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(Photo by Simon Soong)
For 25 years one of the most acclaimed ballet festivals in the world, The International Ballet Festival of Miami, considered on of the most important in the U.S., has been a summer highlight event in South Florida, inviting renowned national and international ballet companies represented by their stars from Europe, South America, Asia and the USA.
Now through Aug. 15, the spectacular 26th edition of this “must see” event, a true testament to its enduring level of artistic quality, is underway in South Florida. The XXVI International Ballet Festival of Miami scheduled seven live performances and four live streamed at some of the most important and iconic theaters.
This year the audience will have the chance to see live performances by each of the guest companies directly at the theater or from their homes. The festival also encompasses a dance film series, a dance-inspired fine arts exhibition, workshops, a special performance by young international ballet competition medal winners, and the First Dance Marathon showcasing the young talented stars of tomorrow from Miami.
The festival launched with a July 24 invitation cocktail reception featuring the unveiling of the official IBFM Poster created by Cuban artist Tony Rodriguez and “A Life for Dance” statuette created by Mexican artist David Camorlinga Tagle, accompanied by a dance-inspired fine arts exhibition “Movement” and “Invitation to Dance” at the historic Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center. The exhibit is open free and to the public through Aug. 30.
The Festival live performances include companies from Colombia, Czech Republic, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Slovenia, Switzerland and USA.
Remaining schedule:
Wednesday, Aug. 4, 7 p.m., free “Showcase” at Mary Brickell Village Shops;
Thursday, Aug. 5, 8 p.m. “Free Contemporary Performance on the Streets” Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach;
Friday, Aug. 6, 7 p.m., “Contemporary Performance I” at Seminole Theater, Homestead;
Saturday, Aug. 7, 8 p.m., “Contemporary Performance II” at Miami Theater Center, Miami Shores;
Sunday, Aug. 8, 5 p.m., “Contemporary Performance III” at Amaturo Theater, Broward Center;
Saturday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m., “Etoiles Classical Gala” at Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater, and
Sunday, Aug. 15, 5 p.m., “Closing Gala of the Stars” at Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater.
Every year during the Classical Gala Performance the festival presents “A Life for Dance” Lifetime Achievement Award to a legendary figure of the dance. This year’s honoree will be former prima ballerina and Miami City Ballet artistic director, Lourdes Lopez.
The IBMF dance film series will premiere the documentary “The Kind Euphoria of Dance” by Cuban director Miguel Castanet highlighting the life and legacy of the International Ballet Festival, Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center and Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami late founder and Cuban director Pedro Pablo Pena and dance films on the street at Lincoln Road, July 29, Aug. 3 and 13.
The IBFM Books Presentation dedicated to the dance, will include “Vision 21-21” and “Dancing on the Edge” by Baltasar Martin and “Con el Paso Cambiado” by Roger Salas.
Authors are present for the release and signing of their books and interviewed by ArtBurst Miami critic Orlando Taquechel. Book presentations are open to the public free of charge at Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center Aug. 11, 12 and 13.
IBFM performances will be the only first live dance at the theaters and live streamed through the IBFM website. Other events will be streamed on Facebook page. For full schedule, and ticket information, visit www.internationalballetfestival.org.
Miami Hispanic Ballet is the umbrella company for the annual International Ballet Festival of Miami (IBFM), founded in 1996 and considered one of the most important festivals of its kind in the U.S.
