Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami. (Photo by Simon Soong)
Arts Ballet Theatre, Janis Liu and Taiyu He.(Photo by Simon Soong)
The XXVI International Ballet Festival of Miami/ 2021 began its three-week run on July 24 and continues through Aug. 15.
With Miami and the rest of the country emerging from the shutdowns caused by COVID-19, the festival is a welcome return to live events. (Theaters where performances are being held have safety measures in place, so check with each venue about their policies before going.)
In accordance with previous years, the festival is filled with gala performances and other multidisciplinary events which include a free dance films series, art exhibits inspired by dance, dance book presentations, workshops and master classes.
The Festival features a line-up of prestigious ballet companies as represented by artists from Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, Portugal and the United States.
Ihosvany Rodriguez and Gretel Batista. (Photo by Simon Soong)
Eriberto Jimenez is the artistic director of the festival and has been a part of it "since day one." He spoke with me, by phone, on the history of the festival, the process of organizing the various events, and the challenges posed by COVID-19.
The Festival was founded by Pedro Pablo Pena in 1994 and was its artistic director until his death in 2018. Pena created three different ballet entities between 1983 and 2006. These include Creation Ballet (1983), Miami Hispanic Ballet and the International Ballet Festival of Miami (1994), and The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami (2006).
Contemporary dance at the International Ballet Festival of Miami.
In 2011, Pena oversaw the purchase of the property that houses the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center when the Miami Hispanic Ballet Company received a grant of $1 million from Miami Dade County Cultural Affairs Council. It also received the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation’s Knight Arts Challenge Grant Award 2011 where $100,000 was awarded in support of the restoration of the original building. The Cultural Arts Center resides in the 1911 fully restored Miami Landmark building, The J.W. Warner Place.
The MHCAC is home to the Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami. The Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami maintains the methodology and style of the Cuban school of ballet; which took the Russian style of ballet and adapted it to the Latin body. "A few changes were made which created a different way of working," Jimenez says. The company is performing in the festival. The Cuban style is very "sharp, strong and clean. Technically they are extremely good. Cuban dancers are appreciated anywhere in the world. Everyone wants to hire them because of their technique," Jimenez says.
Milwaukee Ballet, Marize Fumero and Arionel Vargas. (Photo by Simon Soong)
The Festival has many moving parts, according to Jimenez. Preparation for the following year's festival begins one month after the current festival ends. Theaters and talent must be procured. "The Festival has been around for so long that it runs almost by itself. The festival also has advisors who help us look for talent in South America, Central America and Europe," Jimenez says.
In its early years, the Festival started with the galas then incorporated more events that are dance related. This include a Festival poster unveiling reception and art exhibit. This year’s poster was created by Cuban artist Tony Rodriguez. His collection of work, “Movement” will be on display at the Cultural Art Center’s art gallery through August 30. There is no admission charge to see the exhibit.
Washington Ballet, Katherine Barkman abd Jorge Oscar Sanchez.(Photo by Simon Soong)
Each year “ A Life for Dance” lifetime achievement award is presented to an individual from the world of dance honoring their legacy and contribution to the art form. This year’s honoree is the former prima ballerina and Miami City Ballet artistic director Lourdes Lopez. The presentation will take place on Saturday, Aug, 14 at the Etoiles Classical Gala at the Fillmore Miami Beach. The event will be live with a socially-distanced audience as a COVID-19 protocol and also will be available through livestream.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Friday, Aug. 6, 7 p.m.: “Contemporary Performance I” at Seminole Theater, Homestead
Saturday, Aug. 7, 8 p.m.: “Contemporary Performance II” at Miami Theater Center, Miami Shores
Sunday, Aug. 8, 5 p.m.: “Contemporary Performance III” at Amaturo Theater, Broward Center
Saturday, Aug. 14, 8 p.m.: “Etoiles Classical Gala” at Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater
Sunday, Aug. 15, 5 p.m.: “Closing Gala of the Stars” at Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater.
For more information on all festival events go to www.internationalballetfestival.org or its Facebook page by clicking here.
