Encore Atlanta

America’s longest continually operating ballet, and, one of Atlanta’s premier institutions has a big year coming up. Atlanta Ballet, known for always breaking ground and setting new trends is updating its exciting 2009-2010 Season. Celebrating its 80th year with a line-up of shows at the Cobb Energy Centre that include beloved favorites and company premieres

Company premieres set for the season include The Magic Flute (October 15 – 24), Pinocchio (one- hour family performances October 24 – 25), The Four Seasons with the 80th Anniversary Celebration (March 25 – 28), and Sheer Exhilaration, an evening of mixed repertoire (May 6 – 9). These new performances are sure to create a season you won’t want to miss. February 4 – 14, Atlanta Ballet will bring back to the stage the beloved classic fairytale, Cinderella. A perfect romance just in time for Valentines!

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker will be celebrating 50 years with this year’s performances at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, December 11 – 27. Atlanta Ballet is also excited to announce the return of the wild and crazy Nutty Nutcracker (December 20).

This hilarious recreation of everyone’s favorite holiday story benefits the Atlanta Ballet’s Dancer’s Resource Fund. “You will have to come and see for yourself,” says Atlanta Ballet Dancer, John Welker, “I can promise you that it will be the best Nutty Nutcracker you’ll see this year.”

This season is filled with remarkable performances never before performed by the Atlanta Ballet as well as beloved favorites. Make sure to be a part of our exciting season, as Atlanta Ballet celebrates its 80th Anniversary. Season ticket packages range $84 to $360 and are still on sale. For current patrons, Atlanta Ballet staff will be on hand in the lobby throughout the run of Don Quixote, May 7 through the 16th at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. To order season tickets, call 404-892-3303, Monday-Friday, 10am–5pm or visit www.atlantaballet.com.

After two years of service, Barry C. Hughson, is resigning from his position as the Atlanta Ballet’s executive director. He will finish out the current season in Atlanta before taking the helm of the Boston Ballet, the fifth-largest dance company in America, on June 1.

“My wife and I have loved our time in Atlanta, and we will miss this amazing company, the city, and the dear friends we have made here,” Hughson stated. “Atlanta has a treasure in the Atlanta Ballet, and I am proud to have been able to make a contribution to this remarkable legacy that began nearly 80 years ago.” The father of a young child, Hughson also is looking forward to the move to Massachusetts, which will put him near the rest of his New England-based family.

During his tenure, Hughson helped move the company to the Cobb Energy Performance Arts Center and engineered the sale of its West Peachtree building, effectively eliminating Atlanta Ballet’s accumulated debt. Hughson also was instrumental in bringing live music back to the ballet and developing the $14.8 million “Choreographing Our Future” fundraising campaign, which, to-date, has raised $11.2 million.

“Barry has accomplished so much in his time here,” stated Sandy Rose, chairman of the ballet’s board of trustees. “While we will miss him, he is leaving us in a unique position of strength as we move the ballet forward, and for that, we are deeply grateful.”

Mary Ann Treger wrote this heartfelt elegy to the now-defunct Baltimore Opera.

“If we want our arts organizations to survive,” she writes, “we must take action.” She’s personally vowed to be a better friend to her local art museum, art galleries and symphony.

I think it’s a great lesson to learn. If we don’t love our local arts institutions (The High, MOCA-GA, Youngblood, VSA Arts, Fernbank, etc.), the scrappy theater companies (7 Stages, New Street Arts/Push Push, Synchronicity, Dad’s Garage, etc.), even the “established” ones (The Alliance, Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera, Fox Theatre, et. al.), they may start to disappear — casualties of this economic environment.

True, we’re all tightening our belts. But many theaters, museums and dance companies are offering their own “stimulus” packages of discounts, two-for-ones or special previews. And art offers a welcome distraction from economic turmoil and trepidation about the future. Plus, it brings us together in a way that television and the Internet cannot.

Pablo Picasso once said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the dust settling with each stock market plunge, try liberating your soul with exposure to something sublime at the nearest gallery or theater.

