Tag Archives: ballet

Grand Rapids Ballet School’s Junior Company present ‘Wizard of Oz’

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By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

The production of the ‘Wizard of Oz’ will run March 10-12 and 18-19. (Courtesy, Grand Rapids Ballet)

Grand Rapids Ballet School’s (GRBS) Junior Company is ready to fill the Peter Martin Wege Theatre stage with its performance, “Wizard of Oz.” The hour-and-a-half-long ballet is ideal for all Munchkins, young and old.

The ballet, with choreography by Junior Company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo, follows the story of the original book “The Wonderful Wizard of OZ” written by L. Frank Baum, yet follows the same storyline of the well-known movie, directed by Victor Fleming, throughout the ballet. Follow Dorothy as she travels to the Land of Oz, meets three faithful friends, confronts the Wizard of Oz, and fights off the Wicked Witch of the West.

  

“I am excited to see all of the GRBS Junior Company students showcase their talents as we bring this classic story to the stage,” Mosolygo said. “The students have been working hard the last two and a half months.”

Rehearsals for Wizard of Oz began in December. Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company members have been attending class weekly at Grand Rapids Ballet’s Meijer Royce Center for Dance, and in many cases, depending on the role they are cast as, rehearse multiple days per week leading up to the performance. “The production involves more than 50 dancers of the Junior Company. As you can imagine, it can be challenging at times to bring that big of a cast together,” Mosolygo said.

Premiered initially in 2018, Grand Rapids Ballet School Junior Company is excited to bring back this well know the classic tale. Although the props and set design are the same, you may see some differences in the choreography, “As I revisit the ballet, I do tweak each scene and make changes as we go along,” Mosolygo said, “the sets and the costumes were originally created when the premiere happened in 2018. I designed and built the sets myself, based on my interpretation of the story.”

 

GRBS Junior Company is hosting Dorothy & Friends’ Tea Party on Sunday, March 12, at The Rutledge on Ionia. At the events, families will make themed crafts, pose for the photo booth, and meet and greet with characters from the Wizard of Oz; along with having brunch.

 “Wizard of Oz” runs March 10-12 and 18-19, at Peter Martin Wege Theatre. Tickets are $20 online, via phone at 616-454-4771 ext. 110, or in person at GRB’s Box Office. Tickets to Dorothy & Friends’ Tea Party are available for $54 per person on the Grand Rapids Ballet’s website. 

Snapshots: Things to do this weekend

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Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.

Theoretical Physicist Albert Einstein, 1879-1955

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre opens its doors for the first time in a year. (Supplied)

Live Theater Anyone?

For the first time in a year, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has opened its doors. This weekend, April 9-11, and next, April 16-18, the company is hosting the finals for Ten for All Festival. Earlier this year, playwrights were invited to submit a 10-minute original play or musical. The six finalists, which have received a $100 cash prize for winning their category, will be performed for two weeks with the opportunity to earn the Audience Choice Award and winning an additional $100. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.grct.org.

https://vimeo.com/532988366

A Free Program

This spring, the Grand Rapids Ballet is offering its “Spring Break for Kids 2021: Peter and the Wolf” performance for free. The performance is available through April 11. Spring Break for Kids is tailored specifically for youngsters, and this year features the story of “Peter and the Wolf,” with music by Sergei Prokofiev. Hear (and see) the musicians of the Battle Creek Symphony led by music director Anne Harrigan and watch the music come alive in a brand-new staging, co-choreographed by Artistic Director James Sofranko and Ballet Master Dawnell Dryja. To get the Vinmo link to the performance, register your email at grballet.com.

Snag a Book

Recently a group of local writers released the anthology “Lost and Found,” featuring nine original stories including one by WKTV Managing Editor K.D. Norris. While it is listed as romance, author and contributor Diana Lloyd said the book has something for everyone. So get a head start on collecting up those summer reads by snagging a copy. The book is available on Amazon.

O Canada, O McFlurry

That is correct. That wonderful sweet treat that has become associated with the Golden Arches originated from a franchise in Bathhurst, New Brunswick in Canada. Not much is said as to why the location started offering the treat but by 1997, it was available at all McDonald locations and since then each country that has McDonald’s has created its own special McFlurry. In the United Kingdom, they enjoy the Cadbury Cream Egg McFlurry, while in Japan, it is all about the Matcha McFlurry which we understand can rival the green of the United State’s Shamrock shake.

