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Ballet Arkansas and the North Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) announce their partnership in the launch of Ballet Arkansas Presents Live at the Plaza, a series of free performances and educational classes in May 2021.
Location | Argenta Plaza, 510 Main Street, North Little Rock
Dates | April 30th - May 1st & May 21st - 23rd
Ballet Arkansas Presents Live at the Plaza performances feature the full company and will include works of classical and contemporary dance by world-renowned choreographers, making use of the stage, water features and open space in Argenta Plaza. Recreational classes, sponsored by ACANSA, will be accessible for all ages and abilities. Arkansas Department of Health guidelines will be enforced for a safe learning and viewing experience. Attendees will be asked to practice social-distancing and wear masks when closer than six feet. Dancers will maintain appropriate distance from audience members. Reservations are not required.
“The arts are crucial to quality of life in North Little Rock,” said Karen Trevino, President & CEO of the North Little Rock CVB. “We are excited to partner with Ballet Arkansas and North Little Rock government, businesses and nonprofit organizations to bring Argenta Plaza to life this year. We hope the program will bring the local community together as well as attract visitors by highlighting North Little Rock’s thriving arts and culture.”
Ballet Arkansas Presents Live at the Plaza is sponsored by the North Little Rock CVB, the City of North Little Rock, First Orion, ACANSA Arts Festival of the South, Taggart Architects, Fit 2 Live and the Argenta Downtown Council.
CLASS & PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Program 1
Features excerpts from the classical "Raymonda" suite, Hannah Bradshaw's "Solace", Paul Tillman's "Echo", and Alice Klock and Florian Lochner's (Flock) "Aperture". The evening finishes with a brand new work choreographed by Deanna Stanton, "Water Work", featuring the Argenta Plaza water wall.
Weekend 1
Friday, April 30
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6 - 7pm: Program 1 Matinee Performance *NEW PERFORMANCE!
Saturday, May 1
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8 – 9am: Pilates at the Plaza
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9 – 10am: Stretch & Strengthen
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10 – 11am: Jazz at the Plaza
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11am – 12pm: Ballet on the Grounds
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1 – 2pm: Program 1 Matinee Performance
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7 – 8pm: Program 1 Evening Performance
Sunday May 2
*Update 4/28/21 4:00pm
Classes and performances on Sunday, May 2nd have been postponed due to the inclement weather forecasts. Please check back for updates.
Program 2
Features excerpts from the classical "Raymonda" suite, Paul Tillman's "Echo", Matthew Larson's "Satie", and Yoshito Sakuraba's world premiere "There I Was." The evening finishes with a brand new work choreographed by Deanna Stanton, "Water Work", featuring the Argenta Plaza water wall.
Weekend 2
Weekday classes Monday, May 17 - Thursday, May 20 from 8 - 9am at the Plaza have been postponed due to weather forecasts.
Friday, May 21
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11:30am - 12:30pm: Program 2 Performance **NEW PERFORMANCE!
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7 – 8pm: Program 2 Performance *UPDATED TIME
Saturday, May 22
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8 – 9am: Pilates at the Plaza
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9 – 10am: Art Start
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10 – 11am: Dancing with Dogs **NEW
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11am – 12pm: Ballet on the Grounds
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1 – 2pm: Program 2 Matinee Performance
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6 – 7pm: Program 2 Evening Performance *UPDATED TIME
Sunday, May 23
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8 – 9am: Rise & Shine Silver
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9 – 10am: Stretch & Strengthen
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10 – 11am: Jazz at the Plaza
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11am – 12pm: Unbound: Improvisational motion for well-being
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1 – 2pm: Program 2 Matinee Performance
CLASS DESCRIPTIONS
Pilates at the Plaza - An invigorating start to the day filled with rejuvenating meditation, stretching, and core work. Ideal for ages 12+.
Stretch and Strengthen - A cardio workout for all levels, blended with stretching designed to align the body and activate core muscle groups. Ideal for ages 10+. Multiple levels offered.
Jazz at the Plaza - An upbeat jazz class designed to delight the body and boost energy and metabolism. Ideal for ages 9+. Multiple levels offered.
Ballet on the Grounds - An introduction to the fundamentals of ballet in a stress-free environment. Perfect for beginners and adult dancers ages 12+.
Unbound: Improvisational Motion for Wellbeing - A class designed to reduce anxiety and improve mobilization, catered to those in need of deep relaxation and postural alignment. This class is ideal for those in high-stress jobs such as first responders and educators, and for those seeking a clarifying emotional and physiological reset to the week. Ideal for ages 16+. Multiple formats offered.
Rise & Shine Silver - A class designed to engage and enrich seniors through providing a source of social interaction while introducing light stretching and strengthening exercises, and activities, to improve mobility, balance, and cognitive function. Ideal for ages 60+.
Art Start - An introduction to creative movement and the fundamentals of dance for the whole family. Perfect for families with young children (4-7), Art Start infuses the family structure with creativity and introduces new forms of expression."
“Before and after classes and performances, Live at the Plaza attendees are encouraged to dine local at one of North Little Rock’s excellent restaurants, several of which are within easy walking distance of Argenta Plaza,” Karen Trevino said. “Main Street in downtown North Little Rock will also be closed to traffic the weekend of May 21, so there will be even more opportunities for families and groups to enjoy dining together.”
Argenta Plaza, 510 Main Street, North Little Rock
In early 2021, Ballet Arkansas approached the North Little Rock CVB with a desire to activate Argenta Plaza in new ways through the presentation of free public performances and education programs. Ballet Arkansas and the North Little Rock CVB planned Live at the Plaza to provide the public with access to culturally-enriching and engaging activities and events. “Reaching diverse populations composed of both devoted and untapped audiences, Live at the Plaza has the potential to inspire a collective appreciation for the performing arts and for the Argenta Arts District,” said Michael Fothergill, Ballet Arkansas’s Executive and Artistic Director. “Live at the Plaza is the first step towards an annual presence of Ballet Arkansas programming in the Argenta Plaza.”
Completed in late 2019, Argenta Plaza is a community space, owned by the City of North Little Rock and managed by the North Little Rock CVB, that has been the catalyst for more than $50 million in economic development in downtown North Little Rock. Argenta Plaza is open to the public but can also be booked for private events through the North Little Rock CVB.