March 28, 2009 Performance: Ferdinand the Bull Location: Downtown Library Performance Time: 10:30 & 11:30 AM	April 1, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Goodlettsville Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM
April 4, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Looby Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM	April 6, 2009 Performance:  Meet Sleeping Beauty Story time Location: Thompson Lane Library Performance Time: 10:30 PM
April 8, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: North Library Performance Time: 10:00 AM	April 11, 2009 Performance: Big City Bop Location: Downtown Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM & 11:30 AM
April 11, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Hermitage Library Performance Time: 10:00 AM	April 13, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Old Hickory Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM
April 15, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Green Hills Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM	April 16, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Highland Garden Club Speakers Beureau Performance Time: 10:45 AM
April 17, 2009 Performance: Ferdinand The Bull Location: Gallatin Arts Council Performance Time: 7:00PM	April 20, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location:Richland Park Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM
April 22, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Southeast Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM	April 25, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location:Edmondson Pike Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM
April 27, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Bellevue Library Performance Time: 10:00 AM	April 28, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Watkins Park Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM
April 29, 2009 Performance: Meet Sleeping Beauty Story Time Location: Hadley Park Library Performance Time: 10:30 AM

We want everyone who attends a live Nashville Ballet performance to thoroughly enjoy that performance. Below are a few items that, if followed, will make the experience a good one for all concerned.

Please remember that this is not a movie. The people on the stage can hear and see you. Your reactions fuel them. Your negative actions can also affect them. The performers and all those people behind the scenes have worked very hard to create entertainment for you. Please respect the hard work that has gone into the ballet.

Also remember that the people sitting near you do not want to hear your conversation with your friend. They want to enjoy the performance.

No cell phones. Please turn them off before the performance and, should you forget, do not speak on them during the performance. If you must take an emergency call, leave the performance space and only begin speaking to your caller once you are away from the rest of the audience.

Please do not enter or leave the auditorium during a performance unless it is an emergency. Please arrive before the performance begins.

Candy and cough drop wrappers make a lot of noise! Please don't unwrap them during the performance.

Please sit still. Don't fidget or kick the seat in front of you.

Cameras and recording devices are prohibited by the Nashville Ballet. If you would like a picture of or with a dancer, there will be an opportunity for that after the performance.

Do laugh if you see something funny. Do applaud with enthusiasm in the appropriate places. Do tell all your friends what a great time you had, but wait until after the show! Remember, no talking while the dancers are performing!

Download from our library of ballet activites and games.

What are pointe shoes made out of?

Pointe shoes are worn by female dancers so that they can balance and turn on their toes. Originally starched satin slippers with a darned tip, pointe shoes enabled dancers to poise on the tips of their toes for only a moment. The fascination and popularity of dancing en pointe has caused the shoes to evolve into a more supportive structure. Made of satin and shaped like narrow slippers, they have no heel and there is no wood or metal in pointe shoes. The area covering the toes is made of layers of fabric glued together in the shape of an oblong "box" and hardened. The sole of the shoe is hard leather which lends slight support to the arch of the foot. Pointe shoes are worn two to three sizes smaller than street shoes. To keep them on tightly, dancers sew satin ribbons and elastic bands to the sides and tie them securely around their ankles. A pair of shoes cost approximately $70.00; Nashville Ballet's pointe shoe budget is $31,000 annually.

Why do dancers wear tutus?

A classical tutu has an average of 25 layers of tulle, a net-like material, which is cut into layers of differing lengths to help the tutu stand out from the ballerina's hips. They are designed to give ballerinas a light, airy look, as if they are floating when they move across the stage.

Why don't male dancers wear pants? Why tights?

Dancers used to wear heavy fabric robes and head dresses that greatly restricted their movement so male dancers began to wear short jackets and tights so their jumps could be higher. Dancers were able to discover and perform more difficult and athletic movements without so many clothes in the way. As ballet changed through the years, the costumes also became simpler. Today many ballets are performed in simple leotards and tights so that audiences can fully enjoy the shapes dancers' bodies create in motion.

Why don't dancers get dizzy when they turn?

Dancers learn a helpful trick called "spotting." Before they begin a turn, they choose something to focus on--a clock or door, for example. As they turn they try to keep their eyes focused on that object until they have to whip their head around quickly to find the spot again. This helps the dancer keep a steady balance during consecutive turns.