GR Ballet junior company brings a little magic to March with ‘Beauty and the Beast’

Entertainment, ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
Video by Anna Devarenne

Grand Rapids Ballet Junior Company Artistic Director Attila Mosolygo admits that or most people, when you mention “Beauty and the Beast,” they immediately think of the Disney version.

The junior company’s “Beauty and the Beast” production, which opens today, is actually based on the book.

“It is all your favorite characters and the same storyline, but just slightly different from the Disney version,” Mosolygo said.

Belle—a bright, beautiful young woman—is taken prisoner by a beast in its castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the beast’s hideous exterior, allowing her to recognize the kind heart and soul of the true prince that hides on the inside.

“We did ‘Beauty and the Beast’ about five years ago and I thought it would be an appropriate time to visit an old favorite story with a brand new cast and some updated costumes and scenery,” Mosolygo said.

The show is about an hour long, making it perfect for families with small and older children, Mosolygo said, adding that “besides opening night all productions are matinees so it is a great time for families to come.”

So the only evening production is tonight, March 15, at 7:30 p.m. All other showtimes are 2 p.m. March 16 , 17, 23, and 24. All performances are at the Ballet’s Peter Martin Wege Theatre, 341 Ellsworth Ave. SW. Tickets that are available are $18. For tickets, visit grballet.com or call 616-454-4771, ext. 10.

The Weekend Edition: Things to do Nov. 25 – 27

3-bottom, Citizen Journalism, Entertainment, , , , ,

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

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’Twas the Night Before Christmas

The Creative Arts Repertoire Ensemble continues its holiday tradition with the annual presentation of the “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” ballet Thanksgiving weekend.

The original ballet, based on Clement C. Moore’s familiar poem and set to traditional holiday music, features mischievous mice, dancing stockings, magical toys and Santa with his prancing reindeer, all combining to create a wonderful hour of family entertainment.

 

Because the show is about an hour long, it is great for any age and a nice way to introduce younger children to the arts. Show times are 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 25; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 27, at East Grand Rapids Performing Arts Center, 2211 Lake Drive SE.

Tickets are $15/adults and $10/students. This show does sell out quickly. For tickets, go to careballet.org.

 

A nativity scene from Italy is part of the Meijer Gardens holiday display. (supplied)
A nativity scene from Italy is part of the Meijer Gardens holiday display. (supplied)

Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World

 

So you ate a lot of turkey over Thanksgiving and now are looking for a place to walk it off that does not necessarily involve shopping. Head over to the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, 1000 E. Beltline NE, which has opened its annual Christmas and Holiday Traditions Around the World.

 

The exhibit features more than 40 international trees and displays as well as the railway garden that meanders through four indoor garden spaces and features recreated Grand Rapids landmarks. There will be narratives and special displays from Iceland, Ghana, Germany and the countries and other counties and cultures.

 

The exhibit runs through Jan. 8. For more information, visit meijergardens.org.

 

straightnochaser

Have Another

The popular a cappella group Straight No Chaser returns to DeVos hall Friday, Nov. 25, for its “I’ll Have Another…World Tour.”

 

The North American leg — which celebrates the 20th anniversary of the cappella group’s foundation in 1996 and the first show at Indiana University — will be at 8 p.m. at DeVos Performance Hall, 303 Monroe Ave. NW.

 

The group became pYouTube sensation with is holiday performances. They have been touring since 2008 and in the past several years and in the past several years have made a departure from holiday music. This year, the group has returned to the holiday classics with its latest recording “I’ll have Another…Christmas Album.” The new album features a number of holiday classics, such as “All I Want for Christmas is You” and “Winter Wonderland,” along with such songs as “Run, Run Rudolph” and “To Christmas” (The Drinking Song).

 

Tickets for the Straight No Chaser concert are $34.50 – $64.50. The concert does sell out quickly. for more information or for tickets, visit devosperformancehall.com.

 

mlk9-e1471880123600A walk in the wintry woods

 

Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave. NW, is open year around and offers lots of seasonal opportunities.

 

Complete a self-guided hike using one of the center’s free, themed-trail day packs located at its Visitor Center or rent snowshoes for a different way to explore the nature center’s trails. There are also Blandford’s Heritage Buildings that allows visitors to take a trip back in time along with an opportunity to visit with the songbirds, birds of prey and mammals in the observation area.

 

Cost is $3 per person. Blandford Nature Center is open 9 a.m. — 5 p.m. Monday — Friday and noon — 5 p.m. Saturday. For more information about upcoming events and activities, visit blandfordnaturecenter.org.