Grand Rapids Ballet Pushes Forward with a New Virtual Program Series

By Steve Sucato The Covid-19 Global Pandemic has taken, and continues to take a lot from all of us. But despite the financial losses and emotional hardships visited upon Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB), Michigan’s lone professional ballet company, artistic director James Sofranko is optimistic with a faith of the heart that has been bolstered by the support of company’s staff and dancers as well as … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet Pushes Forward with a New Virtual Program Series

With its Second Season Production ‘Collide,’ Deos Contemporary Ballet Looks to Up its Visibility around Western Michigan

By Steve Sucato Tess Sinke’s Deos Contemporary Ballet enters its sophomore season with a new mixed repertory program of dance works and bit of growth as an organization. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based, summer-only troupe consisting of local professional dancers and those from around the country, will not only be returning to downtown Grand Rapids’ Peter Martin Wege Theatre for performances of its latest production Collide … Continue reading With its Second Season Production ‘Collide,’ Deos Contemporary Ballet Looks to Up its Visibility around Western Michigan

Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Extremely Close’, Extremely Good [REVIEW]

Grand Rapids Ballet – Extremely Close Peter Martin Wege Theatre Grand Rapids, MI April 12-14, 2019 Reviewed by Steve Sucato In the company’s first season under new artistic director James Sofranko, Grand Rapids Ballet appears to be continuing on the path of upward trajectory begun by former artistic director Patricia Barker now the director of The Royal New Zealand Ballet. The company’s program Extremely Close, … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet’s ‘Extremely Close’, Extremely Good [REVIEW]

‘Wild Sweet Love’ to usher in Sofranko-Era at Grand Rapids Ballet

By Steve Sucato For Grand Rapids Ballet’s season opening program, the first under new artistic director James Sofranko, the company will present Wild Sweet Love, October 19-21 at GRB’s ’ Peter Martin Wege Theatre. The diverse program including ballets by George Balanchine, Trey McIntyre, GRB resident choreographer Penny Saunders and a world premiere by Sofranko has audience-pleaser written all over it. The production will also … Continue reading ‘Wild Sweet Love’ to usher in Sofranko-Era at Grand Rapids Ballet

Fifth Annual ‘The Benefit’ Set To Wow Audiences Again With World-Class Music and Dance  

By Steve Sucato One of the region’s premiere arts events, The Benefit returns for the fifth year running on Sunday, May 20 at downtown Columbus’ Jo Ann Davidson Theatre at the Riffe Center. Produced and curated by former BalletMet dancers Jimmy Orrante and Attila Bongar, the talent-packed evening of dance and music benefits The Central Ohio Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation. Joining The Benefit’s … Continue reading Fifth Annual ‘The Benefit’ Set To Wow Audiences Again With World-Class Music and Dance  

On the move: Dance in the Annex begins educational partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet

Since 2009, the collective known more commonly as DITA has gained recognition for its classes, performances, and dance-on-film. Master classes once again resume this month, with world-renowned Graham Technique master teacher William Crowley. By Steve Sucato While Grand Rapids can boast a lot of things—from Beer City USA to Furniture City to ArtPrize—one thing it isn’t known for is a plethora of professional dance companies and … Continue reading On the move: Dance in the Annex begins educational partnership with Grand Rapids Ballet

Grand Rapids Ballet Begins Search for a New Artistic Director

By Michael Erickson Grand Rapids, MI, August 15, 2017– Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB) announced today that they are formally beginning a search for a new artistic director for Michigan’s only professional ballet company. Current artistic director, Patricia Barker, announced in June that she accepted the artistic director appointment at Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB). Barker has been in this position with GRB since 2010, and … Continue reading Grand Rapids Ballet Begins Search for a New Artistic Director

Curiouser and curiouser: Grand Rapids Ballet’s “Alice” overcomes early flaws to delight

Reviewed by Steve Sucato For a long time, it’s been a common speculation that iconic novel “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” was the product of mind-altering drugs. The world premiere of Grand Rapids Ballet (GRB)’s production of “Alice in Wonderland” Friday night based on that tale by Lewis Carroll’s (the pseudonym for Charles Lutwidge Dodgson), feeds into that notion. The mind-blowing visual spectacle has the feel … Continue reading Curiouser and curiouser: Grand Rapids Ballet’s “Alice” overcomes early flaws to delight