La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet – 6 PM
“An absolute treat for balletomanes.” Variety

Documentary master Frederick Wiseman turns his attention to one of the world’s greatest ballet companies, The Paris Opera Ballet, as they rehearse and perform seven ballets including Le Songe de Medée by Angelin Preljocaj, Orphée and Eurydice by Pina Bausch, and Romeo and Juliette by Sasha Waltz. (2009, 158 min.)

Strictly Bolshoi – 9 PM
“Even if you aren’t a dance fan you will appreciate the drama and laughs…” The Times, London

This Emmy Award-winning film follows sought-after ballet choreographer Christopher Wheeldon as he becomes the first Englishman to be invited to create a new work for Moscow’s prestigious Bolshoi Ballet. Featuring some of the world’s finest classical ballet dancers in rare rehearsal footage of Wheeldon’s creation, the compelling docu-drama captures the pressures and demands in creating a ballet worthy of the dancers and the Bolshoi’s strict traditions. (Michael Nunn & William Trevitt, 2007, 77 min.)

La Danse: The Paris Opera Ballet
Wednesday, January 20, 2010, 6:00 pm
UCSB, Campbell Hall, 574 Mesa Rd, Santa Barbara
General public $10.00, UCSB Students $8.00
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Newly formed but already receiving international acclaim, Morphoses was founded by one of the ballet world’s most exciting talents and former resident choreographer with New York City Ballet, Christopher Wheeldon, and former Executive Director of The George Balanchine Foundation, Lourdes Lopez, with the fundamental goal of revitalizing contemporary, classical ballet by marrying dance, music, visual arts, and design. The award-winning troupe – which debuted in the U.S. in 2007 at the Vail International Dance Festival and at New York City Center – includes some of the foremost members of New York City Ballet and the Royal Ballet of Britain.

Morphoses / Wheeldon Company
Friday, January 29, 2010, 8:00 pm
The Granada
General public $38.00 – $48.00, UCSB Students $28.00
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