Focus Jan/Feb 2014

Since 1990 The Sarasota Ballet, the Gulf Coast of Florida’s only
professional ballet company, has been enriching lives, captivating
emotions and strengthening the community through the art of
dance. Under the leadership of Director Iain Webb, the Company’s
expanded repertoire includes works by world-renowned choreographers
such as Sir Frederick Ashton, Dame Ninette de Valois, Twyla
Tharp, Antony Tudor, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, John Cranko, Hans van
Manen, Andre Prokovsky, Dominic Walsh, Christopher Wheeldon and
Matthew Bourne. Receiving national and international recognition
for their diverse repertoire of rarely performed ballets, The Sarasota
Ballet was recently noted by Sarah Kaufman, a dance critic for
The Washington Post to be “…the jewel of this year’s ‘Ballet Across
America,’” a 2013 showcase of the best ballet companies from
across the nation at the Kennedy Center.
The 2014 Sir Frederick Ashton Festival Schedule
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
• Lecture, Historic Asolo Theatre, 12:00 p.m.
• Film, Historic Asolo Theatre, 3:00 p.m.
• Program 1 – Sarasota Opera House, 8:00 p.m.
o Birthday Offering, Illuminations, Façade
Thursday, May 1, 2014
• Lecture, Historic Asolo Theatre, 12:00 p.m.
• Film, Historic Asolo Theatre, 3:00 p.m.
• Program 2 – Sarasota Opera House, 8:00 p.m.
o Les Rendezvous, Symphonic Variations, Façade
Friday, May 2, 2014
• Lecture, Historic Asolo Theatre, 12:00 p.m.
• Film, Historic Asolo Theatre, 3:00 p.m.
• Program 3 – Sarasota Opera House, 8:00 p.m.
o Valses Nobles et Sentimentales, Monotones I & II,
Sinfonietta
The 2014 Ashton Festival is being staged by The Sarasota Ballet to
honor the life and works of the Royal Ballet’s founding choreographer,
Sir Frederick Ashton (1909-1988). As one of ballet’s most notable
choreographers, Ashton has been a leading influence for The
Sarasota Ballet’s repertoire since 2007, with the Company presenting
more Ashton ballets each season than any other American Company.
A dance and theatre critic for the New York Times, Alastair Macaulay,
noted “...The Sarasota Ballet has suddenly become America’s
foremost exponent of Ashton ballets.” Held in Sarasota, Florida,
the four day celebration spans from April 30th to May 3rd, and will
feature lectures, demonstrations and an eclectic array of 11 Ashton
ballets performed by The Sarasota Ballet.
Saturday, May 3, 2014
• Lecture, Historic Asolo Theatre, 12:00 p.m.
• Film, Historic Asolo Theatre, 3:00 p.m.
• Program 4 – Sarasota Opera House, 6:00 p.m.
o Les Patineurs and a selection of Divertissements
• Festival Gala, immediately following the end of Program 4
www.sarasotaballet.org
FOCUS of SWFL 2014 47