Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The name "Ballet Hispanico" might bring to mind visions of Hispanic ballerinas in tutus performing arabesques and pirouettes, but the dance company's program at Stephen F. Austin State University on Tuesday, Jan. 31, will actually fuse ballet, modern and Latin dance forms.

Recognized throughout the world as the leading dance representative of contemporary Hispanic culture in the United States, the troupe will perform at 7:30 p.m. in W.M. Turner Auditorium as part of the SFA College of Fine Arts' University Series.

"This should be a top quality performance with something for everyone," said Sylvia Bierschenk, SFA arts information director. "The company consistently receives rave reviews."

According to New York Newsday, "No one struts, kicks, spins, leaps and gyrates the way they do."

And it's not just the dancing that is spectacular. According to a recent review in the Chicago Sun-Times, "Everything about Ballet Hispanico is smashingly theatrical--from the stunning individuality and flamboyant, expressive style of its dancers, to its use of sets, lighting, costumes and sound."

In an interview for the New York magazine, artistic director and company founder Tina Ramirez said, "Whatever ballet we do, we try to reach out to the audience so they can understand who we (Hispanics) are by our beauty, our love of color, our music."

Ballet Hispanico will open the evening with "Eternamente Y Un Día" ("Forever and a Day"), choreographed by Peter Pucci to traditional Mexican folk songs as arranged by the Kronos Quartet. According to The New York Times, the dance "is an ingenious abstraction of Mexican motifs, from Aztec ruins to a piñata party to a funeral."

The unique culture of the Gypsy or "Roma" people is captured in the troupe's second number, "Bury Me Standing," choreographed by Ramón Oller. The music is drawn from traditional folk songs and contemporary world music, and the dance portrays the emotional essence of the Roma people. The Chicago Sun-Times called the ballet a "masterful and compelling work of dance theater."

The company will close the evening with "Club Havana," choreographed by Pedro Ruiz. According to the New York Times, the dance "is a silky, sexy joy . . . (with) sensuality and rhythms of Latin social dance forms in choreography set to a glorious fusion of Cuban, jazz and big-band swing music. Mr. Ruiz's sophisticated, endlessly inventive partnering moves, timing, and stage patterns take 'Club Havana' to another level."

In its 35 years of existence, Ballet Hispanico has performed for over two million people, appearing in such venues as The John F. Kennedy Center, The Chicago Theatre, Houston's Wortham Center, the Anneberg Center in Philadelphia and Wolf Trap.

Included among Ballet Hisapanico's international appearances are a two-week engagement at the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy, in 2004; a weeklong engagement at the Zurich Summer Festival in 2001; a 1998 tour of Spain where the company was featured for two weeks at Festival Grec in Barcelona; and a 1993 tour of South America.

Prior to the Nacogdoches performance, the College of Fine Arts will host a 6:45 p.m. reception in Griffith Gallery honoring the event's corporate sponsor, Glaucoma Consultants of East Texas. At 7 p.m., there will be a brief informative talk on the performance.

Tickets range from $30 to $15, with discounts available for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

For more information about Ballet Hispanico, please visit www.ballethispanico.org.