America’s leading Latino dance organization, Ballet Hispánico, founded by National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramírez in 1970, will commemorate its 50th anniversary with a virtual celebration of a half-century of “dance, orgullo, education, sabor, access, amor, community, espíritu, and innovation.” The free online public premiere will stream on Friday, May 28, beginning at 6:30 pm.
Hosted by Artistic Director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro and School of Dance students Chelsea Phillips and Theo Adarkar, the event will feature performances by the Ballet Hispánico company and student artists at the School of Dance. The program includes premieres by Lauren Anderson, Ana “Rokafella” Garcia, and Belén Maya; performances of works by Graciela Daniele, Ann Reinking, Geoffrey Holder, Nacho Duato, Pedro Ruiz, and Gustavo Ramírez Sansano; and appearances by celebrity guests Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis Miranda, Rosie Perez, Lauren Anderson, Ben Rodriguez-Cubeñas, and Darren Walker.
On behalf of the organization, Vilaro said, “We are honored to be joined by such an amazing group of artists and supporters to commemorate the legacy and future of Ballet Hispánco” He went on to note that the “past year has been a challenging time for everyone, and we look forward to this opportunity to gather with our beloved community virtually and safely to perform for you, to honor our roots, and celebrate our heritage and growth.”
Born in Cuba and raised in New York since the age of six, Vilaro is an advocate for the merits of cultural intersectionality and the importance of nurturing and building Latinx leaders. During his years with the company, he has infused Ballet Hispánico’s legacy with a bold brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s changing cultural landscape, with works that are catalysts for new dialogues about what it means to be an American. His own choreography is devoted to capturing the Latin American experience in its totality and diversity, and through its intersectionality with other diasporas.
To register for the upcoming anniversary event, and to receive special content, announcements, and reminders, go online. Following its debut on May 28, the 50th Celebration will be available for two weeks on the Ballet Hispánico website, YouTube channel, and Facebook page. In addition to the free streaming, there will be a virtual private screening on Thursday, May 27, at 6:30 pm, which will include a live post-performance conversation with special guests. Tickets for the exclusive event begin at $150 and allow supporters to join the celebration, to make a toast with the virtual audience, and to ask questions live.
