Local dance is eclectic, engaging

The Toledo Ballet is involved in two initiatives that are scheduled to be premiered this spring.

Toledo's tenacious dance organizations continue to grow in small but important ways. As they do they present performances that are invariably engaging and occasionally inspiring.

Toledo Ballet continued the remarkable run of Nutcracker performances in December when it presented its 61st annual production. The four performances were virtually sold out.

Equally successful has been the company's ongoing co-presentation relationship with the Valentine Theatre. The Bayanhihan Philippine National Dance Company was featured in October. January brought the renowned Grigorivich National Ballet performing Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Here too, both events sold out.

Toledo Ballet is also involved in two initiatives to be premiered in the spring.

Peter Pan will be staged in the Stranahan Theater the weekend of March 23-24. The company teams up with Masterworks Chorale for a performance of Carl Orff's bawdy Carmina Burana on April 21. Both performances will feature original choreography by Toledo Ballet artistic director Nigel Burgoine.

Toledo Ballet will host its Summer Dance Intensive July 15-28. Guest teachers are Russian dancers Alexei Kremnev and Anna Reznic. The workshop will culminate with performances at the Toledo Museum of Art and the Toledo Zoo Amphitheater as part of the Music Under the Stars series.

An eclectic range of dance presentations has been offered at the Franciscan Center. The group Caution: Men At Work: Tap opened the season in September. The Hubei [China] Cultural Dance Troupe performed in November. The inline-skating troupe Red Hot and Rollin' performed last month.

The Peter Sparling Dance Company was featured as part of BGSU's annual New Music & Art Festival in the fall.

Continuing a tradition begun in 1979, the Cassandra Ballet once again teamed up last summer with Sam Szor and Music Under the Stars. The ballet will be featured again this summer.

Cassandra Ballet's spring concert is scheduled for April 20-21 at Franciscan Center. Master teacher Olivier Pardina of the Harid Conservatory will be in residence the week of June 17.