Ballet and Baseball
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Stop by Great American Ballpark for |
Ballet and baseball. At first glance, it might not seem like they have much in common. One involves hitting a ball, running the bases and sliding through the dirt. The other is a graceful ensemble of ballerinas, pirouettes and tulle.
But, believe it or not, the two have quite a bit in common. “We are looked at as art in classical ballet. But we exercise and practice and we have to use so much focus,” Cincinnati Ballet’s Principal Dancer Cervilio Miguel Amador. “We all get injured and have to learn to adapt and recover. We really have so much in common.”
The Cincinnati Reds, originally the Redstockings, have been around since 1881 and the Cincinnati Ballet will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. So, it was only a matter of time before the two would collaborate. “We are thrilled to be partnering with such a well known, loved and respected organization as the Cincinnati Reds,” says Allie Honebrink, Director of Marketing and Communications for Cincinnati Ballet. “This is something that Cincinnati Ballet has been interested in making happen for quite some time. We hope that this partnership continues to strengthen and grow for years to come.”
On August 25, the two organizations will be celebrating Homer Bailey’s no-hitter with Cincinnati Ballet Day at the Great American Ball Park, with a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. “We are all fans of the Cincinnati Reds here at Cincinnati Ballet! As Cincinnati Ballet prepares to celebrate 50 years, we are looking for new and exciting ways to reach the community,” says Honebrink.
The day will be a full-blown celebration, according to Honebrink, full of excitement and lots of special acts from the Cincinnati Ballet. Cincinnati Ballet’s Second Company, or “CBII,” will be performing a baseball themed number on Crosley Terrace before the game. The Nutcracker and the Sugar Plum Fairy will join Rosie Red in leading the pre-game parade. In fact, Amador will be throwing the first pitch. “I am not nervous. Excited, yes. It’s a celebration,” laughs Amador. “I will get nervous when I get there as see how far I have to throw the ball.” Cincinnati Ballet dancers and Music Director, Maestro Carmon DeLeone will lead the stadium singing the Seventh Inning stretch. And there will also be several ticket giveaways for Frisch’s Presents The Nutcracker.
The event will also benefit a great cause. A portion of the tickets purchased using the special code BALLET will benefit Cincinnati Ballet’s CincyDance! program which brings dance and arts education to schools and community centers.
The Cincinnati Reds and Cincinnati Ballet also have events planned in the future to continue their partnership. On August 17, Cincinnati Ballet will be hosting a day at the ballet for the Reds Heads Kids Club members. “The attendees will have the chance to meet dancers, learn a short piece of choreography, see costumes up close and have the chance to perform what they learned for the entire group. Even the Reds’ mascots will be dancing with us,” explains Honebrink.
To learn more about Cincinnati Ballet Day, go to www.cincinnatireds.com/ballet.
