FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               Contact:

April 5, 2005                                                     Cindy Reynolds, Communications Manager

                                                                        (714) 541-8314, ext. 19

Saint Joseph Ballet Presents

more Life

Concert is Founder Beth Burns’ last as Artistic Director of Saint Joseph Ballet

            SANTA ANA, Calif. (April 5, 2005) – After 22 years, Founder and Artistic Director Beth Burns directs her final concert for Saint Joseph Ballet with More Life at the Irvine Barclay Theatre June 1-5, 2005.  More Life celebrates Burns’ creative energy, abundant spirit and passion for youth and will feature nearly 200 Saint Joseph Ballet students and alumni performing five of Burns’ signature works.  Burns will retire as Saint Joseph Ballet’s Artistic Director this June.  Melanie Rios Glaser, named last year as Beth Burns’ successor, restages two of the dance pieces.  She will begin full-time as Artistic Director in July.  

            “By any standards, Saint Joseph Ballet makes a potent, positive contribution to youth and the cultural landscape of southern California.  I can’t recommend enough that people – especially those who’ve never seen a Saint Joseph Ballet performance – come June 1 through 5,” said Beth Burns.  “Most first time audience members say they are ‘blown away’ by the artistic quality, energy and professionalism of the performers and production.  And the performances are just very special this year.”

“Enabling youth to grow artistically, academically and personally is deeply fulfilling.  This labor of love is a joy – it’s a privilege to serve low-income youth and to work with many inspiring, generous community leaders.  While I’ll miss seeing our students on a daily basis, I will remain on the Board of Directors, and look forward to continuing to advocate for the transforming work accomplished by this remarkable arts-for-youth organization.”

            More Life will be presented in two parts, offering three performances of each part.  Part One includes Dancing Into One, A Seed and Mi Corazón Canta, and will run Wednesday and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2:30 p.m.  Part Two, with Unearthing, dreamChild and Mi Corazón Canta, will run Thursday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

            A Seed (1990), performed by 12 alumni of Saint Joseph Ballet, is like an age-old ritual with irrepressible warmth, energy and power.

            Mi Corazón Canta (1990) features 100 younger students performing with Mariachis in a festive, light-hearted celebration.  A traditional favorite, this work is creatively restaged by incoming Artistic Director Melanie Rios Glaser.  

            Dancing into One (1993) is newly revised by Founder Beth Burns.  With mythological and meditative references, 23 dancers perform with freedom and unity.  A newly commissioned score by Aaron Novik will be performed live by his eclectic bay area quintet.

            dreamChild  (1996) Melanie Rios Glaser restages this peculiar enchantment in which young sleepers awake to a sprite-filled world where one can dream, wide awake. Thirty-three dancers perform to a captivating Renaissance Concerto for Flute, composed by Lukas Foss. 

            Unearthing (1998) Seeking to find where one fits – in family and culture – this piece is based on journal writings by Saint Joseph Ballet students. Twenty-nine dancers commemorate in movement, with tender dignity, their potent heritage. 

            Through her choreography, Burns has explored themes critical to the lives of the at-risk youth served by Saint Joseph Ballet.  Recognition for her accomplishments as Saint Joseph Ballet’s Artistic Director include the 2004 Arts Orange County Cultural Legacy Award, the 1999 Humanitarian Award from Loyola Marymount University, and the California Arts Council’s 1991 Choreographer’s Fellowship for the honesty and integrity of the movement she creates for young dancers.    

            Prices for either Part One or Part Two are $45 for Preferred Seating and $20 for General Seating.  A special pass to see both Parts is also available for $75 for Preferred Seating and $35 for General Seating.  Children 12 and under are half price.  All seats are reserved.  Tickets are available through the Irvine Barclay Theatre Box Office (949-854-4646) or www.thebarclay.org; or Ticketmaster, (714-740-7878) or www.ticketmaster.com.

            2005 Concert Chairs are Joan and Don Beall, Jan and Frank Foster, Ginnie and Rich Hunsaker, Yvonne and Damien Jordan, Socorro and Ernesto Vasquez, and Jean and Tim Weiss. 

            Saint Joseph Ballet’s mission is to empower low-income youth from diverse backgrounds to strengthen self-esteem, self-discipline and a sense of accomplishment through dance, academic and family programs.  Nationally recognized for artistic and program excellence, Saint Joseph Ballet has touched the lives of more than 50,000 youth since 1983.

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