The Kansas City Ballet kicked off its season with Ballet in the Park in the Loose Park Rose Garden Sept. 4.

Ballet in the Park

Pas de Deux: Dancers in the Park

By: Laura Katzer

Posted: 9/10/07

Families, kids, blankets and chairs filled the Rose Garden at Loose Park to watch the Kansas City Ballet.

Eyes and ears were casually waiting for Ballet in the Park, the Kansas City Ballet's traditional season launch Tuesday, Sept. 4.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the Kansas City Ballet.

The mood at Loose Park was friendly and relaxed.

Kids played tag and blew bubbles. Little girls pranced around in tutus while parents with strollers rolled along the walkways. Small groups of friends and couples lounged on blankets and lawn chairs.

Some brought picnic baskets full of snacks and beverages.

The weather, besides being a little windy, could not have been better.

A little after 6 p.m. the performance began. Each piece in the performance was a highlight from the upcoming season.

It started off with three short sets: two ensembles and one pas de deux, a dance with two people, usually a man and woman. The crowd paid attention to the successive flurry of dancers who filled the stage. The music, though not live, was enchanting.

The dancers held one graceful movement after another.

An energetic performance of Twyla Tharp's "Deuce Coupe" ended the evening. "Deuce Coupe" was set to the music of the Beach Boys and featured choreography inspired by social dance styles of the sixties.

The rousing style of the last piece helped to break the mesmerized crowd. Some of the kids even started dancing along. It was a perfect out-of-your-seat crowd pleaser.

The entire performance lasted about one hour.

It was short and a great teaser. It made me crave more ballet.

Kansas City Ballet publicist Ellen MacDonald was excited about the park ballet series.

"It's been going on for quite some time in Loose Park," MacDonald said.

The ballet held five performances, each at a different park.

This year, a location in the Crossroads District was added.

The ballet plans to continue holding free monthly performances at the Crossroads District during First Fridays.

"We have been trying to find a way to perform there," MacDonald said. "We are just thrilled to death to be in the Crossroads."

The upcoming performances are Oct. 11-14 at the Lyric Theatre featuring Mozartiana, Dark Elegies and Company B; Dec. 1-23 at the Music Hall featuring "The Nutcracker"; Feb. 21-24 at the Lyric Theatre featuring the winter program with Hey-Hay in Brahms' Paganini, World Premiere; April 25-27 and May 1-3 "Romeo and Juliet" at the Music Hall.

The Kansas City Ballet offers special events for young members through an organization called the BARRE group.

"Just go to our Web site and explore we have a lot of great info [about the BARRE group] on there," MacDonald said.

The BARRE group is for ballet subscribers ages 21 to 40. They hold fun events throughout the season.

lkatzer@unews.com