Courtesy Kyiv City Ballet
Ukraine’s Kyiv City Ballet’s inaugural United States tour will make Fort Worth and Bass Hall its only Texas stop, in October, part of a 13-city fall excursion.
Performing Arts Fort Worth and Texas Ballet Theater present “A Tribute to Peace — North Texas Welcomes Kyiv City Ballet,” a neoclassical work choreographed by Ekaterina Kozlova and Ivin Kozlov, is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 3. Tickets start at $35.
The evening will begin with a mixed repertory from Texas Ballet Theater.
“We are honored to share the beauty of ballet with U.S. audiences through Ukrainian artists,” says artistic director Ivan Kozlov in a statement. “Touring the States for the first time with a range of ballets makes an important global statement.
“It demonstrates the resilience of the Ukrainian people.”
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Courtesy Kyiv City Ballet
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Courtesy Kyiv City Ballet
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Courtesy Kyiv City Ballet
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Courtesy Kyiv City Ballet
Previously, they have toured dozens of countries on four continents, all in the last decade.
The company has been stuck in Paris since the beginning of the Russian invasion on Feb. 24. It had left for Paris for a tour on Feb. 23. The Russians invaded the very next day. When the troupe left, it only took props and costumes for its Nutcracker performance and have only been able to get more performance materials and other things needed through the generosity of donors. The city of Paris gave the company a temporary artistic residency at the Théâtre du Châtelet. The company has been performing throughout France and other European countries as the dancers remained in limbo as the war dragged on.
"We are humbled that Rhizome (Rhizome Arts Consulting, which is producing the company's tour) has been asked to produce and strategically support the Kyiv City Ballet on their very first tour to the United States," producer Kristopher McDowell says. "That major cultural arts centers across the country are coming together to open their doors, and their hearts are extraordinary. It is clear this company and their artistry will greatly appeal to non-dance and dance audiences alike."
During the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in June, past winner Vadym Kholodenko, born and raised in Ukraine, played a stirring rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem before the event’s closing ceremonies at Bass Hall.
