M&T Bank Dance Series to Present The Israel Ballet at UB

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present The Israel Ballet on Feb. 23 at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North Campus. The performance is sponsored by M&T Bank. It is also sponsored in part by the Jewish Community Center of Greater Buffalo. There will be a pre-performance talk at 7 p.m.

The Israel Ballet is the only company in Israel performing the great classical and neo-classical ballets of the international repertoire. The company was founded in 1967 by Berta Yampolsky and Hillel Markman, who continue to serve as its artistic directors today. The company is comprised of dancers from all over the world, among them native Israelis, new immigrants from the former Soviet Union and guests who have been selected by audition.

The Israel Ballet is particularly known for the original works made for the company by Berta Yampolsky. This performance will feature three of her creations, including: "X-ta," "Gurreliede," and "Ni-Na."

The company has performed at prominent festivals worldwide, earning recognition and bringing honor to the State of Israel. In 1999, shortly after the restoration of diplomatic relations with China, The Israel Ballet performed in Beijing for the first time at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of Culture. Four years later, the company was invited back to perform throughout China and in January 2009 the company was one of the first to be invited to perform at Beijing's new Grand Theatre. In recent years The Israel Ballet has also achieved success in Turkey, Finland, Germany, Austria, The United Kingdom, Malta, Hungary, Italy, Cyprus and Bucharest.

Tickets for The Israel Ballet are $29.50 general admission and $16 for students (any school). Tickets are available at the Center for the Arts Box Office from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets, call 1-800-745-3000; in Canada, call 416-870-8000. For group sales, call 716-645-6771. For more information, call 716-645-2787. Students (of any school) must present valid student ID at the Center for the Arts Box Office to receive discount.