For over fifty years, Ballet Hispánico has created a space where the overlooked, ignored, and unfamiliar are given prominence. This esteemed dance company is set to perform at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center on Saturday, March 2, with shows at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Their repertoire for the evening comprises works from five choreographers: Annabelle López Ochoa’s “Línea Recta”, “¡Si Señor! ¡Es Mi Hijo!” (excerpt) by Alberto Alonso, “Danse Creole” (excerpt) by Geoffrey Holder, “Club Havana – Caballo” by Pedro Ruiz, and “18+1” by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano.

The Legacy of Tina Ramírez

Founded by Tina Ramírez, recipient of the National Medal of the Arts, in 1970, Ballet Hispánico began as a dance school and community performance group aimed at voicing the Hispanic experience while dismantling stereotypes. Now led by choreographer Eduardo Vilaró, a former member of the troupe, the company continues to embody the extraordinary journey of a Latina immigrant providing arts access to a community. Vilaró, who directed the Luna Negra Dance Theatre in Chicago before rejoining Ballet Hispánico in 1985 and later becoming its artistic director in 2009 and CEO in 2015, sees the organization as a heroic example of artistic advocacy.

More Than a Dance Company

Ballet Hispánico transcends being merely a dance company; it aims to serve as a beacon for the Latino community, representing the largest Latinx/Hispanic cultural organization in the United States. It comprises three main programs: the Company, the School of Dance, and the Community Arts Partnerships. Their mission is to foster creativity and social awareness by providing art education access, uniting communities to celebrate and explore Latin cultures through dance productions and training.

National Recognition and Impact

As America’s leading Latin dance organization and a cultural treasure, Ballet Hispánico has spent the last fifty years bringing communities together to celebrate and delve into Latin cultures via pioneering dance performances, transformative dance training, and enduring community engagement experiences. Under the leadership of Vilaró, the organization continues to inspire creativity and social awareness, reinforcing its role as a beacon of artistic education and cultural equity.

Upcoming Performances and Event Information

Experience the magic of Ballet Hispánico at the following venues and dates:

Great Barrington Performance:
– Date: March 2, 2024
– Location: Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, 14 Castle Street, Great Barrington
– Showtimes: 3 p.m. | 8 p.m.
– Tickets: $34 – $84, with a $5 discount for Mahaiwe members and $15 tickets for patrons under 30 years old.

Sarasota Performances:
– Dates: March 8 – 11, 2024
– Location: FSU Center for the Performing Arts, 5555 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243
– Showtimes: March 8, 2024, at 7:30 PM; March 9, 2024, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; March 10, 2024, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; March 11, 2024, at 7:30 PM.

New York City Performances:
– Dates: April 25 – 28, 2024
– Location: New York City Center, 131 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019
– Showtimes: April 25, 2024, at 6:30 PM (Gala Performance); April 26, 2024, at 7:30 PM; April 27, 2024, at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM; April 28, 2024, at 2:00 PM.

For tickets and more information, visit Ballet Hispánico’s website.