Winter Celebration. Ma created this work for Ballet Iowa last season and is happy to share it with his audience here in Tulsa. We’ll have an excerpt from Dracula, of course revisited…and a competition that the audience will be judging. We’ll have a short preview of the new Edwaard Liang work that will see its World Premiere in April in Studio K and, of course the Snow Scene from The Nutty Nutcracker. And, we also hear that two of our Principal male dancers will debut as choreographers. Alfonso and Yi have joined forces to create their first-ever short ballet. Don’t tell Ma Cong, but he is the star. We hear the music might include the theme from the movie Rocky among others, that there is some weight-lifting included in the “World Premiere” and that the title of the work might be Revenge!
What is all this about???? Join us December 3 at 7 pm and find out!
Performance tickets are limited and selling quickly. If you haven’t done so yet, call Carrie in our box office and reserve your tickets to an evening of great fun, remarkable entertainment and phenomenal dancing!
will be more FUN than its inaugural performance last year.
We have a rich menu of works that will include the Oklahoma premiere of Ma Cong’s Luscious, a work that you will only be able to see at Winter Celebration. Ma created this work for Ballet Iowa last season and is happy to share it with his audience here in Tulsa. We’ll have an excerpt from Dracula, of course revisited…and a competition that the audience will be judging. We’ll have a short preview of the new Edwaard Liang work that will see its World Premiere in April in Studio K and, of course the Snow Scene from The Nutty Nutcracker. And, we also hear that two of our Principal male dancers will debut as choreographers. Alfonso and Yi have joined forces to create their first-ever short ballet. Don’t tell Ma Cong, but he is the star. We hear the music might include the theme from the movie Rocky among others, that there is some weight-lifting included in the “World Premiere” and that the title of the work might be Revenge!
What is all this about???? Join us December 3 at 7 pm and find out!
Performance tickets are limited and selling quickly. If you haven’t done so yet, call Carrie in our box office and reserve your tickets to an evening of great fun, remarkable entertainment and phenomenal dancing!
Team work!
Dear Tulsa Ballet Friends,
Our next production "Winter Celebration" is on its way, we started working on it last week. It's going to be a very exciting team work, you will experience everything you would like to see, it will be a fun, enjoyable, exciting evening! We hope you come and join us for this special event!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Tulsa Ballet receives Community Collaboration Award from the Mental Health Association in Tulsa
On Thursday evening, November 5, I had the honor of attending the Mental Health Association in Tulsa's 2009 Annual Awards Celebration along with Tulsa Ballet's current board President, Jackie Kouri. The event was held at the Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital Conference Center in Tulsa. Tulsa Ballet was one of 25 recipients who were honored with the Community Collaboration Award, given to local organizations that partner with the Mental Health Assoc. on a regular basis to help fulfill its mission of: promoting mental health, preventing mental disorders and achieving victory over mental illnesses through advocacy, education, research, service and housing. Tulsa Ballet works with the Mental Association through our Hope For the Holidays program and Partners in Art.
In case you aren't familiar with these programs, Hope For the Holidays is an annual event that provides complimentary tickets to over 2,000 social service clients, allowing them the chance to experience Tulsa Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker. It's an evening in which over 40 community agencies are able to experience the magic of the holidays through the arts, thanks to the support of several local sponsors and individuals. The Mental Health Association in Tulsa is one of the groups that regularly attends. The other program that Tulsa Ballet offers, Partners in Art, allows area social service clients the opportunity to watch the final dress rehearsal of a Tulsa Ballet production at no cost, thanks again to the support of local foundations, corporations and individuals.
Thank you to the Mental Health Association in Tulsa for recognizing Tulsa Ballet as one of your community partners. We are honored to receive one of the 2009 Community Collaboration Awards.
In case you aren't familiar with these programs, Hope For the Holidays is an annual event that provides complimentary tickets to over 2,000 social service clients, allowing them the chance to experience Tulsa Ballet's annual production of The Nutcracker. It's an evening in which over 40 community agencies are able to experience the magic of the holidays through the arts, thanks to the support of several local sponsors and individuals. The Mental Health Association in Tulsa is one of the groups that regularly attends. The other program that Tulsa Ballet offers, Partners in Art, allows area social service clients the opportunity to watch the final dress rehearsal of a Tulsa Ballet production at no cost, thanks again to the support of local foundations, corporations and individuals.
