The Northwest Ballet Company turns 30 this year, and the talented dancers and teachers are planning a fitting celebration for the valley.
The Company has had a few makeovers during its three-decade tenure in the Flathead, running under the names Flathead Civic Ballet, Kalispell Ballet Company and now Northwest Ballet Company, but current Owner and Director Marisa Roth notes “whatever name changes it has gone through, one thing has never changed and that’s the pride this local company has of presenting three decades of pre-professional dance to Flathead Valley audiences.”
Formed in 1980 by Carol Jakes, now Carol Brannan, the Company has auditioned and molded numerous elite dancers to represent the Flathead Valley.
“The Northwest Ballet Company’s first production was performed at FVCC when the campus was in downtown Kalispell,” Brannan wrote in a press release. ” Although times have changed many things in this valley, the Northwest Ballet Company continues to produce high quality dance performances. Classical ballet education continues to thrive amid all economic hardship.”
To celebrate, the Company has some pretty neat things planned.
First, the annual spring show:
This year’s annual spring show is able to boast some returning alumni performers, as well as five Northwest Ballet School faculty performers. Company Director Marisa Roth, who has come full circle through the Northwest Ballet School, Company, faculty, and now Owner, is presenting a Classical Ballet piece the Company first did 30 years ago, Les Sylphide. Founder Brannan has returned with a revamped piece she set in 2000, called Papillon, inspired by butterflies. Previous Northwest Ballet instructor Natalie Molter, will premier a piece as well, Simple Gifts, featuring the five Company members who will dance their ‘last dance’ at the Northwest Ballet. Three of these dancers are high school seniors, and two are continuing their dance education at the prestigious North Carolina School of the Arts and the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre’s Pre-Professional Program.
Also, the Gala:
There will be a 30th Anniversary Celebration Evening Gala, Friday, May 7th at 8 p.m. at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. Buy a Show ticket and receive a Gala ticket free! Come meet and mingle with the Northwest Ballet Company for a formal evening of entertainment. The 30th Anniversary Celebration Shows are Saturday, May 8th at 8 p.m. & Sunday, May 9th at 4 p.m. at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts. Reserved seating tickets are on sale Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chris’ Tea Cottage in Bigfork, MT, 225 River Street, or by calling 406-837-4900. After May 6th, tickets will only be available at the Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts one hour before shows. Prices are $20 for Adults and $15 for Children 12 and under. For more information, please call the Northwest Ballet at the Dance Art Center, 406-755-0760.
I’ve been lucky enough to spend some time with the dancers and teachers at Northwest Ballet Company when I wrote a story last winter about some of the awesome kids who dance and work so hard in their studios. They are a fun bunch and can be counted on for a good show.
Congrats on 30 years!