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Arts & Entertainment

CONNECTICUT BALLET TO PERFORM FOR FIRST TIME AT MXCC

Middlesex Community College welcomes the Connecticut Ballet to its campus for the first time this summer for a free outdoor “caravan performance” of classic, dramatic,
and cutting edge ballets. The special program, which is part of the Connecticut Ballet’s 30th anniversary celebration, will begin at 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 7
at 100 Training Hill Road in Middletown.   The rain location is in Chapman Hall on the MxCC campus.

Sixteen professional ballet dancers will perform pieces from three major productions, as chosen by Connecticut Ballet’s artistic director, Brett Raphael.  These include 'Paquita,' a Spanish-style classical ballet known the world over; 'Indian Summer,' a dramatic work set in 1929 on the eve of the Stock Market crash with music by Randy Newman and Nelson Riddle; and Darrell Moultrie's cutting-edge ballet, 'Pulse,' with music by the Japanese band, United Future Organization.

“We are so impressed with the beautiful campus at MxCC, and are thrilled to include it as part of our first-ever statewide Summer Dance Caravan,” Raphael said.  “People will be able to enjoy a picnic dinner, take in the beautiful vistas and enjoy top-rate professional ballet dancers at
the same time.  It is the perfect way to spend a summer’s evening.”

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John Shafer, professor and program coordinator at MxCC’s Humanities and Arts division, welcomes this visit by the
Connecticut Ballet to MxCC, along with the chance to provide the community with such an exclusive and enriching opportunity. 


“MxCC has become well known in the community for our cultural events, which are well attended and appreciated,” he said.  “There are only a limited number of dates and locations for this dance caravan this summer, so we are honored to be the venue of choice for the Central Connecticut performance.”

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In addition to a picnic, guests are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy this free event.  There will be a Connecticut Ballet souvenir tent, and food and beverages will be for sale throughout the night of the performance.  Parking on campus is free.

Summer Dance Caravan sponsors are CL&P & Yankee Gas and Capezio Balletmakers. Additional support has been provided by Hartford Foundation for Public Giving,
Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, Union Savings Bank, the Middletown Commission on the Arts, and Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation.  The Summer Dance Caravan culminates with the company’s performance on August 13 at Riverfront Recapture in Hartford.

Connecticut Ballet was founded in 1981 and is the state’s professional ballet company, based in Hartford and Stamford. For directions to all sites and/or web links to
presenting venues, visit www.connecticutballet.com.

Founded in 1966 as a branch campus of Manchester Community College, Middlesex Community College (www.mxcc.commnet.edu) is an independent member of the Connecticut Community College System. The school
offers more than 50 degree or certificate programs on its three locations:  the main, 38-acre campus in Middletown, the downtown Meriden Center, and the shoreline in Old Saybrook.  The college promotes understanding, learning,
ethics, and self-discipline by encouraging critical thinking.  Current enrollment exceeds 2,950 full and part-time students, and 1,600 continuing education students.

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