Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre (PBDT), formerly known as the Media City Ballet Company since its formation in 2001 in Burbank, brings Dance in the USA to the Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East in Hollywood, on Friday, August 17, 2012, 8:30pm.
Known for its preservation of ballet’s aesthetic and standards of excellence created and established by the dancers and choreographers of the Ballet Russe and the development of new work that draws on the creative talents of contemporary choreographers and composers, PBDT has chosen to branch out from their traditional European roots to pay homage to the American experience with an explosive dance and music retrospective.
Dance in the USA employs a compilation of works by iconic musical artists such as Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Roy Orbison, Janis Joplin, The Doors, Michael Jackson, to name a few. This exciting retrospective shows how American music influenced dance, moving from decade to decade. It starts with a Hoedown with music by Aaron Copeland then moves to the Cakewalk with Ragtime; the Charleston with music by Duke Ellington (a pianist will perform live on stage); to Swing and Boogie Woogie of the ‘40s and the twist and shouts of the 50s with music by Bill Haley and the Comets to Elvis Presley and Motown; and then onwards to the 60s with the Beat Generation and a number from Frank Sinatra (sung live by dancer/singer Chris Trousdale); to The Doors, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. Then onwards to the 1970s with Disco music, then on to the 80s with music by Whitney Houston and Madonna; and, of course, Michael Jackson.
Tickets ($15-$35 and $12 for full-time students with ID and children 12 and under. VIP packages start at $65 and include premium seating and a pre-performance reception.) are available at www.FordTheatres.org
For more information on PBDT: http://www.pacificballetdancetheatre.org
