Aspen Santa Fe Ballet to Perform as Part of M&T Bank Dance Series

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Center for the Arts at the University at Buffalo will present Aspen Santa Fe Ballet on April 21 at 8 p.m. in the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts, UB North Campus. The performance is sponsored by M&T Bank. There will be a pre-performance talk at 7 p.m.

Described by The New York Times as "A breath of fresh air," Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) stands out as a model of what a small ballet company should be with its "musicality, athleticism and technique-conscious delivery." Its versatile and gifted troupe of 10 young dancers perform an eclectic repertoire of pieces by some of the world's foremost choreographers.

ASFB's founder, Bebe Schweppe, was a visionary when she made the decision in 1996 to create a company that residents in the Aspen Valley could call their own. Initially based solely in Aspen, Colo., a second home for the company was created, in 2000, in Santa Fe, N.M.

With its sophisticated repertoire and broad appeal, combined with a successful blend of entertaining and engrossing contemporary dance, ASFB is one of the real success stories in American dance today. Audiences have embraced this vibrant company at many prominent dance festivals and venues worldwide.

Orchard Park, N.Y., native Samantha Klanac has performed with ASFB for eight years. Klanac trained at the American Academy of Ballet, and later was on scholarship at Chautauqua Institution, New York State Summer School of the Arts and School of American Ballet. She also had the distinction of performing with American Ballet Theatre Studio Company. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Empire State College, Center for Distance Learning.

The program will include pieces by Nicolo Fonte, William Forsythe and Jorma Elo. It will also include a piece entitled "Sue's Leg" by Twyla Tharp. "Sue's Leg" was made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts' American Masterpieces: Dance Initiative, administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts.

Tickets for Aspen Santa Fe Ballet are $23.50 general admission and $13 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 at 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.