Loyola Ballet celebrates National Dance Week with performances, Russian masterpiece

The Loyola Ballet celebrates National Dance Week and Loyola University's centennial with a mixed repertory program on Saturday, April 28 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 29 at 3 p.m., in Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall, located in the Communications/Music Complex on Loyola's main campus. The performances, directed by Laura Zambrano, include classical, contemporary and character works.

The performance features special guest artist, and Loyola alumnus, Kenneth Bryan, playing the role of Abderachman in Marius Petipa's last true masterpiece, "Raymonda." During rehearsals for “Raymonda,” Irina Vassileni-Uralsky, a graduate of the famed Bolshoi Ballet Academy and former Bolshoi Ballet dancer, taught master classes at the university and coached the students.

Other works on the program include:

• “Ocean and Pearls,” a pas de trois restaged by Zambrano after Arthur Saint-Leon and set to music by Riccardo Drigo.
• “Shostakovich Suite,” a work performed by students from Loyola’s Preparatory Ballet Program and choreographed by faculty members Leigh Brockman, Cheryl O’Sullivan, Laura Zambrano and Emerita Gayle Parmelee.
• “Solo Por Un Tango,” a contemporary work set to music by Gotan Project and choreographed by Michelle Brenes, a graduating senior with a ballet minor and psychology major.
• “Topotukha,” a Russian character work performed by guest artists Komenka Ethnic Dance Ensemble.

Tickets are $12 for general admission and $8 for all students, seniors and children, and are available online at http://www.montage.loyno.edu or by calling 504-865-2074. Tickets will also be available at the door 30 minutes prior to the performance.

Free parking is available in Loyola's West Road Garage, which is accessible from St. Charles Avenue.