Thank you to the Mental Health Association in Tulsa for recognizing Tulsa Ballet as one of your community partners. We are honored to receive one of the 2009 Community Collaboration Awards.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Where in the World is Ma Cong?
You may have noticed Ma Cong was suspiciously absent from all seven performances of Dracula. His absence had some worried that he had left Tulsa! Never fear, loyal fans, our Ma is back in the studios this week preparing for The Nutcracker and Winter Celebration. He spent the last month setting a new ballet on Houston Ballet II. A few years ago, Dance Magazine named Ma one of 25 to watch – and boy were they right. His career as a choreographer has really taken off. So now, in addition to flying across the country (and beyond) to guest as a dancer, he has a full schedule of choreographing and setting works on other companies as well. I’m not going to go into his resume (you can read it here), but I will direct you to Ma’s YouTube channel where he posts video of many of his creations.
Ma’s local fans won’t need to wait long to see some of his new work, either. The company will perform three different Ma Cong ballets this season – Carmina Burana, first performed by Tulsa Ballet in 2006; a brand new creation to be set on Tulsa Ballet this season, which will premiere at Studio K in April as part of the Pop Culture series; and Luscious, a new piece he has set on another company this year, to be performed exclusively at Winter Celebration on December 3, 2009.
Houston Ballet recently sent out an email highlighting Ma’s visit:
Spring Showcase Features Ma Cong Work
Rising and gifted young choreographer Ma Cong, a principal dancer and resident choreographer with Tulsa Ballet, arrived last week at Houston Ballet and began working with Houston Ballet II to create a new work that will be performed at the Academy Spring Showcase, April 16-17, 2010.
“I’m glad to have the chance to work with and create with this talented young generation. I’m impressed by the dancers of Houston Ballet II. Their experience is evident and they have great physicality. It’s been a wonderful time working with them,” said Cong.
For the piece, the name of which is still under wraps, Cong was inspired by both the life and music of Goran Bregovic. The piece will feature six dancers, performing to the music of Bregovic and Kroke. The dance takes on a gypsy flavor with high energy and playful yet modern movement.
Congrats, Ma! We’re glad to have you back!
Ma’s local fans won’t need to wait long to see some of his new work, either. The company will perform three different Ma Cong ballets this season – Carmina Burana, first performed by Tulsa Ballet in 2006; a brand new creation to be set on Tulsa Ballet this season, which will premiere at Studio K in April as part of the Pop Culture series; and Luscious, a new piece he has set on another company this year, to be performed exclusively at Winter Celebration on December 3, 2009.
Houston Ballet recently sent out an email highlighting Ma’s visit:
Spring Showcase Features Ma Cong Work
Rising and gifted young choreographer Ma Cong, a principal dancer and resident choreographer with Tulsa Ballet, arrived last week at Houston Ballet and began working with Houston Ballet II to create a new work that will be performed at the Academy Spring Showcase, April 16-17, 2010.
“I’m glad to have the chance to work with and create with this talented young generation. I’m impressed by the dancers of Houston Ballet II. Their experience is evident and they have great physicality. It’s been a wonderful time working with them,” said Cong.
For the piece, the name of which is still under wraps, Cong was inspired by both the life and music of Goran Bregovic. The piece will feature six dancers, performing to the music of Bregovic and Kroke. The dance takes on a gypsy flavor with high energy and playful yet modern movement.
Congrats, Ma! We’re glad to have you back!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, October 16, 2009
Founders Society Preview
Last night was a fabulous first Founders Society Preview of the year. The weather was just right to bring out our fall clothes, the champagne was flowing, and there was drama on the stage for the rehearsal preview. I filmed this video on a Flip camera from the side of the theater so the footage isn’t great, but it does capture a little of the drama. Can’t wait to see this fabulous dancing with full costumes, scenery and effects.
Dracula Photos
Next week the company will be in Oklahoma City to perform the state premiere of Ben Stevenson's Dracula - and we'll be in Tulsa for Halloween weekend.
If you haven’t seen Ma Cong’s photos of rehearsals – you MUST check them out on Tulsa Ballet’s FaceBook page. (the link is on the right side of this page) He has so many talents! And what a sweetheart. They are all beautiful, but are a couple of my favorites.
Everything is beautiful at the Ballet!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
