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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. ##### Press Release Home | Search Press Releases | Press Release Archive | Services for Journalists
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