Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda and Fearless actress Rosie Perez will be joining Ballet Hispánico 50th Celebration this Thursday.
One of the nation’s most prominent Latino dance groups, the company was founded in 1970 in New York by Tina Ramirez, a dancer and choreographer who since her early beginning studied ballet, modern dance and ethnic dance. The Puerto Rican/Mexican-American artist would later incorporate those styles into the core programs of the company that is world-famous for presenting dances reflecting the experience of Hispanics and Latino Americans.
Ballet Hispánico’s New York City headquarters houses a School of Dance and state-of-the-art dance studios for its programs and the arts community. In 2010, the company launched Instituto Coreográfico, a choreographic institute for “Latinx artists to create culturally specific work in a nurturing learning laboratory of dance,” according to its website. The choreographer in residence is paired with an emerging filmmaker to document their process, create promotional materials and add a layer of artistic collaboration.
In recognition of her work and contributions to the field of dance, Ramirez received the National Medal of Arts in 2005. Created by the U.S. Congress, the award honors artists and patrons of the arts.
Last year, the Ford Foundation designated Ballet Hispánico one of “America’s Cultural Treasures,” awarding the company $4.5 million over four years.
Oscar-nominated Miranda and Perez are scheduled to appear in the May 27 private virtual celebration featuring performances by Ballet Hispánico Company and artists of its School of Dance. The exclusive event will include a welcome and toast from Eduardo Vilaro, company artistic director, and a live post-performance conversation with company dancers.
Ticket prices start at $150. Individuals who purchase tickets with multiple invitations will be able to invite guests to join them for the private screening at no additional cost. These multiple-invitation tickets start at $250. Ticket buyers and their guests will also have the opportunity to visit and mingle together in private virtual event rooms.
“This is an evening you won’t want to miss with performances from our Company dancers and School of Dance students in celebration of 50 years of Dance, Orgullo, Education, Sabor, Access, Amor, Community, Espíritu, and Innovation,” reads a company Facebook post.
Adds Vilaro in another post, “It’s our celebration of 50 years of pride, dance, education and it’s going to be phenomenal.”
Ballet Hispanico’s 50th Celebration will premiere virtually to the public for free this Friday with performances by Ballet Hispánico Company and artists of its School of Dance on YouTube, Facebook and ballethispanico.org. The ballet notes the May 28 event is free of charge “thanks to the generous support of our ticket buyers, donors, and sponsors. The performance will remain available for two weeks on the three online platforms.
The company has reportedly performed for more than two million people in the U.S, Europe and South America with a repertory of over 75 works, all of them created especially for Ballet Hispanico fusing ballet, modern and Latin dance in celebration of contemporary Latino culture.
For tickets and more information, visit https://www.ballethispanico.org.
Featured Photo: Rosie Perez (Credit: Joella Marano), Ballet Hispanico (Credit: Courtesy of Company), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Credit: Gage Skidmore)