National Ballet shines with the Aguas Vivas show

National Ballet shines with the Aguas Vivas show
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, October 15, 2012

The waters of the best national dance company bathed the MáximoAvilésBlonda room, at the Palace of Fine Arts, with the unforgettable showAguasVivas (Living Waters), a demonstration of the high level that the largest dance company in the country, the Ballet NacionalDominicano (Dominican National Ballet) has reached.

“with this show, the Dominican Republic has become the venue for the Caribbean and Latin American dance.”

The Dominican public enjoyed the world premiere of AguasVivas, a showby renowned Belgian-Colombian choreographerAnabelLópez Ochoa, and afterwhichthis feast of rhythms has been named.

The National Ballet was accompanied by the prestigious Ballet Hispánico, which made its debut in the country, in addition toDominican Prima Ballerina Michelle Jiménez, along with Puerto Ricandancer and member of the Washington Ballet, Luis Torres.

Culture Minister JoséAntonio Rodríguez and U.S. Ambassador Raul Yzaguirreled the opening night of the magnificentshow, which started on Thursday.  The Department of Communications of the Ministry of Culture offered a review of the event.

Rodríguez stated that, “with this show, the Dominican Republic has become the venue for the Caribbean and Latin American dance.” He also acknowledged the efforts made by the organizers, led by MarinellaSallent, Director of the National Ballet and Johanna WiesedeMera, President of the PatronatoDominicanopor la Danza (Dominican Board of Trustees Pro Dance).

The performancereceived support from the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic, as part of the “Get-Together” events, which celebrate the ethnic diversity of the Americas. The Honorable Ambassador Yzaguirre said that “the U.S. Embassy is proud to include prominent individualsfrom the Dominican-American community as part of this initiative.” He showed satisfaction at “the positive results obtained from the intercultural get-togethers.”

Each presentation was memorable: the AguasVivasshow brought together the Spanish zapateo (tapping) and Flamenco, in additionto other Latin rhythms with Cuban flavor produced by the Club Habanashow,by choreographer Pedro Ruiz. There was also aleisurely walk through a diversity of sons: mambo, cha chacha, bolero and rumba, which closed the performance in a superb manner, proving once again that dance is alive in this land which is surrounded by the sea.

The Ministry of Culture is working hard topromote dance.An example of these efforts is the recent forum that was headed by the Minister himself, where the discussion with key industry actors revolved around the status of the national dance, the need for working in a collaborative manner to allow the sustainable development and strengthening of this art form in the country.

Winners: Roan Gil,. Gina Ruiz and Marvin del Cid