Ballet Hispánico
50 Year Legacy Experience
with Artistic Director and CEO
Eduardo Vilaro
In its most recent performance at Eisenhower Auditorium, in 2018, Ballet Hispánico focused on dances by Latina choreographers. In this recorded video event, Ballet Hispánico Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro guides viewers on a journey through his company’s past, present, and future.
From the literal and metaphorical burning of New York City in the 1970s through the company’s fiftieth-anniversary celebration, the event showcases some of dance’s most influential, innovative, and inspiring artists. Vilaro narrates the video, which showcases beautiful and engaging Latinx repertories.
Founded in 1970 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan by Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispánico has become a catalyst for bringing communities together to celebrate and explore Latinx cultures from around the world. The company, representing a number of nationalities, brings to the stage training in modern and classical dance plus ballet.
A former Ballet Hispánico dancer, Cuban-born Vilaro has—as choreographer, artistic director, and CEO since 2009—infused the company with a vision of social equality, cultural identity, and quality arts education.
“Ballet Hispánico has been a gem of the New York dance scene for years …,” writes a Village Voice reviewer. “Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro gives his troupe … opportunities to work with choreographers from around the world, producing contemporary works of bold technique that illuminate concerns of Latino/a identity and resiliency.”
The presentation includes excerpts of the following dances: Danse Creole by Geoffrey Holder; Tres Cantos by Talley Beatty; Group Portrait of a Lady by Vicente Nebrada; Batucada Fantástica by Vicente Nebrada; Recuerdo de Camp Amor by Talley Beatty; Cada Noche Tango by Graciela Daniele; Solo by Susan Marshall; Good Night Paradise by Ramón Oller; Guajira by Pedro Ruiz; Palladium Nights by Willie Rosario; Nube Blanco by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa; Asuka by Eduardo Vilaro; and Con Brazos Abiertos by Michelle Manzanales.
Watch the event beginning at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17. It will be available for streaming until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 24.
The event run time is approximately 53 minutes.
2020–2021 Up Close and Virtual season sponsors
Funding for advertising for this event is provided through a grant made possible by The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and the Centre County Board of Commissioners.
Contributions from the members of the Center for the Performing Arts and a grant from the University Park Student Fee Board help make this program free of charge.
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