“As the largest Latinx dance organization in the country, we celebrate Latinidad, the artistic brilliance, and the vibrant voices of BIPOC artists and communities throughout the year,” said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director and CEO of Ballet Hispánico. “This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month programming pays homage to the profound impact of Latinx culture on the art of dance and society overall, through contemporary dance performances rooted in rich tradition, captivating storytelling on stage, and through important discussions by industry leaders that represent and highlight the beauty and diversity of the diaspora.”

Touring in the US and Canada. Ballet Hispánico’s professional Company brings the beauty of dance and awareness of Latinx culture to northern neighbors with touring starting in Canada in mid-September and continuing throughout October to Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Connecticut, and the tri-state area at the end of the tour.

This year’s community celebration, Celebración Latina, will take place on Sunday, October 15, from 1:00 pm (EST) to 5:00 pm (EST). Family members of all ages are invited to join the celebration on Ballet Hispánico Way at West 89th Street from Amsterdam Avenue to the front door of Ballet Hispánico’s headquarters for live music, dancing, and food from local vendors on the street and, inside the headquarters, for performances by the professional Company and students from the School of Dance, free dance classes and more.

Ballet Hispánico’s signature conversation series, exploring the interconnections of the arts, social justice, and Latinx cultures, returns with Stonewall Diálogos: Creating Safe Spaces celebrating LGBTQIA+ Latinx Heritage. This annual event will take place on Tuesday, September 19 at the Stonewall Inn, 53 Christopher Street, at 5:30 pm (EST).

For more information on all Hispanic Heritage Month programming, visit www.ballethispanico.org/hhm-2023.

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In his newest work, Vilaro, Artistic Director and Chief Executive Officer of Ballet Hispánico, is inspired by the exhibition Juan de Pareja, Afro-Hispanic Painter. The MetLiveArts commission, which features dancers from Ballet Hispánico, explores sancocho, or a mixed soup of cultures and diasporas, and will consider the assumptions experienced when witnessing people of color in white spaces in relation to the exoticized body and fixation on gestures and sensuality.

When Vilaro was named the artistic director in 2009, he became only the second person to head the company since its founding in 1970, and in 2015 was also named Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Vilaro has infused Ballet Hispánico’s legacy with a bold brand of contemporary dance that reflects America’s changing cultural landscape.

Vilaro’s philosophy of dance stems from a basic belief in the power of the arts to change lives, reflect and impact culture, and strengthen community. He considers dance to be a liberating, non-verbal language through which students, dancers, and audiences of all walks of life and diverse backgrounds, can initiate ongoing conversations about the arts, expression, identity, and the meaning of community.

The recipient of numerous awards and accolades, Vilaro was named one of 2023 Crain’s New York Business Notable LGBTQIA+ Leaders; received the Ruth Page Award for choreography in 2001; was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2016; and was awarded HOMBRE Magazine’s 2017 Arts & Culture Trailblazer of the Year.

The schedule of events includes open rehearsals on July 10, 3 PM – 5 PM (EST) and performances on July 13 at 1 PM – 3 PM (EST) and July 14 at 6 PM – 8 PM (EST) at The Robert Lehman Wing, court level at The Met Fifth Avenue.

For more information, visit https://www.metmuseum.org/events/programs/met-live-arts/ballet-hispanico-buscando-a-juan.

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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)

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