SU’s Pulse to present Ballet NY Nov. 2

SU’s Pulse to present Ballet NY Nov. 2October 19, 2006Jaime Winne Alvarezjlwinne@syr.edu

As part of the 2006-07 season of Syracuse University’s Pulse, the New York City-based dance troupe Fugate/Bahiri Ballet NY will perform Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. in Goldstein Auditorium in the Hildegarde and J. Myer Schine Student Center. The program is co-sponsored by Daphna and Gerald B. Cramer ’52, an SU trustee. Free parking is available in the Harrison and Lehman lots.

Tickets for Ballet NY — $5 for SU students with valid SU I.D.; $10 for SU faculty, staff and alumni; and $20 for the general public — can be purchased at the Schine Student Center Box Office. For more information, call 443-4517 or visit http://pulse.syr.edu.

Founded in 1997 by former New York City Ballet principal ballerina Judith Fugate and international guest artist Medhi Bahiri, the company’s artistic directors, Ballet NY is composed of accomplished principals and soloists who previously performed with the New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theater, Dance Theater of Harlem and the Joffrey Ballet, among others. The troupe’s mission is to present audiences with the highest level of professionalism and artistry possible; cultivate, educate and develop new audiences; and provide expanded artistic opportunities for accomplished dancers and choreographers.

“This is the second time Ballet NY has performed at Syracuse University. At their last performance, it was standing room only, so this is truly an event not to be missed,” says Cramer. “The program will once again feature a piece titled “Orange” — like The `Cuse. I can hear the `bravos’ already.”

In addition to the Pulse performance, Ballet NY will hold a ballet master class for students in the Department of Drama in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). The class, an extension of the company’s visit to the SU and Syracuse community, is closed to the public.

“Ballet NY is thrilled to present another exciting mixed bill program at SU’s Goldstein Auditorium,” says Fugate. “Our program for the Pulse performance ranges from the dramatic `Othello’ by world renowned choreographer John Butler, to the fiercely energetic and sensually athletic `Once Before, Twice After,’ choreographed by newcomer Thaddeus Davis.”

Pulse provides SU students and the Central New York community with opportunities to attend and participate in programs, performances, exhibitions and events in the visual and performing arts. It is a collaborative project of SU’s Division of Student Affairs and VPA.

Pulse is now hosting weekly podcasts on its web site, http://pulse.syr.edu, and will feature a preview of the Ballet NY performance Nov. 2-8. Graduate students in the Goldring Arts Journalism Program in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications produce the podcasts.