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s second classical music series at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre at Encore Park will open on June 20, 2009, with excerpts from Barber of Seville and Carmina Burana. Music Director Robert Spano will conduct the orchestra as it plays the first of eight concerts in its new, 12,000-seat summer home in Alpharetta.

Last year’s inaugural season attracted classical music fans from all over North Georgia. “After a successful opening season last year, we are thrilled to once again be part of this exciting venue that brings all genres of music to the north side of the city,” stated Jeff Mango, president of the Georgia/Alabama region for Verizon Wireless. “The venue has already become an integral part of the community, and we look forward to inviting families, visitors and the greater community out to experience amazing musical performances in a fantastic, outdoor setting.”

Prior to the shows, Top of the Lawn conversations with ASO Insider Ken Meltzer introduce audiences to the orchestra’s musicians and gives them historical context on the evening’s program. Live video feeds on screens to either side of the stage broadcast a pre-concert show and live interviews of guest artists and ASO musicians during intermission. (Audiences are invited to text-message questions during the first half of the evening.)

For more information, call 404-733-5010 or visit vswamp.com.

The oldest continuously operating professional ballet company in America, Atlanta Ballet also is one of the country’s most daring, continuously pushing the envelope by matching daring young choreographers with unorthodox musical artists to create brave new works like the Big Boi collaboration big and the Indigo Girls-scored Shed Your Skin. For the ballet’s 80th anniversary season, however, they’re featuring progressive choreographers who prefer to play with classical music scores.

The season kicks off with a tribute to innovative Artistic Director John McFall. On Oct. 22-25, 2009, the 80th Anniversary Celebration at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre will celebrate McFall’s 15th year at the helm with special appearances from guest artists and Atlanta Ballet favorites.

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker, returns to the Fox Theatre from Dec. 11-27. The ballet’s traditional gift to Atlanta features hundreds of local children and is the best illustration of the ballet’s commitment to developing not only local talent, but also introducing children to the magic of dance.

In 2010, Atlanta Ballet returns to the Cobb Energy Centre Feb. 4-13 with a daring new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, which puts its protagonists in a post-millennium setting where the TV-addicted Tamino and a punky Queen of the Night battle the evil philosopher Sarastro. Choreography is by Mark Godden, who has been hailed by Ballet Magazine for his ability to incorporate “the secrets we reveal and conceal, the contradictions that unsettle and enliven us.” For the kids, The Princess Suite — a ballet filled with classical princesses who triumph over adversity and live happily ever after — plays four special matinees between Feb. 13 and 14.

The Atlanta Ballet’s 80th season ends with two romantic classics: Four Seasons (March 25-28) and Lady of the Camellias (May 6-16). Atlanta Ballet will be the first company outside of the National Ballet of Canada to bring Vivaldi’s musical exploration of “everyman’s” journey from cradle to grave to the stage. Choreography is by James Kudelka, known for his exceptional ability to bring psychological nuances to dance.

Val Caniparoli’s take on Chopin’s romantic piano compositions vividly portray Lady of the Camellias’ tragic themes of betrayal, revenge and sacrifice. When the ballet premiered in Boston in 2004, the critic from the Boston Herald wrote, “Why have we had to wait so long to see a ballet by this gifted choreographer?” Expect to see inventive partnering and “a ballet of extremes, veering from the giddy life of Parisian salons and ballrooms to the utter bleakness of the heroine’s lonely death.”

Season ticket packages are now on sale and range from $54-$361. For more information, call 404-892-3303 or visit atlantaballet.com.

The oldest continuously operating professional ballet company in America, Atlanta Ballet also is one of the country’s most daring, continuously pushing the envelope by matching daring young choreographers with unorthodox musical artists to create brave new works like the Big Boi collaboration big and the Indigo Girls-scored Shed Your Skin. For the ballet’s 80th anniversary season, however, they’re featuring progressive choreographers who prefer to play with classical music scores.

The season kicks off with a tribute to innovative Artistic Director John McFall. On Oct. 22-25, 2009, the 80th Anniversary Celebration at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre will celebrate McFall’s 15th year at the helm with special appearances from guest artists and Atlanta Ballet favorites.

Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker, returns to the Fox Theatre from Dec. 11-27. The ballet’s traditional gift to Atlanta features hundreds of local children and is the best illustration of the ballet’s commitment to developing not only local talent, but also introducing children to the magic of dance.

In 2010, Atlanta Ballet returns to the Cobb Energy Centre Feb. 4-13 with a daring new production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, which puts its protagonists in a post-millennium setting where the TV-addicted Tamino and a punky Queen of the Night battle the evil philosopher Sarastro. Choreography is by Mark Godden, who has been hailed by Ballet Magazine for his ability to incorporate “the secrets we reveal and conceal, the contradictions that unsettle and enliven us.” For the kids, The Princess Suite — a ballet filled with classical princesses who triumph over adversity and live happily ever after — plays four special matinees between Feb. 13 and 14.

The Atlanta Ballet’s 80th season ends with two romantic classics: Four Seasons (March 25-28) and Lady of the Camellias (May 6-16). Atlanta Ballet will be the first company outside of the National Ballet of Canada to bring Vivaldi’s musical exploration of “everyman’s” journey from cradle to grave to the stage. Choreography is by James Kudelka, known for his exceptional ability to bring psychological nuances to dance.

Val Caniparoli’s take on Chopin’s romantic piano compositions vividly portray Lady of the Camellias’ tragic themes of betrayal, revenge and sacrifice. When the ballet premiered in Boston in 2004, the critic from the Boston Herald wrote, “Why have we had to wait so long to see a ballet by this gifted choreographer?” Expect to see inventive partnering and “a ballet of extremes, veering from the giddy life of Parisian salons and ballrooms to the utter bleakness of the heroine’s lonely death.”

Season ticket packages are now on sale and range from $54-$361. For more information, call 404-892-3303 or visit atlantaballet.com.

Are you still in the V-day mood? Head over to 7 Stages Theatre for the award-winning production the Vagina Monologues, February 20-22. This year’s event features the companion piece, “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer,” as well as a silent auction benefiting the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Power to the Women of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Visit Vday.org for information on how you can help end violence against women and girls. Tickets are available at Ticketalternative.com or by phone: (877) 725-8849. 7 Stages Theatre, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta.

Are you still in the V-day mood? Head over to 7 Stages Theatre for the award-winning production the Vagina Monologues, February 20-22. This year’s event features the companion piece, “A Memory, A Monologue, A Rant and A Prayer,” as well as a silent auction benefiting the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Power to the Women of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Visit Vday.org for information on how you can help end violence against women and girls. Tickets are available at Ticketalternative.com or by phone: (877) 725-8849. 7 Stages Theatre, 1105 Euclid Ave., Atlanta.

Last Saturday night, we had a girls’ night out and saw Twilight at the Fox Theatre. Needless to say, it was a hoot. Three thousand girls howled every time “Edward Cullen” pouted or was about to kiss “Bella Swan.” I got to see how vampires “glisten like diamonds” on one of the largest movie screens in Atlanta. It was delightful to experience the Fox as the grand movie palace it was designed to be.

By now, you’ve probably missed Coca-Cola’s impromptu movie series, which filled in some dates left by the cancellation of Tarzan. But, you’re not to late to catch the Richard Burton/Elizabeth Taylor epic Cleopatra in all its glory. It plays Monday, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. and tickets are on sale now. General admission seats are $10; tickets for a pre-show wine-tasting are $15. And, during movie nights, the theater is surrounded by plenty of $5 parking. If you haven’t seen a movie at the Fox, don’t wait until Coca-Cola’s film series picks back up in the summer, go go go now! You won’t be sorry, I promise.

If you need help getting fit, here’s some motivation for you: On Jan. 29, from noon to 1 p.m., you can join the cast of STOMP for a very special body percussion workout at Crunch Buckhead.

“We are so excited about having the ‘STOMPers’ here at Crunch. It’s a great opportunity for participants to learn the moves from the actual cast,” stated Jennifer Renfroe, Crunch’s regional group fitness director. Body percussion classes will continue to be held (without the cast) every Thursday from noon to 1 p.m. until Crunch’s winter schedule ends in March.

Theater of the Stars presents STOMP at the Fox Theatre from Jan. 27-Feb. 1. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.