Experience the Magic: BALAM Dance Theatre Brings Mythical Characters to Life in a Culturally Rich Showcase at Fiesta Odalan 45!'

PRESS RELEASE | Media Contact:   Luhrs & Associates, Publicist, press[at]luhrsandassociates.com

BALAM Dance Theatre to Open 45^th Anniversary Celebration with Fiesta Odalan 45! Showing

(New York, New York; April 15, 2024) -- BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM) opens its 45^th anniversary season with the opulent spring showing , Fiesta Odalan 45!, in New York City.  The company presents the showing at Gibney Dance Center, located at 53A Chambers Street, Studio H, New York, New York, on Sunday, May 19 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST.  The program is free and open to the public, with donations appreciated.  BALAM, a professional, non-profit dance company, offers a vision of contemporary cultural dance by combining ballet, modern and diverse cultural dance styles and historic periods. 

            Fiesta Odalan 45! presents solos, duets, trios, and a quartet spotlighting a range of music, dance forms and movements from Indonesia, Peru, Spain and the United States from the 18^th century to the present.  These mesmerizing works are featured:

• Oleg Tambulilingan (Love Dance of the Bumblebees duet), a playful traditional Balinese duet performed to Keybar gamelan music.
• El Barreño, a charming folkloric dance duet from El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala;
• Huicho, an 18th Century Peruvian bird dance with live Baroque guitar and singing;
• Mariones, a Baroque guitar solo;
• Caballo de Rejoneo, a premiere evoking a Sevillanas duet with castanets and live singing;
• Harp and Butterfly, Isadora Duncan solos; and
• Ramayana: Abduction of Sita, the company’s action packed signature Balinese fusion story ballet inspired by the Hindu epic. This piece portrays several violent scenes using culturally specific movements and vocalizations that may be disturbing to preteen children and senior audiences.

The program presents a cast of ten diverse artists spanning two generations.  BALAM Dance Theatre’s company’s dancers include Robin Gilbert, Yumiko Niimi, Toshinori Hamada, Barbara Romero, and Carlos Fittante.  Returning artists are musician Ryan Closs on Baroque guitar, mezzosoprano Eugenia Forteza, and dancer Steven Jeltsch.  As the world's only Flamenco stand-up comedian, entertainer Inma Heredia from Seville, Spain brings her salero (charm) to perform with the company.

Guest dancer Marie Carstens, LCAT, LMT, BC-DMT, CMA, an Isadora Duncan dance specialist, performs with BALAM for the first time.  Carstens, the co-creator of Putnam County Dance Project, is also a dance/movement therapist and a performer with Dances by Isadora/NYC.

Advanced Registration is Required

            Seating is limited.  To ensure a space, members of the public must reserve a seat in advance by contacting info@balamdancetheatre.org or calling 646-361-9183.  Please provide a first and last name, the number of reservations, and an e-mail address to receive confirmation.

Donations

            Donations are appreciated and needed to provide this program free to the public.  To make a donation, go to the dance company’s blog.   Click the Donate button in the upper right-hand column and make a contribution.  Donations may also be made by a check payable and addressed to BALAM Dance Theatre, 319 West 18th Street, Apt 4C, New York, NY 10011.  Donations are tax-deductible, as permitted by law.

About BALAM Dance Theatre

             Founded in 1979 by choreographer and movement researcher, Islene Pinder, BALAM Dance Theatre offers a new vision of contemporary dance rooted in the dazzling opulence and magical aura of Balinese theatre. 

            The New York City-based dance/theatre company creates a unique entertainment experience that has universal appeal.  Audiences of all ages and backgrounds enjoy BALAM’s innovative movement alchemy where dynamic athleticism, detailed skills, and movement techniques from around world and time periods are fused and enhanced by eclectic music, striking masks, vibrant costumes and fantasy stories.

            The company educates the community about dances and cultures featured in its repertoire.  Through its Out & About Series, free and affordable performances, workshops and creative events at the grassroots level are made available for families, children, students and community residents.  

            BALAM Dance Theatre has been featured at numerous festivals and venues, including First Night New York, Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and Downtown Dance Festival.  The company has also performed throughout the United States and internationally.  BALAM has received praise from the New York Times and Village Voice, the Governor and people of Bali and the Indonesian Consulate of New York, as well as others. 

For further information, call 646-361-9183 or visit BALAM Dance Theatre on its blog. Follow the company on Facebook, and check for updates on Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) @BALAMDance and LinkedIn.

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