AMERICAN MOVES! NOBA’s 2012-2013 Season of Dance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Christine Minero
Gambel Communications
504-324-4242
christine@gambelpr.com

AMERICAN MOVES!
NOBA's 2012-2013 Season of Dance

NEW ORLEANS, LA - The New Orleans Ballet Association announces its 2012-2013 Season of Dance American Moves, celebrating American dance pioneers, visionaries, and legends. This season, five powerhouse companies showcase the unique history, diversity, and innovation of dance in America: the breathtaking physicality of Pilobolus; the sexy dancers of Ballet Hispanico, teaming up with the 19-member, Grammy Award-winning Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra; the beautiful works of Jessica Lang Dance; the sleek and sharp dancers of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet; and the legendary Martha Graham Dance Company.

The season kicks off with the gravity-defying, shape-shifting dancers of Pilobolus on October 20, 8 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater. For over 40 years, Pilobolus has tickled the imagination and entertained the world by blending humor, mind-boggling movement and jaw-dropping athleticism that defies what is humanly possible. With a rich history of sold out performances and in-depth education residencies in New Orleans, this troupe returns for the first time in almost a decade with a fun evening for the entire family.

Continuing our initiative of pairing dance and music, Ballet Hispanico and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra bring a hot, Latin dance party to the Mahalia Jackson Theater on December 8, 7:30 pm. The stage will ignite with the infectious rhythms of Cuban, jazz and big-band music and the stylish Latin social dances of Rumba, Salsa, Cha-cha, and Mambo. The result is a fiery evening that "makes you want to get up and dance" (The New York Times).

NOBA and The NOCCA Institute are pleased to present the New Orleans debut of Jessica Lang Dance at Fred Lupin Memorial Hall on January 18 and 19 at 8 pm and on January 20 at 2 pm. One of the most sought-after American choreographers, Lang has created breathtaking ballets for such major companies as American Ballet Theatre and The Joffrey Ballet. Returning to Mahalia Jackson Theater on February 23 at 8pm, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, one of America's great success stories that The New York Times calls "a breath of fresh air," brings an exciting program that features some of the most dynamic choreographic voices in dance today.

Closing the season on March 23 at the Mahalia Jackson Theater at 8 pm, the Martha Graham Dance Company will perform in New Orleans for the very first time in the company's 87-year history. Hailed as "one of the seven wonders of the artistic universe" (Washington Post), the Martha Graham Dance Company revolutionized American dance. A trailblazing genius, Graham captured the contemporary spirit of her time and created groundbreaking works that continue to inspire and captivate audiences. The New Orleans program is highlighted by Graham's masterpiece Appalachian Spring (1944), set to the famous Aaron Copeland score, and Panorama (1935), danced by New Orleans youth in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the NORDC/NOBA Center For Dance.

NOBA is proud to welcome back two companies who, in the aftermath of Katrina, donated their services to help NOBA bring world renowned dance back to this great city. We honor and pay tribute to the generosity of spirit of Ballet Hispanico and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, which not only constructed special programs to perform at Tulane's Dixon Hall but also conducted workshops in schools throughout the city. In addition to their performances on the Main Stage this season, both companies will again partner with NOBA to provide a week of classes for our youth and families.

NOBA season ticket buyers 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 $109 to $445, while the Grand Series package, which includes all four performances at the Mahalia Jackson Theater, ranges from $68 to $425. The flexible Build-a-Series package allows season ticket holders to design their own season package and starts at $51. Discounts are also available for students with a valid ID. Single ticket prices for Pilobolus, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet and Martha Graham Dance Company, and Ballet Hispanico are $20-$125. The single ticket price for Jessica Lang Dance is $50.

Season packages are currently on sale, and single tickets for NOBA events go on sale September 4. 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 online at http://www.ticketmaster.com/.

NOBA is the Central Gulf region's premiere 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 25,000 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 3,000 free dance classes and workshops annually at ten sites throughout the Greater New Orleans area.

American Airlines is the official airline of the New Orleans Ballet Association and the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel is the official hotel.

This project 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 as administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans (ACNO); a Community Arts Grant made possible through the City of New Orleans as administered by ACNO; a grant from the Louisiana State Arts Council through the Louisiana Division of the Arts and the NEA. Martha Graham Dance Company is funded in part by a grant from South Arts in partnership with the NEA and the Louisiana Division of the Arts.

NOBA'S 2012-13 SEASON AT A GLANCE

• Pilobolus - October 20, 8 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater
• Ballet Hispanico and the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra - December 8 at 7:30 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater
• Jessica Lang Dance - January 18 & 19 at 8 pm and January 20 at 2 pm at NOCCA's Freda Lupin Memorial Hall (Co-presented with The NOCCA Institute)
• Aspen Santa Fe Ballet - February 23, 8 pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater
• Martha Graham Dance Company - March 23, 8pm at the Mahalia Jackson Theater

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