Nina Ananiashvili, State Ballet of Georgia to perform at July 16 Grand Prix Reunion Gala

She would become one of the greatest prima ballerinas of all times, but even at age 23, when Nina Ananiashvili competed in Jackson, she set a mark few would reach in seven successive USA International Ballet Competitions. In commemoration of the 1986 USA IBC, which drew Ananiashvili, Andris Liepa and Vadim Pisarev as the first dancers from the former U.S.S.R. to compete in America, Ananiashvili will return to Jackson July 16, 2016 for the Grand Prix Reunion Gala, as guest artist, performing with the State Ballet of Georgia, which she serves as artistic director.

“Nina not only won the first Grand Prix award in 1986 but she also won the hearts of Jackson and USA IBC audiences. We are thrilled to see her return to dance on the stage of Thalia Mara Hall and to have the State Ballet of Georgia performing the same evening,” Mona Nicholas, executive director, states. A master class and community demonstration also will be part of the Grand Prix Reunion Gala weekend.

Ananiashvili will dance the role of Marguerite in Marguerite and Armand, and the State Ballet of Georgia will perform Concerto Barocco and Sagalobeli.

Purchase tickets at usaibc.tix.com

 

 

Trio ConcertDance opens 2016 Legends Series Feb. 23

A flow of movement animated by the power of music, the exquisite interplay of bodies, a look in the eyes and a breathtaking combination of technique and passion.

This is Trio ConcertDance, an evening of rare elegance featuring three great artists of our time: Alessandra Ferri, Italy’s prima ballerina assoluta and a living legend of the dance world; Herman Cornejo, virtuoso Argentine dancer and principal of American Ballet Theater; and Bruce Levingston, acclaimed concert pianist, recording artist and UM Honors College Artist in Residence. Trio ConcertDance was inspired by these artists’ love of music and their desire to create timeless movement inspired by its sound.

The program includes brilliant new dances by three internationally celebrated choreographers: England’s Russell Maliphant, resident artist at Sadler’s Wells Theatre in London; Argentine Demis Volpi, resident choreographer at the Stuttgart Ballet; and dancer and choreographer Fang Yi-Sheu of Taiwan with music of Bach, Chopin, Glass, Ligeti and Rachmaninoff. The evening will close with Angelin Preljocaj’s heartbreaking “Le Parc” with music by Mozart. The program previews the Trio Concert Dance run the following week in New York City.

Alessandra Ferri and Herman Cornejo

Presented at the Gertrude C. Ford Center for the Performing Arts in conjunction with the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College and the USA International Ballet Competition. Ticket packages, including a Friends of the USA International Ballet Competition reception and option for overnight accommodations, will be available soon.


7:30 p.m. Tuesday
Feb. 23, 2016
University of Mississippi