Ballet’s Largest Annual Fundraiser to Feature Inaugural Synergy Award and Televised Special
Country music star Jana Kramer is among a diverse group of artists to perform at Nashville Ballet’s largest annual fundraiser, Ballet Ball, at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Saturday, March 12. In the midst of the company’s 30th anniversary season, this year’s Ballet Ball entertainment will celebrate the richness and diversity of dance as well as Music City artists.
Kramer will perform her hit single I Got The Boy from her latest studio album, Thirty One. Nashville Ballet company dancer Christopher Stuart will choreograph an original piece to be presented alongside Kramer’s live performance featuring Nashville Ballet dancers.
“This is the first time I’ve ever participated in an event like this,” Kramer said. “I grew up in the ballet world, and this makes me feel as though it’s all come full circle. I can’t wait to celebrate this wonderful evening in our city that I love.”
Also slated for the night’s entertainment, Nashville Ballet will bring a piece of The Bluebird Cafe to Ballet Ball following its acclaimed collaboration during February’s Attitude series. Soulful singer/songwriter Karla Davis (American Idol, The Voice) will perform Dare to Dance Alone, and Victoria Banks will perform The Wheel.
In honor of the organization’s 30th anniversary season, Tia Sillers will be the inaugural recipient of the Nashville Ballet Synergy Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding creative contributions to inspire dance. Sillers will accept the award for her Grammy Award-winning song I Hope You Dance. She will perform the song live to original choreography by Stuart.
“Our 30th anniversary season is the perfect opportunity to honor the relationship between music and dance,” Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO, said. “Our wonderful co-chairs Mary Morgan Ketchel and Sharon Sandahl came up with this metaphor that sums up the award: A songwriter is to music as a choreographer is to dance; neither can achieve full potential without the other. Music is an incredible inspiration for dance, and this award recognizes the way in which one art form inspires another.”
For the first time in Ballet Ball history, the performance will be locally televised. In partnership with Nashville UpLink and Guestbooker, viewers can tune in to NewsChannel 5, Xfinity Channel 250 or Charter Communications Channel 182 on Thursday, March 17 at 9 p.m. to watch the Ballet Ball performance in its entirety.
Julie Stadler and David Medeiros of Dance Network, the first full-service network devoted entirely to dance programming, will round out the performance with a rhythm-style ballroom dance.
Tickets for Ballet Ball are by invitation only. Younger patrons can purchase tickets to the Ballet Ball’s Late Party, which features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a seat at the performance. Standard Late Party tickets are $150 per person. VIP Late Party tickets are available at $225 per person and include premium seating in Schermerhorn's exclusive loge boxes during the gala performance, complimentary refreshments and special name recognition.
Ballet Ball provides the necessary funding for Nashville Ballet’s Outreach & Education program, which introduced the art of dance to more than 43,000 children and families throughout Nashville and the surrounding area last year. This year’s Ballet Ball is co-chaired by Mary Morgan Ketchel and Sharon Sandahl.
For more information about Ballet Ball or to purchase tickets to the Late Party, please visit Nashville Ballet’s website.
About Nashville Ballet
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company, NB2 (a pre-professional training company), provide more than 75,000 arts experiences to adults and children annually through season performances and its Outreach & Education programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. School of Nashville Ballet brings world-class dance instruction to students age 2 to 70.
Nashville Ballet receives public funding from Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional private support provided by Ingram Charitable Trust, The Shubert Foundation, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, Caterpillar Financial, The HCA Foundation, The Memorial Foundation, Publix Super Market Charities, Dollar General, Nashville Predators Foundation, SunTrust Bank and hundreds of generous individuals who contribute to the Annual Fund.
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