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About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 13, 2011)
WINTER BRAVO! 2011 Room to Move The Very Little Theatre presents AUDITIONS Henrik Ibsen’s searing play about one man’s lonely struggle against ignorance and official corruption, adapted to the early 1970s Pacific Northwest using a brilliant new translation by Christopher Hampton. The Pulitzer prize nominated play by Richard Greenberg Eugene Ballet, Ballet Fantastique enjoying rehearsal spaces BY SUZI STEFFEN B time, it’s secure, and we’ve made it pretty allet requires small, safe.” controlled muscle A few blocks down, in the old movements along Tiffany’s drugstore in the Overpark, Ballet with long runs Fantastique opened its City Center for across large spaces, Dance last fall. Using a Meyer Memorial and it’s not easy to fi nd space for the hours Trust grant to spur donations from the of practice and rehearsal dancers need. community, the chamber ballet group The Brazillian hardwood fl oors have to refi nished the space with a ton of volunteer be just right so dancers don’t get (more hours, in-kind donations and hard work. than normally) injured; the rehearsal space “The thing I’m most proud of is laying needs mirrors, usually a piano, a sound the Brazilian cherry hardwood fl oor,” system and barres. says executive director Hannah Bontrager. But Eugene’s lucky here as in other “That, and the drywall.” arts arenas: Both the large Eugene Ballet The new space means that Ballet Company and the chamber ballet group Fantastique has two studios (the other, Ballet Fantastique now have large, smaller one is also in the Overpark but centrally located studios that invite the across 10th), and the larger one, with a community to watch, listen and learn more loft for administrative offi ces and board about various forms of ballet and other meeting space, garners a lot of attention dance. from passersby. “People are stopping to The Eugene Ballet Company, a Hult watch all day long,” Bontrager says. “We Center resident company, moved into have three new company dancers this year, its space in the Midtown Arts building so there’s no way we could have fi t in the in 2006, and executive director Riley other studio.” Grannan says that the experience has been splendid. “We have three large or fi ve total studios,” he says, for two of the larger spaces can be divided into smaller spaces for the dance classes that often occupy the building from dawn to dusk (and beyond). Each space has its own sound system, which Grannan says means that artistic director and choreographer Toni Pimble can run performance rehearsals from her iPad. “Dancers used to BALLET FANTASTIQUE’S be able to at least slack off for BOSSA BRASIL a couple of seconds while you JAN. 29 rewind things, but not anymore,” And after all of the volunteer hours — Grannan says, laughing. “The most people we had at any one time Sometimes, other dance companies, was 17 people, including dancers, friends including Aleto Alessi’s DanceAbility and we just co-opted and my father-in-law,” Phenomenon Hip Hop Dance Company, Bontrager says — Ballet Fantastique has use the space for classes or rehearsals. “Hip also been able to expand its classes and hop can actually electocharge you,” says open up pre-performance rehearsals for an Grannan, whose offi ce is upstairs in the affordable Open Barre series, with dance open-design building. And the building’s punctuated by local wine, beer and food for designed to be attractive from the street. the standing-room only crowds. “We purposefully opened it up enough that Bontrager says, “We’re all just smiling a kid going by can see that things are going every day, having this chance.” on in here,” Grannan says. “At the same ew Sat., Jan. 22, noon 2350 Hilyard Street, Eugene Auditions will consist of reading excerpts from the script. Parts are available for two men and one woman. There are seven performances scheduled in the Very Little Theatre Stage Left space from April 22 to May 1. “The strongest man in the world is he who stands most alone” Directed by James Aday Jan. 14-16*, 20-23*, 27-29 *Sunday Matinees Tickets: $15 ($10 for Thursday) Call 541-344-7751 Box office open 2:00-5:30 Wed.–Sat. 2350 Hilyard St. For more information, contact director Sarah Etherton at 541-852-7900 or e-mail savrit@gmail.com More info at TheVLT.com More information under the Auditions page at: TheVLT.com Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheVLT BUY ONLINE : www.HultCenter.org OR CALL FOR TICKETS : 541-682-5000 OREGON MUSIC EDUCATION ASSOCIATION PRESENTS All State Middle School Concert Friday, January 14 at 5:00 PM –SILVA– Tix: $15; St, Y All State Jazz Performance Saturday, January 15 at 5:00 PM –SORENG– Tix: Free All State High School Gala Concert Sunday, January 16 at 1:00 PM –SILVA– Tix: $15; St, Y Band, choir, and orchestra students perform with their talented peers from across the state. EUGENE SYMPHONY PRESENTS Dvorák Cello Concerto Thursday, January 20 at 8:00 PM –SILVA– Tix: $15 and up; St, Y Experience the drama and passion of Dvorák’s cherished Cello Concerto when cello superstar Alisa Weilerstein joins the Eugene Symphony for a passionate performance. THE EDGE PRESENTS Dance for a Reason 2011 Friday, January 21 at 7:30 PM –SILVA– Tix: $15 Eugene’s most eclectic, energized and fun dance performance. The annual benefi t showcases the variety of talented dancers, choreographers and movement specialists in our area. DIVISI PRESENTS The International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella (ICCA) Saturday, January 22 at 7:00 PM –SILVA– Tix: $25; St, Y Regional competition for the coveted title of ICCA Quarterfi nal Champion. UO’s Divisi will host eight talented groups from Oregon and Utah in what is sure to be a great show, full of stiff competition and wonderful music. WELLS FARGO BROADWAY IN EUGENE PRESENTS Spring Awakening Saturday, January 25 at 7:30 PM –SILVA– Tix: $52.50-$30 This landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll, exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years. Contains strong language, partial nudity and adult situations - parental discretion is advised. ALISA WEILERSTEIN ENTERTAINMENT ON SALE: EUGENE SYMPHONY PRESENTS BALLET FANTASTIQUE PRESENTS Itzhak Perlman (Silva – Jan. 29) Bossa Brasil (Soreng – Jan. 29) HULT TICKET OFFICE HOURS: Tue-Fri, 12- 5 PM ; Sat, 11 AM –3 PM ONE HOUR BEFORE PERFORMANCE MON-SAT, TWO HOURS BEFORE ON SUN. UO TICKET OUTLET IN THE EMU: Mon-Fri, 9 AM –5 PM BLOGS.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM • WWW.EUGENEWEEKLY.COM EUGENE WEEKLY JANUARY 13, 2011 15
