Aspen Santa Fe Ballet returns with three commissioned ballets to launch Pittsburgh Dance Council’s season

By Steve Sucato The last time Aspen Santa Fe Ballet performed in Pittsburgh, four years ago, the company was just becoming a staple on the U.S. touring circuit. Now, having built its stalwart reputation on new contemporary-dance works by world-class choreographers, the small troupe of 11 dancers makes its long-anticipated return to the Byham Theater to kick off Pittsburgh Dance Council’s new season. The Oct. … Continue reading Aspen Santa Fe Ballet returns with three commissioned ballets to launch Pittsburgh Dance Council’s season

Moroccan choreographer Hind Benali takes a journey of self-discovery in ‘Identity’

By Steve Sucato Moroccan-based dancer/choreographer Hind Benali’s new work, Identity, began as a solo journey of self-discovery after the deaths of her two grandmothers in the same year. Both were of Algerian decent, and both lived with her. “All the traditional parts of my identity came from them,” Benali said recently by telephone from Washington, D.C., where the company was performing the work. “The question then … Continue reading Moroccan choreographer Hind Benali takes a journey of self-discovery in ‘Identity’

In return to Northeast Ohio, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet wows with ‘Return to a Strange Land’

By STEVE SUCATO Special to The Plain Dealer AKRON, Ohio — DANCECleveland, in conjunction with The University of Akron’s EJ Thomas Hall, kicked off its 2014-2015 with the return of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, Sunday. The 11-member touring company, last seen in the region in 2010, brought with it to the former home of the Ohio Ballet — another troupe known for its touring popularity … Continue reading In return to Northeast Ohio, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet wows with ‘Return to a Strange Land’