On the Town: OKC Metro in good rhythm with upcoming music, dance events

Oklahoma’s dance and music scene is strong, with performance and festival opportunities brought in by organizations such as the Oklahoma City Ballet and the Armstrong Auditorium, with a focus on bringing more dance opportunities to the public. A new partnership is born.

OK Let’s Dance recently announced a new initiative funded by the Kirkpatrick Family Fund and three partners to empower Oklahomans through immersive dance experiences, according to a news release. These partners are his presentation of RED by the Plaza District’s Calderon Festival, OKC Ballet’s “Ballet Under the Stars” and his 2nd Best Dance Co. in Oklahoma Contemporary.

The first experience is May 7 from noon to 8pm at the Calderon Festival in the Oklahoma City Plaza District. The Calderon Festival is a free dance festival honoring the life of the late Shannon, who founded the district’s Everything Dance Studio, Calderon Prémaux. It includes jam sessions and dance classes with local and national dancers throughout the Plaza District. Master dance classes and performances are free from companies including choreographers, dancers and ballet Hispanico.

For festival information, visit plazadistrict.org/calderon.

OKC Ballet Takes the Stage Again

The Oklahoma City Ballet will conclude its official season next month at the Civic Center Music Hall, featuring works by three iconic 20th century choreographers, a news release noted.

The OKC Ballet’s “Shorts” will run May 5-7, featuring a variety of dance styles including George Balanchine’s “Western Symphony,” Gerald Alpino’s “Birthday Variation,” and Twyla Tharp’s “Golden Section.” will be

“If you enjoy a variety of dances, this is the performance for you,” artistic director Ryan Jollicourt Nye said in a release, adding that dance styles include neoclassical ballet, country and western style ballet, and athletics. mentioned that it included vibrant contemporary dance, with rock and roll.

In September, the ballet will perform “Birthday Variation” on the street during its presentation at the Gerald Alpino Centennial Festival in Chicago. Ballet will also present his two free performances of “Western Symphony” for Oklahoma schoolchildren on May 8 as part of its community engagement program Arts Reach.

For tickets, go online at okcballet.org.

Armstrong Dance begins tour

Irish step dancers and musicians from Herbert W. Armstrong College in Edmond and Armstrong Dance will begin their fourth U.S. tour on May 18, traveling through 11 states, with audiences in Oklahoma singing “Celtic Throne – The Royal Journey of Irish Dance” offers a preview. “This weekend.

The Armstrong Auditorium hosts a show on Sundays at 2:00 PM and will return at the end of the tour on July 9th and 16th.

“Celtic Throne” explores the ancient origins of Irish step dancing and honors the people who started it thousands of years ago, the release said. The show features the music of Golden Globe-nominated composer Brian His Byrne and images of Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, the British Empire and the United States.

The Armstrong Dance Group features over 30 Irish dancers from around the world, most of whom are Carey Academy students. For tickets, visit celticthrone.com or call 405-285-1010.

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