​​
March 16, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts
Richland, MI
A celebration of dance ranging from 1869 to 2024. Our program opens with Java Jive, a light-hearted piece choreographed by Artistic Director Emeritus; Cathleen Huling. The piece is set in the 1940’s complete with poodle skirts and café tables with music by The Manhattan Transfer. The first half of our program closes with a world premiere by guest choreographer; Jeff Wolfe from Chicago. The piece is titled Fallen and is a contemporary work which stretches our ballet dancers to explore more grounded and fragmented movements. This piece is sure to be a highlight on the program.
Our second half opens with two classical ballet pieces being co-created with several dancers from our ensemble. Allowing our dancers to help with choreography provides an opportunity for these aspiring young artists to research & explore the history and complexities of these classical works composed by famous musicians such as Pyotr IlyichTchaikovsky and Igor Stravinsky. These dancers will do their own research and expand the depth of their understanding as it relates to the art form of dance in a safe and comfortable environment, working with their peers in the ballet studio.
Our program concludes with the reinterpretation of Don Quixote Act III by current Artistic Director; Betty Kondo. Don Quixote is a ballet choreographed by Marius Petipas set to the passionate and exhilarating music of Ludwig Minkus. The complete pas de deux in the third act of Don Quixote will be performed by Alexandra Meister-Upleger and her partner, professional dancers from Grand Rapids Ballet. “Dance throughout the Years” is a program paying homage to the past and making way for the future of legendary dance. The performance will be on Saturday, March 16th, 4:30pm at Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts in Richland, MI.
​
​
​
Live Concerts
BAE presents two concerts each season that include full-length ballets (The Magical Toy Shop, The Skaters, Pas de Quatre, Les Sylphides, The 12 Dancing Princesses, Cinderella, Peter and the Wolf, Red Shoes, Aladdin’s Magic Lamp, La Boutique Fantasque, and Café Parisian) and mixed-repertoire performances with professional dancers and choreographers that often feature excerpts from classical ballets (Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Rodeo, and Paquita). Every other year, BAE produces a full-length Nutcracker in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra (KSO) and the Kalamazoo Children’s Chorus, featuring professional dancers in principal roles.
BAE has performed in numerous community events including Michigan Youth Arts Festival, KSO Family Discovery and Youth Concert Series, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts’ Sunday Funday, Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Concerts, and Festival of Trees. BAE also works closely with area artists and arts organizations in other collaborative events and reaches out to the community, performing for area schools, hospitals, senior residences, and local organizations.
2023-24 Season
The Nutcracker
2:00pm and 7:00pm
November 18, 2023
Miller Auditorium
​
​
​Spring Concert
Dance throughout the Years
March 16, 2024 at 4:30 pm
Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts
Richland, MI
​
​