Family-Friendly Sunday Afternoon

Want to spend a great Sunday afternoon with your family, but not sure what to do? Take a seat at the Central Florida Ballet's next FREE performance of "The Enchanted Garden". 

 Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

This show features Act III and additional excerpts from Le Corsaire (a full-length ballet). The performance begins with beautiful dancing in the King Pasha's palace upon which King Pasha retires for a nap. The ballet transitions into a dream sequence of "The Enchanted Garden" where "Medora, Gulnare, and the woman of the harem join together to dance a fantastical Grand Ballabile in which they celebrate beauty, grace, and harmony in a garden filled with flowers and magic fountains". After their great celebration, the King awakens and... well you will just have to see the show for yourself to find out the conclusion!

Mark your Calendar, iPhone, Blackberry, etc for Sunday, February 19 at 2:00pm held at the Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park. Simply arrive early to ensure seating (tickets and reservations are not issued). This year's performance is sponsored by ArtsFest of United Arts of Central Florida. For complete event information click here.  

About Central Florida Ballet: The Central Florida Ballet is a 501 (c) Non-Profit Organization. Central Florida Ballet's mission is to entertain, educate, and inspire through the universal art form of dance. With a diverse repertoire of dance productions and programs from classical to contemporary and beyond, each attendee is to be culturally enriched while developing an appreciation for the arts.

Your support keeps us moving! For information, on how to make a tax-deductible donation to support a performance, educational program, or dancer.. please call the Central Florida Ballet at 407.849.9942 or visit http://www.CentralFloridaBallet.com

Top 5 Dances to Watch

So many of us dance enthusiasts watch an incredible amount of videos on YouTube. We have seen all the varieties out there...from the fun, clever, oddly unique or the always popular "oh my gosh they are incredible" videos. So we gathered some of our favorites just for you...ENJOY!

"Boogie Shoes"

We love this dance because its just plain fun and urges you to get up and dance; that is if you haven't already started. The dance starts near the 0:45 minute mark.

"Yanis Pikieris - Moscow Gold Medal"

Yes, this video definitely brings you back many years or actually decades. All we can say however is the dancing is purely magical! Don't miss the second half of the video which showcases Pikieris's stunning Don Quixote variation and coda - talk about endless attitude turns!

"Diana Vishneva in Firebird Pas de Deux"

This video caught our eye for several reasons. Number One - "Firebird" is a ballet not performed in Orlando very often or actually even a time we can remember.  Number Two: Vishneva is a true star of the ballet world; from her artistry to her impeccable technique she simply captures your attention for this six minute pas de deux!

 "Good Morning, Good Morning"

We picked this video because its a timeless classic and who knew you could stand on furniture in that time or that there are so many ways to use coats...watch the video to see what we are talking about! Don't miss the ballet "bar" at the 2:40 minute mark.

"Wedding Entrance"

We picked this video because it proves dance is for anyone and that you never know what can happen when the music begins...enjoy!

We hope you enjoyed these! Remember there is dance all around you - get involved in the movement or as we say at the Central Florida Ballet: "Move. Be Moved. Be More"! For information on dance classes and upcoming performances visit http://www.CentralFloridaBallet.com or call 407.849.9942.

Before you leave...do you have another video you want to share with us? Tell us in a comment below (you don't have to be a registered user to comment so please share with us). We can't wait to see!

CFB Selects Students for Summer Intensive

This Saturday, January 14 marks the annual audition for the Central Florida Ballet's Summer Intensive Dance Program. This intensive ballet-focused program provides formal Russian classical ballet training for local and out-of-town students. "We find our dancers improve their classical technique significantly over the duration of this program for several reasons." says Diane Withee, the CFB School Director.

Photo By: Virginia Trudeau & Deedee Sherman

For one, our Russian style of training is known as one of the most difficult, but rewarding in the dance world. The Central Florida Ballet's Founder & Executive Director, Vasile Petrutiu, and Artistic Director, Vladimir Bykov, are primary instructors of the Summer Intensive and both were trained in national elite ballet schools under the Vaganova (Russian) style.  Furthermore, students are able to focus their whole day on just dance during the summer term. Meaning they have ample time and energy to perfect their dance vocabulary while learning new steps. The Advanced level students have a full day of classes Monday-Friday.

A typical day begins at 9:00am with ballet technique followed by pointe and variations. Then after a one hour lunch break students continue with classes in complimenting dance styles such as modern, jazz, character, lyrical, yoga or repertoire where they learn a ballet presented in a final performance for family and friends at the end of the session. Plus each week different workshops are given discussing dance-related topics including dance history, acting, stage make-up and hair, and nutrition. Since opening in 2000, the CFBA's exemplary training method is shining brighter than ever..Recent Alumni of the Central Florida Ballet Academy and Summer Intensive include:

• Sasha De Sola, Corps de Ballet with San Francisco Ballet
• Joanna Schmidt, Graduate Program at Pittsburgh Ballet Theater
• Meredith Harrill, Trainee with Joffrey Ballet
• Kristin Mitchell, Pre-Professional Program at Boston Ballet
  
• Arielle Martin, Professional Division at the School of Pacific Northwest Ballet
• Hunter Finnegan, Student at the School of Pittsburgh Ballet Theater 

For more information on the CFB Summer Intensive Dance Program visit the official website page here or call 407.849.9942.

