NJ Ballet with a Latin Beat January 28, 2012

Union County PAC & NJ Ballet present
New Jersey Ballet's
BALLET WITH A LATIN BEAT II
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
Ballet with a Latin Beat II is a fresh new celebration of Latino culture with works
representing Cuba, Brazil and Mexico. The evening will feature two works by
Cuban-born Pedro Ruiz, whose works are staples of Ballet Hispánico in New York. Danzón is a contemporary interpretation of the old style of Latin Ballroom dancing
and the misty and romantic Guajira recalls life in the Cuban countryside
danced to an insistent Afro-Cuban beat.

Among the program’s other highlights, Suite Huasteca is a contemporary celebration
of the golden age of Spanish Baroque by New York-based choreographer David
Fernandez. Music by celebrated Mexican composer/musician Jesus Echevarria.
The vivid sun-drenched colors of Mexico come through in the projected art backdrops
by contemporary Mexican artist Gabriela Rosado Rivera. Suite Huasteca
was developed with the support of the Mexican Cultural Institute in New York
and the office of the Consul General of Mexico.

Tamoia introduces Brazilian-born choreographer Humberto Teixeira to the NJB
audience. His ballet a high-voltage contemporary piece set in the Amazon rainforest.
Teixeira weaves together influences from the variety of cultures and music from Europe,
Africa and the indigenous people of the forest.



Also on the program, one of NJB’s great crowd-pleasers, Para Dois
(pas de deux in Portuguese) is a high-energy romp inspired by Brazilian
street dancing. It was co-choreographed by NJB dancer Junio Teixeira, who
performs the piece with Ana Luiza Luizi.