Kyiv City Ballet of Ukraine’s inaugural tour of the United States will make Fort Worth and Bass Hall its only stop in Texas in October as 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. on October 3. Tickets start at $35.
The evening will begin with a mixed repertoire from the Texas Ballet Theatre.
“We are honored to share the beauty of ballet with American audiences through Ukrainian artists,” artistic director Ivan Kozlov said in a statement. statement. “To tour the United States for the first time with a line of ballets is an important global statement.
“This demonstrates the resilience of the Ukrainian people.”
Previously, they have visited dozens of countries on four continents, all over the past decade.
The company has been blocked in Paris since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24. She had left for Paris for a tour on February 23. The Russians invaded the next day. When the troupe left, they only took props and costumes for their Nutcracker performance and were only able to obtain more performance materials and other necessary things through the generosity of donors. The city of Paris has entrusted the company with a temporary artistic residence at the Théâtre du Châtelet. The company performed throughout France and other European countries as the dancers remained in limbo as the war dragged on.
“We are honored that Rhizome (Rhizome Arts Consulting, which produces the company’s tour) has been asked to produce and strategically support Kyiv City Ballet on their first-ever US tour,” producer Kristopher McDowell said. . “That great cultural arts centers across the country come together to open their doors, and their hearts are extraordinary. It is clear that this company and its artistic talent will appeal to both non-dance and dance audiences.
At the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in June, former winner Vadym Kholodenko, born and raised in Ukraine, performed a moving rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem before the event’s closing ceremonies at Bass Hall.