Central Florida Ballet Delights Romania with ‘Nutcracker’

Just over a week ago the Central Florida Ballet concluded its tour to Romania for its award-winning production of “The Nutcracker”.  A large group of thirty-five students, dancers, parents and staff traveled across the Atlantic to bring the magic and joy of the CFB production to Sibiu, Romania (the city of which was named the cultural capital of the European Union in 2007). A total of five performances were held at the ‘Casa de Cultură a Sindicatelor’ where Romanian families saw a modern and American twist to the holiday classic.

Ashton Gordon as Maria in the Party Scene of ‘The Nutcracker’ where dancers try to grab the prized Nutcracker away…

Vasile Petrutiu, Founder and Executive Director, of the Central Florida Ballet says he never doubted the performances would be well-received in Romania… “It was a unique production few have seen in Romania...From the pyrotechnics, sets and backdrops, to the American choreography and nuances along with the impressive technique of our Academy students – the families were astounded by the end of each performance.” The success and acclaim the production received however did take lots of detailed, painstaking preparation.

To bring the production overseas the ballet companies had just barely three months to create the same production more than 5,500 miles away or 24 hours traveling time by airplane. The Teatrul de Balet Sibiu created new backdrops from the designs of Central Florida Ballet’s set designer, Dorin Gal; large and small props were needed including the sleigh, large Owl clock, cannon, couch, puppet carriage; costumes were made for the Waltz of the Flowers and Snow Scene plus many of the Act II divertissement; not to mention preparing the dancers, pyrotechnics, light design nor travel, food, and housing arrangements or even media attention; both companies certainly had their work cut out for them.

A curious mouse appears onstage amongst fog and a sleeping Maria to discover cheese to share with the other mice…

 

Asked if the Central Florida Ballet will return to Romania for more performances, Vasile says “Definitely. It was a great learning experience for our dancers, many of whom have never been out of the United States. It opened their eyes to a new culture and way of living – and a new language! At the same time, the citizens of Romania expanded their view of the American culture likewise.”

Next up for the Central Florida Ballet is “The Enchanted Garden”; a free performance performed by the CFB Studio Company and sponsored by the annual ArtsFest of United Arts of Central Florida. Enjoy an afternoon with your friends at the Trinity Preparatory School where the performance will be held at 2:00pm on Sunday, February 19, 2012.

For more information on the Central Florida Ballet and its Academy, visit http://www.CentralFloridaBallet.com or call 407.849.9942.

Nutcracker in Romania: Final Video & Photos

 

Enjoy this exclusive backstage footage from Sibiu, Romania..we are in Act II of The Nutcracker and the Russians are taking the stage to delight the audience...

 A group picture onstage before one of the last performances in Sibiu, Romania..

 Dancers gather for a photo beneath the gigantic Christmas tree in the main plaza of the Sibiu...

 An article in one of the major Romanian newspapers about the first collaboration between the Teatrul de Balet Sibiu and Central Florida Ballet...

Students pose for a photo before warm-up class onstage...

 Dancers and parents enjoy their free day to explore in the city and stop to eat at 'The Gallery'..

 The dancers are purely delighted to see it snow (and not just onstage) on
nearly the last day in Romania...

Just one day until the first performance, the dancers rehearse for the Party Scene...

For more information on the Central Florida Ballet and its Ballet Academy, visit http://www.CentralFloridaBallet.com or Call 407.849.9942.

Nutcracker in Romania: Performance Pictures

Take a look at some of the pictures from the performances in Romania. 

A very special thank you to Anthony Cotter for the photos!

Maria's mischievous brother, Fritz, is chased by the party teens, girls and boys in the Party Scene..

 

 Maria dances in the dream sequence with Prince Nikita. This pas de deux is included only in the Central Florida Ballet's version of 'The Nutcracker'.

 Jealous of Maria's present from Drosselmeyer, the party girls and

boys try to grab the 'Nutcracker' from Maria.

A lone mouse arrives in the house and will soon find some cheese to share with the other mice before Drosselmeyer chases them away...

The Shepherd Doll dance concludes in the Party Scene and Drosselmeyer 

quickly has them disappear with his magic!

Nutcracker in Romania: Take a Tour in Pictures

From December 13 - 22 of 2011, the Central Florida Ballet embarked on its first performance tour of "The Nutcracker". Thirty-five dancers and parents made the trip overseas to Sibiu, Romania where performances were held in collaboration with the Teatrul de Balet Sibiu. From flying overseas, to counting lei (Romanian dollars), communicating with the locals, and traveling the countryside it was truly an experience to remember for a lifetime. Since many of you were not able to join us on the trip, we thought we would bring Romania to YOU! Join us as we take a tour through the pictures below and check back soon for more updates and video! Have a question on our experience? Post a comment below!

The Christmas Market held in the main plaza of Sibiu. Our dancers found many homemade gifts for their friends and family here. During the evenings, traditional Romanian dances were held on a large stage and you could ride bumper cars or take a walk around with a horse! Click Here for a live web cam of the market!

Streets in Sibiu with so much detail. Did you know Sibiu is one of the oldest towns in Romania?

 Dancers: Kailey Withee, Cassandra LeRette, and Margaret MacNeil pose in front 

of one of the many 'Nutcracker' poster sightings around town.

 A close up view of the 'Nutcracker' poster...

 Buildings along the main plaza street...

 Dancers take a moment to relax in the dressing room and form a massage line 

before the fourth 'Nutcracker' performance.

 Side entrance to the theater (known as "Casa de Cultură a Sindicatelor")

 Large poster on the front of the theater. It was huge!

 View from the street below...

Beginning of the Snow Scene..Soloists: Reina Yagura and Bogdan Plopeanu perform the Snow pas de deux. 

The Snow Scene ends with the dancers waving goodbye to Maria and Prince Nikita...