On Saturday, March 21st, 2015 at 8 p.m., the Ulster Ballet Company will proudly present The 32nd Annual Festival of Dance, to be held at Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) in Kingston, NY. Since 1983, the festival has showcased both aspiring and professional dancers and choreographers, with a diverse range of styles and techniques. Each year, its stunning, original programs captivate dance enthusiasts of all ages. There are very few dance productions in the Hudson Valley where one can experience phenomenal, first-rate dancing of so many different genres, all in one night!
The Festival of Dance is an electrifying, explosive, and dynamic coming together of dance companies and dance styles with an international theme from the metropolitan area, the Capital District and the Mid-Hudson Valley. Joining Silver Screen Ballroom, Syncopated City Dance Company, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, ZEST COLLECTIVE Contemporary Performance Art, The Dance Conservatory Performance Project, and Vanessa Van Wormer Dance with Chamber Ballet Brockport, are returning local favorites: Solas An Lae American Irish Dance Company, Energy Dance Company and the Ulster Ballet Company.
From Red Hook comes Solas An Lae American Irish Dance Company that will offer a selection of innovative and progressive Irish dance pieces. From its home at the Center for Creative Education in Kingston Energy Dance Company is sure to excite the audience with its entertaining versions of Hip-Hop, Reggae and Latin Dance Styles. And the Ulster Ballet Company, not only will be hosting the event, but will be presenting original choreography set to traditional Norwegian music.
This year the Ulster Ballet Company will honor its former treasurer, Philip F. Meagher, who recently passed away. Mr. Meagher, in addition to donating his time to the Ulster Ballet Company for thirteen years, had a successful career at IBM for over forty-years. He was also Chairman of the Board of the West Hurley Public Library, and served on the Hurley Town Council.
Tickets for Ulster Ballet Company’s Festival of Dance are $22 for adults; and $18 for senior citizens, and UPAC/Bardavon members. For groups of ten or more, and children 12 and under, tickets are $15. To purchase tickets, call the UPAC box office at 845-339-6088; visit Ticketmaster at ticketmaster.com, or call 800-745-3000.
The Ulster Ballet Company is a non-profit organization that has been bringing area residents innovative and creative dance entertainment since 1977. For further information, visit www.ulsterballet.org or call 845-246-4316.
Photo: Ulster Ballet Company by Roger McKnight
