Great cultural opportunity in Cleveland for the little ballerina in your life

One of the things I love about having a daughter now is all the fun things we are going to get to do. Hair salon appointments, getting our nails done and her taking/dance ballet classes. I have been fortunate to become Twitter friends with the awesome Jessica Wallis, Director of Ballet in Cleveland.

Photo-Cleveland.com

 Ballet in Cleveland was founded in March 2012 with the mission to complete the cultural fabric of Cleveland by adding the missing piece of professional classical ballet. With the unfortunate losses of both of its resident ballet companies (Cleveland and Ohio Ballets), the city of Cleveland has been without the regular presence of professional classical ballet for years. Committed to our city and the second-largest performing arts district in the nation (PlayhouseSquare), Ballet in Cleveland will bring the best classical ballet companies in the nation to perform on Cleveland stages. Additionally, Ballet in Cleveland is committed to presenting classical ballet events of the highest quality in the interest of fostering awareness of and appreciation for the unique art of classical dance. Through performances and events that appeal to all audiences, Ballet in Cleveland will revitalize a presence of beauty and delicate artistry in Cleveland, Ohio through one of the most prestigious forms of art: classical dance. (Info taken from Ballet In Cleveland website).

Pretty cool, huh?! Well they are hosting a unique opportunity for kids and families this weekend. According to the Cleveland Heights Patch- "Meet and dance with a former ballerina and author! Join Ballet in Cleveland on June 8th and 9th in a series of events featuring former New York City Ballet soloist and author of The Sugarless Plum, Zippora Karz.

On Saturday, June 8th at 2pm at the Louis Stokes Auditorium of the Main Branch of Cleveland Public Library(325 Superior Ave., N.E. Cleveland, OH 44114), Jessica Wallis, director of Ballet in Cleveland will introduce Zippora Karz as she speaks about her book, The Sugarless Plum, about her triumph over the complications of having type 1 diabetes while being a professional dancer.

Wallis will also moderate a panel of professionals including author Don W. Ray, local author of Still in the Game, and diabetes health advocate, Shannon Sterne, a nutritionist and staff member of Dancing Wheels, along with local health professionals from Metro Health. Ms. Karz will sign books that will be for purchase for $15.00 after the presentation and panel discussion.

Later that day, join us at District, (1350 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115), for an evening of cocktails and a three-course meal. Cocktail half-hour will begin at 7:30pm with sparkling wine and passed appetizers with three- course dinner beginning at 8:00pm. We will enjoy a diabetic friendly menu in honor of Ms. Karz along with the featured cocktail of the evening, The Sugar Plum. This event is open to the public at $100 per plate.

The following day, Sunday, June 9th, Ballet in Cleveland will hold two exclusive master classes taught by Ms. Karz at the Gund Dance Studio at Playhouse Square. Not only will you get to participate in a master ballet class, but Zippora will host a Q&A session with an extensive panel of other ballet experts after each class including: Shannon Sterne, nutritionist and staff member of Dancing Wheels, Leigh Griffiths-Bennett, formerly of the Stuttgart Ballet, Alyssa Lee Wilmot, owner of the Movement Factory, Michael Uthoff, director of Dance St. Louis, and Samantha Basford-Damoulakis, formerly of the Miami City Ballet.

10:00am – 11:30am: 8 – 12 age group class
11:45am – 12:15pm: 8 – 12 age group Q&A

2:00pm – 3:30pm: 13+ age group class
3:45pm – 4:15pm: 13+ age group Q&A

Limited space is available so be sure to register quickly viahttp://balletincleveland.org/registration.html or by calling 330-285-5779.

Along with the class and Q&A sessions, the $35 registration fee includes a photograph of Karz and the participant with his or her class, a Ballet in Cleveland dance bag, bottled water for participants to enjoy before and after class, along with other ballet-themed surprises provided by our sponsors. Karz's book will also be available for purchase for $15.00 with an opportunity for it to be autographed after each Q&A panel.

Forest City and Skylight Financial Group proudly sponsor this weekend of programming.

If you are unable to attend any of our unique events, don't let that stop you from supporting a great cause and helping provide scholarships for young dancers who may not have the opportunity. Just $40.00 provides a full scholarship! Donate now!

About Zippora Karz
Zippora Karz is a former soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet where she performed for 16 years on stage and in televised performances. She was featured in a variety of roles choreographed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins (The Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker being one of her favorites) as well as works choreographed for her by such choreographers as Peter Martins and Lynne Taylor Corbett.

Miss Karz danced with the New York City Ballet from 1983 through 1999. She now serves as a teacher and repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust, rehearsing and staging Balanchine's choreography for a host of national and international dance companies. She is also a diabetes spokesperson and educator who regularly addresses major diabetes conferences and organizations worldwide.

In addition to her memoir, The Sugarless Plum, published in 2009. Zippora wrote a regular column for the Huffington Post. She lives in Los Angeles, California."

Contact

To learn more about this event, please contact

Jessica Wallis, Founding Director
1621 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
t: 330.285.5779
Jessica@balletincleveland.org