News release from the Fort Wayne Sister Cities International:
FWSCI sponsors Fort Wayne Ballet’s opening concert
(September 20, 2015) – Fort Wayne Sister Cities International (FWSCI) is proud to co-sponsor the opening of the Fort Wayne Ballet’s 59th season with performances on October 1 & 2, 2015, at 7:30 p.m. at the Arts United Center, 303 E. Main Street, Fort Wayne. Through the work of the FWSCI Long-Range Planning and Plock Committees, the Fort Wayne Ballet will dance to Chopin’s Mazurkas, originally choreographed by famed Mexican-American choreographer José Limón. Tickets are available through ArtsTix online or by calling 260-422-4226. There will be a Talk Back after the October 1 performance with leaders of FWSCI about the Mazurkas, FWSCI’s student exchange program and their anniversary. On October 2, there will be a Talk Back about the Lacrymosa dance piece with Kim Sagamore of the Joffrey Ballet and with the family of the choreographer, Edward Stierle.
This year, FWSCI has been celebrating the 25th anniversary of sisterhood with Plock, Poland. The Fort Wayne Ballet joins the celebration with their performance of Mazurkas accompanied by pianist Nikolay Todorinov, who holds a master’s degree in piano performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. Also appearing will be the Heartland Sings performing Lacrymosa d’Amore from Mozart’s Requiem.
Mexican-born dancer and choreographer, José Limón (1908-1972), immigrated to California with his family and later formed his own dance troupe in New York City. Limón was the first to take advantage of a U.S. State Department International Exchange Program. After the war, Limón took his New York City troupe to perform in Poland as cultural ambassadors. Limón reportedly believed the Polish people had great strength of character and spirit. While in Poland, Limón visited the childhood home of Polish composer and pianist Fryderyk Chopin (1810-1849). While there, he heard a piano concert of Chopin melodies. Limón later choreographed some of these tender, energetic and spirited melodies into a piece that he called Mazurkas. Chopin wrote almost 70 Mazurkas all based on Polish folk music and dances.
In August of this year, Sister Cities invited Sarah Stackhouse to come to Fort Wayne to work with the Fort Wayne Ballet for two weeks. Stackhouse was Limón’s principal dancer and partner for many years in New York City. She refined Limón’s Mazurkas and taught it to the Fort Wayne dancers.
FWSCI will have a display set up in the Arts United Center lobby with informational brochures. For more information about FWSCI, visit: www.FortWayneSisterCities.net, which connects to their Facebook page.
What: Sister Cities Sponsors Fort Wayne Ballet’s Opening Concert
When: Thursday, October 1, 7:30 p.m. and Friday, October 2, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Arts United Center, 303 E. Main Street, Fort Wayne
Cost: Regular Adult $30, Senior (65+) $25, Youth (11-18 yrs.) $15, child (3-10 yrs.) $10
About Fort Wayne Sister Cities International
FWSCI was established in 1976 and organized in 1983 as an Indiana corporation. FWSCI, a not-for-profit 501(c) (3) Corporation, is affiliated with Sister Cities International, headquartered in Washington, D.C. FWSCI’s mission is to globally advance friendship and peace through educational, cultural and economic exchanges.
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