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Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida celebrated its 25th Anniversary Season with a spectacular Spring Ballet Gala that included some of its best repertoire, international guest artists, and returning prima ballerinas, last Sunday, April 23rd, 2023. The Lillian S. Wells Theatre, previously known as the Parker Playhouse, was full of enthusiastic public and honorary VIP guests, who formed part of a cocktail hour and a post-performance meet & greet with the dancers.
This unique performance opened with the showing of a documentary on the life of Maestro Vladimir Issaev, who coincidentally celebrates 60 years of his artistic career. It showed his journey through Russia, Ukraine, Venezuela, and finally, how he ended up founding the company in Miami 25 years ago. The public cheered, laughed, and cried, while the emotional video played and the light dimmed.
The Parker was illuminated by the presence of renowned personalities South Florida’s cultural scene, former dancers, and esteemed guests who gathered to celebrate the momentous occasion. Artistic Director Vladimir Issaev and his wife and CEO, Mrs. Ruby Romero, were warmly welcomed on stage by the President of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Mr. Kelley Shenley, amidst cheers and applause. The celebration was further enhanced by the touching testimonies of support and congratulatory words from Michael Spring, Director, and Marialaura Leslie, Deputy Director, of the Miami-Dade Department of Cultural Affairs during the presentation of the documentary. Their kind words added to the already joyful atmosphere, making the event an unforgettable experience for all.
The celebration continued to be graced by the presence of several notable personalities, including Phillip Dunlap, Director of the Broward Cultural Division, Iliana Lopez and Franklin Gamero, former principal dancers of Miami City Ballet and current directors of Gulfshore Ballet, Marife Gimenez and Douglas Gawriljuk also former dancers of MCB. Also in attendance was Solange Villacorta, principal dancer of Ballet Municipal de Lima in Peru, Hannah Baumgarten, and Allyn Ginns Ayers, Artistic Director and dancer of Dance NOW! Miami, respectively, Rafi Maldonado from the Sanctuary of the Arts, among others.
The guests were cordially welcomed by Ms. Sharon Miller, the President of the Board of Directors, and Ms. Nina Allen, founding member of the Board. Other distinguished Board members who graced the occasion included Josie Podesta Soto, Mariela Romero, Lew Thaler, Lesly Simon, and Anna Solorzano. Their presence added to the joyous atmosphere, making the event even more memorable.
The dancers completed the program previously offered such as Taiko Mix, Firebird Pas de Deux, Saaya Okada and Remina Tanaka who ended the first act of the playful and technically demanding pas de deux from Le Papillon.
For the Second Act, Arts Ballet opened with Corsaire’s Suite of Le Jardin Animé, with the audience making their first standing ovation for the guest appearance of American Ballet Theatre’s Principal Dancer Skylar Brandt and her dance partner, ABT Dancer Jonathan Klein, dancing Le Corsaire Pas de Deux. Ms. Janis Liu, former principal dancer with ABTF, came back to Miami to perform an exquisitely artistic adagio from Le Papillon. The audience second standing ovation came with the performance of Venezuelan Prima ballerina Mary Carmen Catoya, performing the demanding Endless Pas de Deux. To conclude, the company came together to perform Doble Corchea, or Double Clef, by Venezuelan choreographer Vicente Nebrada, in collaboration with The Nebrada Foundation. This sent the audience to an exhilarating mood as the company performed the demanding Nebrada steps with wonderful musicality, bringing the performance to a beautiful close.
The performance was followed by a meet and greet with the dancers, in which the VIP guests could speak and take photos with the professionals. There were incredible interactions, and many old friends were present as well as journalists, board members, and sponsors of the company. The evening ended the season with a golden bow, and with Arts Ballet Theatre of Florida reinstating its footprints in the dance world of South Florida for the next 25 years to come.
