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Ballet Hispánico B Unidos Instagram Video Series Week 8
May 11, 2020 - May 15, 2020
Ballet Hispánico continues B Unidos, its Instagram video series on Motivational Monday, May 11 with a message from choreographer and director Sergio Trujillo and Asuka Facebook Watch Party Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at 7pm at www.instagram.com/ballethispanico/.
The week’s content continues on www.instagram.com/ballethispanicoedu/*:
Take Action Tuesday 5/12:
– The School of Dance offers an 11am activity for Pasitos (children ages 2-5) and a Ballet Class with Vanessa Valecillos at 5pm on Instagram LIVE.
Wepa Wednesday 5/13:
– 7pm ET: Facebook Watch Party of Asuka followed by Choreographers & Cocktails – a LIVE Q&A discussion with Eduardo Vilaro and choreographer and Still Spinning podcast host Laura Diffenderfer. Watch this Company performance LIVE with us on Facebook, YouTube, or view on our website.
Therapeutic Thursday 5/14:
– 5pm ET: Pilates & Foot Strengthening Workshop with Kathryn Ross-Nash on Instagram TV.
Flashback Friday 5/15:
– 11am ET: A retrospective look back at the 1990s from Ballet Hispánico archives of videos and photos, with a request for followers to share their archives with the company.
* unless otherwise noted
Asuka (2011)
Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro
(In collaboration with the Company Artists)
Music Sound Scape Remix by Jesse Felluss
Music by Bola de Nieve: Drume Negrita
Celia Cruz: Yemaya, Tu Voz, Te Busco, Pa’ la Paloma, Agua Pa’ Mí, Guantanamera
Costume Design by Eduardo Vilaro and Diana Ruettiger
Lighting Design by Joshua Preston
Asuka is a celebration of the music of Celia Cruz through the lens of the Latino experience. Cruz, renowned as the “Queen of Salsa,” captured the heart of Latinos the world over and became a symbol of perseverance for many. Through rich imagery and humor, Eduardo Vilaro explores the struggles of departure from one’s homeland and the exuberance of success experienced by a community.
World Premiere: December 17, 2011 at the Apollo Theater
Asuka was commissioned in part by Goya Foods in celebration of their 75th Anniversary, by Gaily and John Beinecke, and by the University of Notre Dame’s DeBartolo Performing Arts Center.
# B Unidos
The Instagram series features videos created by the three arms of the Ballet Hispánico: the professional company, the School of Dance, and Community Arts Partnership (CAP) and featuring the hashtag #BUnidos at www.instagram.com/ballethispanico/.
Daily, the company releases a new video generated by the dancers, teachers and administrators with the goal of serving as class, exercise, and inspiration: Motivational Mondays (inspirational messages), Take Action Tuesdays (technique tips for young dancers), Wepa Wednesdays Watch Parties, Therapeutic Thursdays (focus on conditioning, health and wellness, stretching), and Flashback Fridays (retrospective looks at past 50 years from Ballet Hispánico’s archives).
“As a community of dancers, artists, and human beings, we are all in this together. We will persevere through this challenging time and we hope that these videos provide a coping outlet, for you, for our followers and the community overall,” said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico. “Now more than ever, it is important to band together in support of the arts. The personal and professional challenges that we have already endured and will continue to face over the next few weeks or months are significant. What we can take from this time of cancellations, uncertainty and social distancing is a chance to use our creativity to connect with the community on a new level. Social distancing does not mean emotional distancing. Ballet Hispánico was founded upon and has always believed in the importance of reaching and servicing our community through dance and culture. As this pandemic occurs during our 50th Anniversary, it provides us with an opportunity to reflect on how far we have come, get back to our roots by reaching out to community near and far, and look forward to what is ahead.”
About Ballet Hispánico
Ballet Hispánico, America’s leading Latino dance organization, has been bringing people together to celebrate the joy and diversity of Latino cultures for 50 years.
Over the past five decades, Ballet Hispánico’s mission-driven ethos has been a catalyst of change for communities throughout our nation. By bringing the richness of the Latinx culture to the forefront of performance, education and social advocacy, Ballet Hispánico is a cultural ambassador.
The organization’s founder, National Medal of Arts recipient Tina Ramirez, sought to give voice to the Hispanic experience and break through stereotypes. Today, Ballet Hispánico is led by Eduardo Vilaro, an acclaimed choreographer and former member of the Company whose artistic vision responds to the need for social equity, cultural identity, and quality arts education for all.
Ballet Hispánico has been, and will continue to be, a beacon for diversity. The art we create explores and celebrates the culture without the trappings of stereotypes. We foster the pursuit of art as a way of providing transformation through the exploration of the human condition. Our art often defies gravity, acting as a frontline against cultural division by releasing preconceived notions of culture and instead offering our audiences new perspectives.