NEW ORLEANS, LA - The New Orleans Ballet Association announces its 2017-2018 dance season packed with stellar performances by five brilliant and world-renowned dance companies, including Ballet Hispánico, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Tango Fire, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Roméo and Juliette, and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago.

The season begins at the Mahalia Jackson Theater on October 21 with the return of Ballet Hispánico. Led by charismatic, Cuban-American director Eduardo Vilaro, Ballet Hispánico has become an "ambassador of not just Latino culture but of dance itself." (Broadway World) This stylish company of "the most technically accomplished and musical dancers you'll find in the contemporary sphere" (The Washington Post) brings a playful and passionate program that includes Vilaro's electrifying tribute to Cuban dance with music by Grammy-winner Paquito D'Rivera; the lush, cinematic work of celebrated Mexican choreographer Tania Pérez Salas; and a flamenco-inspired piece by internationally acclaimed dance maker Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, the choreographer of the wildly successful A Streetcar Named Desire for Scottish Ballet.

On November 10 and 11, NOBA and The NOCCA Institute co-present Aspen Santa Fe Ballet for three performances in NOCCA's intimate Freda Lupin Memorial Hall. Hailed by the New York Times as "a breath of fresh air," Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is always at the forefront of American dance with its innovative, sleek style, adventurous repertoire and a dedication to commissioning new works from top international choreographers for over 20 years. Led by Jean-Philippe Malaty and celebrated Joffrey Ballet dancer Tom Mossbrucker, the company brings a joyous program with stunning ballets by innovative masters Alejandro Cerrudo, Cayetano Soto and Jorma Elo.

In the New Year, the Mahalia Jackson Theater heats up on January 27 with Tango Fire. With ten glamorous dancers and a quartet of the finest musicians, Tango Fire ignites the stage with a blazing hot, Broadway-style show of "tango at its sexiest and most stupendous." (The Telegraph) Directed by international superstar German Cornejo, this fiery ensemble of world champion tango couples from Buenos Aires expertly performs all of the lightning fast, precise footwork and sensational acrobatic partnering of authentic Argentine tango with "plenty of sizzle." (The Telegraph)


On February 24, the glamorous Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo begins its North American tour in New Orleans with a special full-evening Roméo and Juliette. Shakespeare's tale of star-crossed lovers gets an exotic French twist in this "gorgeously original" (The Telegraph), stunningly imaginative interpretation by renowned choreographer and director Jean-Christophe Maillot. Flawlessly performed with impeccable artistry by an exquisite company of 50 dancers and set to the romantic Prokofiev score, this ultra-modern staging of Roméo & Juliette is a must-see premium special event for ballet enthusiasts and new audiences alike.

The season closes at the Mahalia Jackson Theater on April 7 with a special command performance by Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. Celebrating 40 years as a driving force of American contemporary dance, the company returns to New Orleans with an extraordinary anniversary program curated by Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton that spotlights master works from all four decades of the company's illustrious history. The evening's highlights include Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo's newest creation and trailblazing first hit by the brilliant Nacho Duato, the poetic dances of Crystal Pite, and a jazzy swing classic by founding Artistic Director Lou Conte. This versatile and virtuosic ensemble of dancers will "take your breath away." (The Washington Post)

NOBA season ticket buyers can save up to 20 percent off the single ticket price by purchasing a season ticket package. The Grand Plus Series package of all five events ranges from $141 to $477. The Grand Series package, which includes all four performances at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, ranges from $101 to $457. The flexible Build-a-Series package allows season ticket holders to design their own season package and starts at $94. Discounts are also available for students with a valid student ID. Single ticket prices for Ballet Hispánico, Tango Fire and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago begin at $25, and Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo at $40. The single ticket price for Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is $50.

Season packages are currently on sale, and single tickets go on sale Sept. 12. For more information on the upcoming season or to purchase season tickets, call NOBA at 504-522-0996, Ext. 201, or visit www.nobadance.com. Single tickets may also be purchased through Ticketmaster by calling 1-800-745-3000 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com.

 

NOBA'S 2017-18 SEASON AT A GLANCE

Ballet Hispánico - Saturday, October 21, 8 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet - Friday, November 10, 8 pm and Saturday, November 11, 2 pm and 8 pm at NOCCA's Freda Lupin Memorial Hall (Co-presented with The NOCCA Institute)
Tango Fire - Saturday, January 27, 8 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater
Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Roméo & Juliette - Saturday, February 24, 8 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago - Saturday, April 7, 8 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater

 

 


About the New Orleans Ballet Association
NOBA is the Central Gulf region's premier presenting and service organization dedicated solely to the art of dance. NOBA's dynamic Main Stage season annually features a diverse array of world-class companies and artists. Each year NOBA provides concerts, classes, workshops and lectures to more than 33,000 area dance enthusiasts of all ages. In addition, NOBA's nationally recognized, award-winning education programs provide the youth of our community access to quality arts programs with over 5,500 free dance classes and workshops annually at ten sites throughout the Greater New Orleans area.

NOBA is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA); a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, and the NEA, a Federal agency; a Community Arts Grant made possible by the City of New Orleans and administered by the Arts Council New Orleans (ACNO); and a grant from the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council as administered through ACNO. Ballet Hispánico and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet are funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the NEA and the Louisiana Division of the Arts. The presentation of Silent Ghost by Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts' National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

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Sarah Chambless Federer
Gambel Communications
985-373-5271
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