Sacramento Beer and Ballet event provides interesting combination of art and setting
By James Patrick
Sacramento Ballet moved its annual Beer and Ballet performances outside, and the effect is stunning, for more than just the scenery.
The event aims to be accessible for people who aren’t already ballet fans. Patrons get a drink ticket to use at Bike Dog, which featured several of its IPAs in pint cans last Friday.
But it’s more than just the drinks. The format makes Beer and Ballet easy to digest, with 12 six-minute segments. Each segment is choreographed by a member of Sacramento Ballet. Each segment starts with a quick introduction, sometimes cute, others melancholy, but almost always emotional.
Then comes the dancing. There’s not a lot of formal ballet, so forget about tutus and “Swan Lake.” These are dances about loss, about family, about emotions.
Set against the backdrop of the Clara building, the scenery is part of the drama. The lighting was excellent, enhanced by the red bricks on the surrounding building. The stage is covered by a tent, as are the six rows of seating. There’s also a food truck on site.
Performances run through the 21st. For more information and tickets, visit sacballet.org.
Dancers perform a piece choreographed by Isabella Velasquez called “In Blue” at Beer & Ballet, Sacramento Ballet’s season-closing showcase at SacBallet Studios on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in midtown Sacramento. The series, which runs May 6-21, features 12 new works by company dancer-artists on the James Hargrove Outdoor Performance Stage, while event partner Bike Dog Brewery provides the local craft beer next to an array of food trucks. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Kaori Higashiyama performs “More than Enough,” with choreography and costume design by Bobby Briscoe, at Beer & Ballet, Sacramento Ballet’s season-closing showcase at SacBallet Studios on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in midtown Sacramento. The series, which runs May 6-21, features 12 new works by company dancer-artists on the James Hargrove Outdoor Performance Stage, while event partner Bike Dog Brewery provides the local craft beer next to an array of food trucks. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Bobby Briscoe dances with others during a piece choreographed by Mesa Burdick called “Tzantza” at Sacramento Ballet’s season-closing showcase, Beer & Ballet, at SacBallet Studios on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in midtown Sacramento. The series runs May 6-21. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
Michelle Katcher performs “Malayah,” choreographed by Victor Maguad to portray his sister’s experience giving birth to a child that lived for only 16 hours due to a birth defect, during Sacramento Ballet’s Beer & Ballet showcase at SacBallet Studios on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in midtown Sacramento. The series, which runs May 6-21, features 12 new works by company dancer-artists on the James Hargrove Outdoor Performance Stage, while event partner Bike Dog Brewery provides the local craft beer next to an array of food trucks. Xavier Mascareñas xmascarenas@sacbee.com
This story was originally published May 12, 2022 at 6:07 AM.
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