Northwest Florida Ballet's 40th anniversary season

The Northwest Florida Ballet will celebrate its 40th anniversary during its 2009-2010 season.  

Over the last 40 years, NFB has presented 393 performances from Panama City to Pensacola, performing for an estimated 340,000 people, conducted 55 lecture demonstrations to more than 13,000 children and hosted 60 free outdoor performances to an estimated 48,000 people.

The 40th anniversary season begins as the NFB rings in the holidays in grand style with its annual holiday tradition The Nutcracker. Patrons are invited to experience a young girl’s journey through the magical Kingdom of the Sweets as she encounters whimsical toy soldiers, a whirlwind of hilarious mice, flurries of snowflakes and a visit from the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy. This ballet has been a family favorite since 1892, when Marius Petipa, the senior ballet master of the Russian Imperial Ballet, commissioned Tchaikovsky to compose a full-length ballet based on the E. T. A. Hoffman story. Performing the roles of the Sugarplum Fairy and her Prince will be Katia Garza of the Orlando Ballet and international guest artist Israel Rodriguez. NFB Artistic Director and CEO Todd Eric Allen will reprise his role as Herr Drosselmeyer. The sponsors for this production are The Boeing Company Charitable Trust and Whitney National Bank.

Performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 21 and 2:30 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Mattie Kelly Arts Center at Northwest Florida State College. Children will have an opportunity to attend the Kingdom of the Sweets party after the Sunday matinee performance. Party tickets will be sold separately.

NFB will host its much-anticipated Ruby Celebration event Jan. 30 at the Sandestin Hilton. The event will feature gourmet food, ruby wine and the celebration of dance. The Ruby Celebration is being held to commemorate 40 years of brilliant dancing and public outreach along the Emerald Coast. Tickets will be $60 each and made available in the fall.

Another E. T. A. Hoffman tale takes center stage in the spring when the NFB performs Dr. Coppelius’ Magic Toy Shoppe. Originally titled “Coppelia”, this ballet was choreographed by Arthur Sait-Leon and set to the beloved score of Leo Delibes. The whole family will enjoy the escapades of the eccentric inventor Dr. Coppelius and his life-sized doll Coppelia. International guest artists Eleanor and Ian Carney will perform the roles of the high- spirited Swanhilda and her fickle boyfriend Franz. The sponsor for this production is Barlotta Financial Group of Wells Fargo Advisors.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. March 20 and 2:30 p.m. March 21 at the Arts Center. A Tutu Couture party for girls will be held in conjunction with this event at Toy Magic in Uptown Station. Call NFB for more information and to purchase tickets.

The 2009 – 2010 ruby season will conclude with NFB’s free outdoor Starlight Ballet performances at Rosemary Beach. Call ballet’s offices for further dates and times.

“We are extremely proud to be a part of this community and celebrate with our faithful patrons 40 years of brilliant dance, community outreach and love of the arts,” said Artistic Director & CEO Todd Eric Allen. ”It is our sincere hope that we will be able to celebrate another 40 years here on the Emerald Coast. Our dancers, students, staff, parents, sponsors and board members thank you.”

Season subscriptions are now available for the upcoming season.  Tickets to individual performances will be available four weeks prior to performance dates. Call the NFB office at (850) 664-7787 or visit nfballet.org for tickets and additional information.