Ballet to combine modern, classical dance

A fast-moving and upbeat performance characterizes the Spring Ballet as a program that is user-friendly for the most experienced audience members or first-timers. The IU Ballet will be presenting the "Homage to Tchaikovsky" at 8 p.m. March 26 and 27 in the Musical Arts Center.\n"It is a wonderful introduction to dance," said Virginia Cesbron, chair of the ballet department. \nThe performance offers a sampling of three very different ballets, but all the ballets are set to music by Tchaikovsky. Each selection requires a different type of dancing and different tone.\nMolly Diemer, the public relations coordinator for the IU Ballet, described the selection as "very eclectic."\nThe night begins with a tribute to George Balanchine's works. Balanchine helped to form the first School of American Ballet that included all American dancers. He also started the first truly American style of ballet, called neo-classical ballet.\nThe dancers will be performing his "Serenade." Set to "Serenade for Strings" by Tchaikovsky, the piece centers around a group of dancers in a dance class. Balanchine's choreography was very innovative at the time. \n"It emphasizes strength but fluidity," Diemer said. "He likes quick steps and lots of patterns."\n"Souvenir de Florence" is the second performance in the ballet. Premiered in 2000, this ballet was choreographed entirely by Cesbron's husband, Jacques, an IU ballet professor. He said he was inspired when he heard Tchaikovsky's six string instrumental piece while in New York.\n"Basically, it represents the music. It's very full and rich music," Cesbron said. "The music is superb. When he heard the music, it just inspired him and the choreography." \nThis ballet does not tell a story, but instead focuses on the movement of the dancers. \n"It is contemporary and free," Cesbron said. \nA very classical piece will end the night. Act III of "Sleeping Beauty," Tchaikovsky's first successful ballet, focuses on the final scene of the story. The narrative of the wedding celebration between Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund is told in the final act. The fairy tale world includes characters like Puss in Boots and Little Red Riding Hood, as well as Princess Aurora's fairy godmothers. \n"It will be a beautiful thing to look at," said Doricha Sales, administration and lecturer of music. \nThe costumes and sets for this performance are very elaborate. Costumes and the choreographer came to IU from the American Ballet Theater. \nJulie Kent, principal dancer with the American Ballet Theater, will be choreographing "Sleeping Beauty" Act III this year. As a guest artist and coach, Kent has offered her skills to IU a number of times in the past. \n"These are three big works, each using a lot of dancers, so there are no small pieces," Sales said. \nAs an educational institution, IU must concentrate on the experience the students need as well as on the pleasure for the audience, Sales said. The three very different types of ballets were chosen to give the dancers varied experiences, she said.\n"The range of works is good for the dancers because it helps broaden their educational experience in ballet," Sales said. "We always think about what's best for our dancers first."\nTickets can be purchased at the Musical Arts Center Box Office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Tickets range from $12 to $20, while IU students can buy tickets at a discounted rate of $8 to $16. \n-- Contact staff writer Jessica Dalsing at jdalsing@indiana.edu.