December 19, 2001
Contact: Moon Rinaldo; moonr@cats.ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4058
Arts and Lectures presents Smuin Ballets/SF on February 9-10
For Release Immediately
UC SANTA CRUZ ARTS & LECTURES presents SMUIN BALLETS/SF DANCIN' WITH GERSHWIN
DETAILS
* TWO PERFORMANCES!: Saturday, February 9 at 8:00pm & Sunday, February 10 at
2:00pm
* Cabrillo College Theater
* Admission: $25 General / $20 Students and Seniors with ID / $14 UCSC Students with
ID
* Tickets: UCSC Ticket Office: 831.459.2159 / On-Line: events.ucsc.edu/artslecs
"Without doubt, one of this country's most entertaining, original ballet troupes."
--Dance Magazine
"Ingenious...Smuin's cleverness has a fierce originality." --The New York
Times
UCSC Arts & Lectures presents Smuin Ballets/SF in an innovative choreographic
exploration of the history and culture of George Gershwinís music. Performing at
the Cabrillo College Theater (a first at this venue for Arts & Lectures!) on
Saturday, February 9 at 8:00pm & Sunday, February 10 at 2:00pm, Smuin Ballets/SF
presents its new work Danciní with Gershwin. This evening-length piece forges new
intersections between ballet, American popular dance and Broadway and is the first
full length ballet ever set to Gershwin's compositions.
PERFORMANCE
Artistic Director, Michael Smuinís, intent with Dancin' with Gershwin is to embark
upon an exploration into the process of how American culture has developed, continually
synthesizing its own complex dance forms. The evening-length work features the creme
de la creme of Gershwinís countless classics: Al Jolson singing Swanee, Nat King
Cole's Love is Here to Stay plus fabulous recordings by Marilyn Monroe, Fred Astaire,
Ella Fitzgerald, Cher, Michael Feinstein and many more. Dancin' with Gershwin "finds
Smuin Ballets/SF in electrifying form" ...the program "is instantly likeable,
a gift to veteran dance fans and newcomers alike."óSan Francisco Chronicle
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Smuin Ballets/SF is the only ballet company in history to be directed by a winner
of both the Tony and Emmy awards. Founder and director Michael Smuin draws on his
own career as a dancer and choreographeróspanning the worlds of classical ballet,
Broadway and filmsóto create his fiercely original ballet company. Known for his
sensual, contemporary style, Smuinís innovative, common-man approach to the revered
art of ballet has attracted a loyal following. He has called his own lean and muscular
innovations "guerrilla ballet," distinctive for his use of recorded music
and appropriation of modern dance and jazz styles. "Iíll go with anything...if
it matches the music," Smuin says, "Iím interested in the music."
The winner of seven Emmy Awards and a Tony Award, Smuin was director of the San Francisco
Ballet for 12 years and danced in and directed the American Ballet Theater before
starting Smuin Ballets/SF in 1994.
This performance is made possible with assistance from the California Arts Council.
INTERVIEW CONTACT
To request an interview please fax or e-mail:
Jon Finck or Brenda Hughes,
Encore Communications
E-mail: mail@encore-sf.com
Fax: 415-438-9949
Phone: 415-438-9933
PHOTOS
A photo is available via e-mail
by contacting Moon Rinaldo:
moonr@cats.ucsc.edu or (831) 459-4058
UCSC ARTS & LECTURES CONTACTS
Moon Rinaldo
A&L Publicity and
Production Coordinator
831.459.4058
moonr@cats.ucsc.edu
or
Michelle Witt
A&L Manager
831.459.2941
mwitt@cats.ucsc.edu
TICKETS
UCSC Ticket Office
831.459.2159 (v/tdd)
GENERAL
Mailing Address:
D106 Porter
1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA 95064
A&L fax: 831.459.4521
A&L e-mail: artslecs@cats.ucsc.edu
A&L on-line: events.ucsc.edu/artslecs
UC Santa Cruz Arts & Lectures is committed to presenting artists of national
and international reputation to Santa Cruz County and beyond.
The 2001-2002 Arts & Lectures Season presented in partnership with the Santa
Cruz Sentinel, KUSP 88.9FM, New Leaf Community Markets and Continental/Seaway Inns.
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