New Bedford Ballet
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday
3:30pm-7:30pm
Saturday
8:30am-12:00pm
2343 Purchase Street
New Bedford, MA 02746
508-993-1387
newbedfordballet@gmail.com
The New Bedford Ballet is hosting its annual spring fundraiser on Sunday, March 18, from 2pm to 5pm at the NBB Community Theatre, 2343 Purchase Street in New Bedford. The afternoon will include an array of elegant desserts and beverages, live music provided by members of the New Bedford Symphony Youth Orchestra, and performances of an adaptation of The Firebird by the New Bedford Youth Ballet at 2:30 and 3:30 pm. All proceeds will benefit New Bedford Ballet’s arts education and dance scholarship programs.
Based on Russian folktales and the mythological Phoenix, The Firebird was originally performed in 1910 as part of Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, with music composed by Igor Stravinsky. Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault, artistic director of New Bedford Ballet, has modified the original story to increase its educational value and family appeal, while still maintaining its original symbolism and energy.
The New Bedford Youth Ballet will also be performing The Firebird for elementary schools in Fairhaven, Marion, New Bedford and Westport in March as part of their Bringing Mythology to Life Program. This program will continue the Youth Ballet’s tradition of merging academics with the performing arts. With support from the Fairhaven and New Bedford Cultural Councils, individual informational workbooks will be provided for students, and a mythology related art project and music and story CDs will be provided for the schools’ art and music teachers .
A special additional performance of The Firebird will be presented at Children’s Hospital Boston, providing hospitalized children and their families a magical evening as they witness the splendor of the art of ballet.
The New Bedford Youth Ballet is a company of the New Bedford Ballet Foundation, Inc. Founded in 1987, the Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and present classical ballets, grant scholarships, and educate the community in the beauty of this performing art. Aided by the financial support of the Foundation, thousands of area school children and senior citizens have had the opportunity to participate in the performing arts.
Tickets: Adults $15, Seniors and Students $10, and Children $5
For more information, call the New Bedford Ballet at 508-993-1387.
Winter Session Starts Thursday January 5th
The Schwartz Center for Children and New Bedford Ballet are pleased to offer the Partners in Dance Program, an adaptive dance program designed for children with developmental challenges who are partnered with their typically developing peers, relatives, or teachers. This innovative program will be offered on Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the Schwartz Center for Children under the direction of Ms. Rebecca Waskiel-Marchesseault, artistic director of New Bedford Ballet. With assistance from Mr. James Brown, master ballet instructor at New Bedford Ballet, and staff members from the Schwartz Center for Children, students with developmental challenges will explore the world of dance and creative movement in a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Each class includes a unique theme around which a warm-up, creative movement and a craft activity are based. Each child will be partnered with a sibling, relative, peer, or adult, and together they will share this unique experience designed to foster creativity and self esteem.
Since 1947 the Schwartz Center for Children has served as Southeastern Massachusetts’ only independent, community-based provider of education, therapy and medical care for children with special developmental and medical needs. Founded in 1987, the New Bedford Ballet Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and present classical and contemporary ballets, grant scholarships, and educate the community in the value of the performing arts. Throughout the years, aided by the financial support of the Foundation, thousands of area school children and senior citizens have had the opportunity to enjoy the world of dance.
For more information about this program or others offered by New Bedford Ballet and the Schwartz Center for Children, contact the New Bedford Ballet at 508-993-1387, or contact the Schwartz Center for Children at 508-996-3391 or visit their website www.schwartzcenter.org.
See class schedule here.
Have you always dreamed of learning ballet? Or have you simply been looking for an alternative to the drudgery of the gym? Improve your strength, balance, coordination and maybe, just maybe, wind up feeling more graceful than you ever thought possible. Join us in this fun, engaging, no-stress, no-experience-necessary beginner adult ballet class. Drop-ins welcome. Wear comfy clothes; leotards not required.
Not a beginner? We also offer a class for those with some prior training. Perfect for all ages - from college students missing their dance classes back home to gently aged adult dancers whose stage career has ended (or never quite begun). Same great relaxed atmosphere as the beginner class but with a little more to challenge you.
Tuition info for adult classes.