NASHVILLE BALLET PRESENTS SPELLBINDING PRODUCTION OF PAUL VASTERLING'S DRACULA THIS WEEKEND

The Highly-Anticipated Double Feature of Paul Vasterling’s Dracula and George Balanchine’s Serenade Returns to TPAC October 3 - 6

Nashville Ballet’s highly-anticipated production of Paul Vasterling’s Dracula with George Balanchine’s Serenade will return to Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) Polk Theater this weekend, October 3 - 6, under the artistic direction of Nick Mullikin.

For the first time in nine years, Nashville Ballet will once again present the spellbinding allure of Dracula with the elegance of George Balanchine's Serenade for a double bill that transcends the ordinary. The audience will be swept into the dark, passionate world of Dracula, a tale of immortal yearning, rich in love, lust, and eternal desire, set against a backdrop of Gothic mystery. In contrast, Serenade is a serene masterpiece, a testament to the beauty of classical ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky's haunting Serenade for Strings in C, all performed live by The Nashville Symphony. This double feature promises an unforgettable blend of a thrilling narrative and exquisite dance.

Nashville Ballet has announced that Owen Thorne will play the role of Dracula, while Brett Sjoblom and James Lankford will play the role of Jonathan, and Michael Burfield and Garritt McCabe will play Renfield. Sarah Pierce and Jamie Kopit will play the role of Mina, while Claudia Monja and Marissa Stark will play the role of Lucy.

"We are thrilled to kick off our season productions with the illustrious Dracula, rich with mystery and intrigue, alongside the beauty of Serenade," says Nick Mullikin, Artistic Director & CEO. “As we present these two performances, weaving together beautifully contrasting storylines, we also celebrate the depth and growth of Nashville Ballet, inviting audiences to experience the vibrant future of dance in our community."

Tickets are still available to enter the haunting world of Dracula in this riveting interpretation of a classic tale during this limited production. Tickets are on sale now and start at $58 at NashvilleBallet.com, TPAC box office, or by phone at 615-297-2966 x 710.  NOTE: This production contains mature content and is intended for adult audiences (recommended 13 years old and older).

A complete schedule of performances and more information about Nashville Ballet can be found at NashvilleBallet.com.



NASHVILLE BALLET AND BLOOD ASSURANCE PARTNER TO SAVE LIVES ACROSS MIDDLE TENNESSEE IN SEPTEMBER

Blood Assurance to Host Over 120 Blood Drives Next Month

Blood Donors Receive a 20% Discount on Tickets for

Nashville Ballet’s Dracula at TPAC

Nashville Ballet and Blood Assurance will team up to help save lives with a special promotion in September. Blood Assurance will host over 120 blood drives across Middle Tennessee next month and, as an incentive to drive more blood donations, donors will receive a 20% discount on tickets for Nashville Ballet’s season opener – Paul Vasterling’s Dracula with George Balanchine’s Serenade at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center from October 3 - 6.

Statistics show that every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. Blood donation saves the lives of patients of all ages – from accident or burn victims, surgery and organ transplant patients, to those battling disease. 

Blood Assurance’s mission is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components, in a cost-effective manner, to every area patient in need. Donating blood is a safe, simple and rewarding experience, usually taking less than an hour, that makes a huge difference in the lives of others.

Nashville Ballet encourages Middle Tennesseans to donate blood and hopes donors will take advantage of their 20% off ticket offer to see the spellbinding production of Dracula.   Under the artistic direction of Nick Mullikin, audiences will delve into the dark, passionate world of Paul Vasterling’s Dracula, a ballet rich in love, lust, and eternal desire, set against a backdrop of Gothic mystery. Dracula is sure to captivate patrons with its tale of immortal yearning. In contrast, George Balanchine’s Serenade is a serene masterpiece, a testament to the beauty of classical ballet, danced to Tchaikovsky's haunting Serenade for Strings in C3 played live by The Nashville Symphony.  This double feature promises an unforgettable blend of a thrilling narrative and exquisite dance.  *This production contains mature content and is intended for adult audiences (recommend 13 years old and older).

The top mobile blood drive donation locations next month include:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center at 1211 Medical Center Dr, Nashville, TN 37232 will host several blood drives during these dates below from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day:

9/2/2024

9/5/2024

9/12/2024

9/13/2024

9/23/2024
9/27/2024

Other locations include:

9/2/2024 - 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Sumner County YMCA at 102 Bluegrass Commons Hendersonville, TN 37075

9/3/2024 - 11 a.m. 4 p.m. 

Lexus of Nashville at 2010 Rosa L Parks Blvd, Nashville, TN 37228

9/4/2024 - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lexus Cool Springs at 1636 Westgate Circle, Brentwood, TN 37027

9/5/2024 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tristar Northcrest at 100 Northcrest Dr, Springfield, TN 37172

9/6/2024 - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tristar Southern Hills Medical Center at 391 Wallace Road, Nashville, TN 37211

9/6/2024 - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tristar Summit Medical Center at 5655 Frist Blvd., Hermitage, TN 37076

9/6/2024 - 6 a.m. - 10 a.m.

YMCA Brentwood at 8207 Concord Rd. Brentwood, TN 37027

9/7/2024 - 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Nashville Zoo at 3777 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211

9/9/2024 - 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Robertson County YMCA at 3332 Tom Austin Hwy Springfield, TN 37172

9/10/2024 - 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Tristar StoneCrest Medical Center at 200 Stonecrest Blvd, Smyrna, TN 37167

9/13/2024 - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Mainstead at Century Farms at 2141 Century Farms Pkwy, Antioch, TN 37013

9/24/2024 - 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Bone & Joint Institute at 3000 Edward Curd Lane, Franklin, TN 37067

9/27/2024 - 10:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Costco Hendersonville at 1101 Forest Retreat Road, Hendersonville, TN 37075

9/26/2024 - 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Stokes Brown Public Library at 405 White Street, Springfield, TN 37172

For more information about these and other blood drive events, visit www.bloodassurance.org.

NASHVILLE BALLET TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL NASHVILLE DANCE FESTIVAL NEXT MONTH

Dynamic Dance Showcase Slated for July 19th at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University.

Nashville Ballet proudly announces the second annual Nashville Dance Festival is slated to take place on Friday, July 19, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts at Belmont University will serve as the enchanting backdrop for this community-centric celebration that will showcase a dynamic range of classic and contemporary live performances.

The 2024 event features special performances by Nashville Ballet company dancers who will take the stage to present a rich mosaic of dance. In addition, members of NB2, Nashville Ballet's official second company, will join dancers across the nation including esteemed guests from Lines Ballet and Collage Dance Collective, alongside students from School of Nashville Ballet's Choreographic Intensive.   

““The Nashville Dance Festival is an ideal opportunity to showcase the range of artists Nashville Ballet has to offer, and innovative works by some of today’s most talented artists,” said Nashville Ballet Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin. “We will not only celebrate the vast creativity within our dance community, but fully engage audiences by providing a unique insight into the art of dance itself. We want attendees to witness the passion and collaboration our choreographers bring to each distinct piece of work.” ”

— Nashville Ballet Artistic Director and CEO Nick Mullikin

Festival attendees will also get a sneak peek of Nashville Ballet’s upcoming 2024-25 Season through the performances on stage, a pre-performance conversation with Artistic Director Nick Mullikin and a stunning display of costumes and accessories. Witness the future of dance in Nashville this July, where tradition meets innovation, in an unforgettable celebration of movement, creativity and community.

Nashville Dance Festival is sponsored in part by Polsinelli Law Firm. Tickets

for the event start at $30 and are on sale now at www.NashvilleBallet.com.