In what the New York Times calls an “enjoyable tradition during the holiday season,” Ballet Hispánico in collaboration with the Apollo Theater makes its annual return to the Apollo stage, led by Eduardo Vilaro in his seventh season as Artistic Director. A trio of works will draw upon the innovation and versatility of one of the world’s premier dance companies to capture contemporary Latino culture through movement. The performances are supported by Goya Foods, Lead Sponsor of Ballet Hispánico.

The World Premiere of Línea Recta, choreographed by Belgo-Colombian Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and co-commissioned by the Apollo Theater, pairs the hallmark passion of flamenco dance with innovative and intricate partnering, performed to live Spanish guitar. The evening also features Cuban-American Eduardo Vilaro’s Danzón, which puts a contemporary spin on the national dance of Cuba, and Spaniard Gustavo Ramírez Sansano’s colorful, amusing and fast-moving Flabbergast, set to music by Juan García Esquivel.

“The Apollo is a treasured partner and a home for Ballet Hispánico,” said Eduardo Vilaro, Artistic Director of Ballet Hispánico. “We’re proud to bring to their stage bold and distinctive works that reflect the Latino influence on the artistic, social and cultural life of our great nation.”

“We are thrilled to have Ballet Hispánico return to the Apollo this year with these exciting works and to further extend the relationship into an even deeper partnership with the co-commissioning of Línea Recta ,” said Kamilah Forbes, the Apollo’s new Executive Producer. “Though music has always been at the core of the Theater’s mission, dance has also been an integral part of the Apollo’s DNA. We continue to honor that legacy through collaborations with esteemed companies like Ballet Hispánico.”

Línea Recta will be Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s third original work for Ballet Hispánico under Eduardo Vilaro; the Company previously commissioned and performed audience favorites Mad’moiselle (2010) and Sombrerísimo (2013). Ballet Hispánico also acquired and performed Lopez Ochoa’s Before After (2002), Nube Blanco (2008) and Locked Up Laura (2009).

Additional programs at the Apollo Theater will include special Ballet Hispánico Performances for Young People / Apollo School Day Live shows of mixed repertory for schoolchildren. Ballet Hispánico’s Performances for Young People (PYP) are interactive 50-minute productions that delight students with a guided exploration of Latin American dance forms and music. Apollo School Day Live provides new generations of theater-goers with exciting opportunities to learn about the arts, history and culture.

Tickets for the evening shows are $35-$65 and are available online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at (800) 745-3000, or in person at the Apollo Theater Box Office at 253 W. 125th Street, NYC. For more information, visit www.ballethispanico.org.

Ballet Hispánico’s New York Fall Season Program:

Línea Recta (2016) – World Premiere
Choreography by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
From one of today’s most sought-after choreographers comes a powerful and resonant work that explores an intriguing aspect of flamenco dance: the conspicuous absence of physical partnering. While maintaining the integrity and hallmark passion of the genre, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa imagines an original and explosive movement language premised upon the theme of partnership and performed to live flamenco guitar by Eric Vaarzon Morel. Línea Recta came to fruition through Ballet Hispánico’s Instituto Coreográfico, an innovative choreography lab program for Latino dance makers.

Danzón (2012)
Choreography by Eduardo Vilaro
Initially evolved from Haitian contradance, the Danzón has been called the official dance of Cuba. Eduardo Vilaro has taken this traditional and quintessentially Cuban dance form and reinvented it with contemporary language to construct a joyous celebration of music and movement.

Flabbergast (2001)
Choreography by Gustavo Ramírez Sansano
Latin lounge meets spontaneous combustion in this quirky yet joyful piece set to the music of Juan García Esquivel. Inspired by his experience of coming to America for the first time, choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano exposes with humor our stereotypes and preconceived ideas about new and foreign places. Flabbergast is dedicated to the choreographer’s mother, who taught him how to dance the bayón.

Goya Foods is the Lead Sponsor of Ballet Hispánico’s New York Fall Season.

Major support for Ballet Hispánico’s New York Fall Season was provided by
The James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation.

MetLife Foundation is the Official Tour Sponsor of Ballet Hispánico.

Univision Communications, Inc. is Media Sponsor of Ballet Hispánico.