Elizabeth Kramer blogs about Amy Seiwert on WFPL.org  (click link to read)

The Courier-Journal – Feb. 23, 2010
Homecoming Dance: Seiwert Choreographs piece for Louisville Ballet

Kentucky Arts Council News Release
Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet

February 10, 2010                                    Contact: Ed Lawrence, Communications Director 
                                                                          502-564-3757, ext. 473 / ed.lawrence@ky.gov 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Arts leaders came from across the Commonwealth today to celebrate the public value of the arts and to thank legislators for their continued support of the Kentucky Arts Council.

State Rep. Darryl Owens presented the Louisville Ballet with a ceremonial check for $58,696 for a Kentucky Arts Partnership competitive grant awarded by the Kentucky Arts Council in July 2009. Dwight Hutton, executive director, accepted the check on behalf of the Louisville Ballet.

Kentucky Arts Partnership grants provide operational support to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations to ensure year-round arts activities and opportunities are available to Kentuckians.

 “The Louisville Ballet contributes greatly to the appeal of this city by providing in depth arts entertainment. Keeping organizations like the Louisville Ballet strong is imperative to economic development and tourism,” said Rep. Owens.

Sen. Gerald Neal, who could not attend, offered his congratulation by saying, “I am proud to say that my district is regional hub for the arts within the state and the region. The Louisville Ballet is an organization that represents the very best of the talents Louisville has to offer in performance, while providing exceptional opportunities for adults and young people to discover and improve their skills and talents.”

The Louisville Ballet produces exceptionally high quality dance performances for the community and region, bringing innovative new work to the stage as well as producing the classics with excitement and energy. The company also provides ballet training through its school and increases community understanding of the value of dance through educational outreach programs for all ages. 

The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Click on link below to download print-quality photos.

 Photo 1: http://artscouncil.ky.gov/ArtsDay/photos/LouBallet.jpg

Photo 1 Caption: L. to R. Lindy Casebier, deputy secretary, Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet; Rep. Darryl Owens; Dwight Hutton, executive director, Louisville Ballet; and Lori Meadows, executive director, Kentucky Arts Council.

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The Louisville Ballet School will host a special “Dance Your Heart’s Content” Valentine’s Party on Saturday, February 13th from 6:30 – 10 pm. Kids will dance, make arts & craft projects and enjoy a pizza party while parents  have a date night just in time for Valentine’s Day.  A fantastically, festive and fun event for children ages 3 and up.

Cost is only $20 per child and space is limited. Make your reservation today at school@louisvilleballet.org or call (502) 583-3150 x245.  Download a registration form at http://www.louisvilleballet.org/DanceSchool/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Valentines-Party-Registration.pdf.

Cold Virtues, choreography by Adam Hougland

This new production of the Nutcracker was spectacular! I was captivated from the beginning by a stunning and enigmatic set. The dancers performed with admiration, full of energy and electricity. Maestro Dunner was an assured leader, coaxing a pristine sound from the orchestra. Congratulations to Bruce and the entire company.

Bravo tutti!

Daniel Gilliam, Station Manager
Classical 90.5 – Louisville’s Fine Arts Station

Hear more from Maestro Dunner and Daniel Gilliam at http://www.wuol.org/2009/12/15/louisville-ballet-3/

December 5, 2009
The Kentucky Center

6:00 pm- Festivities begin with heavy hors d’oeuvres, host bar, and silent auction.
7:30 pm – World Premiere performance of the Brown-Forman Nutcracker
10:00 pm – Continue the celebration and dancing with a champagne toast and party on the Whitney Hall stage with artists of the Company.

Tickets are $150 for the Grand Celebration and Performance.

For more information or to purchase tickets, email info@louisvilleballet.org

or call 583-3150, ext. 231.

The Brown-Forman Nutcracker

It’s that time of year …. join us for our annual Holiday Open House on Friday, November 20th from 6 – 8 pm at our downtown studios – 315 East Main St.  This event is free and open to the public. 

You’ll get to enjoy a sneak peek  of the all-new Brown-Forman Nutcracker (a rehearsal) followed by some delicious holiday treats.  Our fantastic Nutcracker Boutique will also be open during the open house so you can pick up gifts for the dance-lover or Nutcracker fan on your shopping list!

Call (502) 583-2623 to reserve your spot today!

Choreographers’ Showcase just one day away.  Named one of LEO Weeklies Staff Picks for the Week, don’t miss this chance to see some of the region’s best emerging choreographers premiere new work on the incredible dancers of the Louisville Ballet!

General admission tickets are just $20.  Call (502) 584-7777, buy on-line at www.kentuckycenter.org or purchase in person at The Kentucky Center.  Tickets will also be sold at the door (if available).

Principal dancer and choreographer Mikelle Bruzina and accomplished musician and composer Ben Sollee have been working for almost a year on the upcoming world premiere of Sansei (which debuts this week-end as part of the Choreographers’ Showcase). These two talented artists, both Lexington folks, have been friends and fans of each other’s work for several years, but this is the first time they’ve gotten to work together on a ballet. Bruzina began developing Sansei after being awarded a Choo-San Goh Award in Choreography. The work on this original score with Sollee represents almost a year of collaboration.

Don’t miss seeing the world premiere of Sansei and hearing Ben Sollee’s incredible new piece of music!

Sollee and Bruzina