Ballet on the Beach: All to know about the serene dance festival coming soon to Assateague
The season of dance is right around the corner, and you can witness the picturesque period right here on the Eastern Shore — and yes, on the beach.
Join an assembly of ballet dancers for a day filled with educational fun at the inaugural Ballet on the Beach Dance Festival. Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming, family-friendly event.
Where and when is the event being held?
The Ballet on the Beach Dance Festival is a free outdoor professional dance performance coming to Assateague State Park that will act as a conduit to connect the community, environment and performing arts. The inaugural event, cosponsored by Assateague State Park, is scheduled for Sept. 23, 2023, with a rain date of Sept. 24.
Taking place outdoors along the Atlantic Ocean, attendees are invited to bring beach chairs or towels to enjoy professional dance artists performing in a natural shoreline setting. In addition to professional performances, other festival activities include environmental talks, a community dance class, art activities for children and a post-performance Q&A.
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“When you make your way over the bridge to the island, you feel like you enter into a different world where everything moves in harmony. On a normal day you can see butterflies floating over the dunes, while waves roll and dolphins dive. You can hear the marsh grasses sway, ponies galloping, and birds singing,” said Vanessa Salgado, founder of Ballet on the Beach Dance Festival.
“Adding the art of dance to the mix will be a joy for audiences to experience," Salgado added. "We’re excited to welcome everyone and hope to grow the festival into a landmark summer event, one that families across Maryland, the Northeast, and beyond can look forward to attending for years to come.”
Festival lineup and eco-talks
The inaugural season of the Ballet on the Beach Dance Festival will feature performances from a wide range of ballet companies, choreographers and guest dancers on Assateague Island, a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Sinepuxent Bay on the west.
Those set to make an appearance include the New York City-based Continuum Contemporary Ballet featuring the choreography of Directing Artist Donna Salgado, works by festival guest choreographer Eric Trope featuring guest dancers, an appearance by Georgina Pazcoguin otherwise known as the “The Rogue Ballerina,” and performances by Andrea Allmon of the Washington Ballet, Ballet Theatre of Maryland and the Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre.
Audience members will learn about the history of Assateague Island, volunteer opportunities and the wild ponies in an environmental talk from Meghan Rhode, assistant park manager of Assateague State Park. Greg Atkin, community engagement specialist of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, will also present an eco-talk about the coastal bays watershed.
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Meet this year's artists and speakers
CONTINUUM CONTEMPORARY BALLET
Continuum is a New York City-based dance company comprised of classically trained dancers with contemporary artistic voices. Led by Directing Artist Donna Salgado, the company performs work that plays in the concert dance spectrum while celebrating a progressive spirit of dance.
ERIC TROPE
Festival guest artist Eric Trope is a choreographer, dancer, répétiteur and teacher. Trope has performed professionally with the Miami City Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet and Ballet X, among others. Discover his artistry and see his choreography come to life at the inaugural festival.
GEORGINA PAZCOGUIN
Often referred to as the “Rogue Ballerina,” Georgina Pazcoguin is a former soloist ballerina of the New York City Ballet, and the company’s first Asian American dance artist ever to be promoted to an upper tier. She is cofounder of Final Bow for Yellow Face and a producer of "Here Lies Love," the new David Byrne and Fatboy Slim musical on Broadway.
ANDREA ALLMON
Entering her eighth season, Andrea Allmon — a member of the Washington Ballet — recently made her debut as Polyhymnia in George Balanchine's "Apollo," the Snow Queen in Septime Webre's "The Nutcracker" and The Lilac Fairy in the Washington Ballet's production of "Sleeping Beauty."
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BALLET THEATRE OF MARYLAND
Based in Annapolis, Ballet Theatre of Maryland produces high-caliber classical and contemporary ballet performances that engage the mind spirit, and hearts of Marylanders. BTM performs at venues throughout the state.
MILAN MISKO
Milan Misko, filmmaker in residence, is an artist whose critically acclaimed dance film, "Transportation," was presented at the Dance on Camera Festival at Lincoln Center. He has worked with many companies, including Jessica Lang Dance, filming and producing promo videos, TV commercials and the multimedia production, "This Thing Called Love," featuring the art, music, and voice recordings of Tony Bennett.
EASTERN SHORE BALLET THEATRE
Celebrating over 30+ years of performances, Eastern Shore Ballet Theatre is a pre-professional ballet company that has gained statewide recognition for its annual presentations of "The Nutcracker" and an impressive repertoire of ballets performed during their Spring Gala seasons including "Swan Lake," "Coppélia" and "Sleeping Beauty."
MEGHAN RHODE
Meghan Rhode of Assateague State Park has worked in parks for over 20 years. She began at Pocomoke River State Park and later was an Assateague State Park ranger, a role she had for 13 years. She is currently the assistant park manager of Assateague State Park, Maryland Park Service.
Olivia Minzola covers communities on the Lower Shore. Contact her with tips and story ideas at ominzola@delmarvanow.com.
This article originally appeared on Salisbury Daily Times: Here's all to know about the 2023 Ballet on the Beach Dance Festival
