‘Ballet And Bubbly’ Offers New, Traditional Pieces For New Year’s

Other New Year’s Eve traditions have come and gone, but “Ballet and Bubbly” continues as an annual year-end Spokane event.

Theatre Ballet of Spokane will stage its ninth New Year’s Eve celebration Sunday at The Met. It’s an evening that includes partying - in the form of a champagne/ hors d’oeuvres reception - and culture in the form of mixed repertoire ballet.

As New Year’s Eve parties go, “Ballet and Bubbly” starts early in the evening - the festivities begin at 7 p.m. This allows younger children to enjoy the dancing; and during the years the Spokane Symphony staged a New Year’s Eve concert at the Opera House, revelers could attend actually attend both events. The tradition of an early evening starting time continues which still allows those with party plans to attend both the ballet and the traditional midnight celebrations.

The dance program includes the Spokane debut of a new piece by choreographer Wendy Long, “Big Blue Plymouth” to the music by David Byrne. Long, a former Spokane resident now living in Nevada, has choreographed other works for Theatre Ballet, working primarily in a surrealistic style.

“Souvenirs,” a dance choreographed by Theatre Ballet co-artistic director Elizabeth Carlssohn to music by Samuel Barber, is a blend of ballet and folk dance. Guest pianists Kendall Feeney and Linda Siverts will perform with the dancers.

Theatre Ballet will also dance the traditional “Can Can,” set by Theatre Ballet co-artistic director Sally Broadbent. The music is by Jaques Offenbach and the dance recreates the atmosphere of turn-of-the-century Paris dance halls.

Also on the program is Cindy Deerheim’s retrospective “A Peace of Thyme.” The dance is a tribute to an era in American history that changed the way Americans viewed themselves and the rest of the world. It’s the time of flower power, the “Age of Aquarius,” “Scarborough Fair” and Simon and Garfunkel.

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MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: “BALLET AND BUBBLY” STAGED BY THEATRE BALLET OF SPOKANE Location and time: The Met, Sunday, 7 p.m. reception, 8 p.m. performance Tickets: $15, $12 for students/seniors