2017-18 Dance Series

“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”

– Martha Graham Every dance tells a story of what it means to be human, transcending both language and culture. This season, the Ferguson Center celebrates the art of movement by showcasing three award-winning companies known for their technically superb dancers and artistic excellence. I hope you’ll join us as a series subscriber!

As a subscriber, you’ll enjoy world-renowned classical and contemporary dance at a remarkably affordable price, all from the very best seats in the house. It is only through the generosity of Riverside Performing Arts Medicine, our sponsors and donors that we are able to make our presentations more affordable than ever before, removing obstacles that prevent many from experiencing live performances. Series prices are $94 or less for all three shows, with a child/student ticket price of just $25 for all three shows. I can’t think of a better time to introduce young people to the transformative power of the performing arts.

If you love the arts and appreciate the profound impact they make in our lives (and want an even higher seating priority) please consider becoming a Partner in the Arts member. Ticket sales cover less that 60 percent of our operating costs; the remainder is made up through donor support.

I look forward to celebrating these incredible performances with you!

Special thanks to:

Through the generosity of our sponsors and donors, we are able to offer the dance series at the lowest prices in our history. Subscribers will be able to attend all three performances for $94 or less! And a child/student subscription for all three performances is just $25 - less than $10 per show!

Subscriber benefits include: • Priority seating • Deepest ticket discounts • Option to purchase additional dance series single tickets at a discounted subscriber rate • Last-minute ticket exchanges • Simple replacement of lost tickets • One-time ​annual, minimal handling charge • First opportunity to renew and upgrade seats for our next season • Advance notice of special events and performances

COVER IMAGE PROVIDED BY RICHMOND BALLET

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“This is a real company, dancing … with pride and pleasure.”

– Alastair Macaulay, The New York Times

Richmond Ballet keeps meaningful works of dance alive and produces and fosters new pieces with a mission to awaken and uplift the human spirit, both for audiences and artists alike. The company will present three works, all making their Ferguson Center debut. The eclectic program includes Gloria, a dance interpretation through Vivaldi’s hymn; Silence, inspired by the music of Estonian .. composer Arvo Part, evoking a sense of space and meditative timelessness; and Journey, showcasing the strength, vitality and physical virtuosity of the male dancer.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: $94 | $84 | $25

RONALD K. BROWN ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

“… magnificently textured style, which shifts from earthy, raw-powered movement to jumps that send dancers sailing into the air like spirits.”

– The New York Times

Founded by Ronald K. Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, EVIDENCE, A Dance Company, focuses on the seamless integration of traditional African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word, providing a unique view of human struggles, tragedies, and triumphs. The program will feature On Earth Together, and ensemble piece inspired by and set to the music of Stevie Wonder; Why You Follow, an exploration of the rhythmic pace of Afro-Cuba; and March, an extraordinary duet set to a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: $94 | $84 | $25

“An impressive performance of a classical ballet, energized with dramatic expression and sensational steps.”

– The Chronicle

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A spellbinding tale of love and deception

The esteemed Moscow Festival Ballet Company, founded in 1989 by legendary principal dancer of the Bolshoi Ballet Sergei Radchenko, brings together the best of Russian ballet. Arguably the best-loved and most famous ballet the world has ever known, Swan Lake is a masterpiece of dance and music, rich with drama and grace. Featuring a company of more than 50 dancers, the ballet weaves together a story of young love and wicked deception against a backdrop of Tchaikovsky’s lush, passionate score. Moscow Festival Ballet’s elegant sets and breathtaking choreography are sure to make this a beloved memory for audiences of all ages.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICES: $94 | $84 | $25

The Ferguson Center for the Arts is committed to bringing world-class performers to Hampton Roads and providing access to everyone. The Arts for All program is a key component to make that happen. ​​A community where everyone has the opportunity to experience the arts creates a society that is richer in understanding and broader in its appeal.

Funded by the generous donations of businesses and individuals, the program enables every citizen to experience the best the arts have to offer, providing the opportunity to inspire, educate and entertain.

Arts for All accomplishes this on several levels: Underwriting. Contributions help to underwrite the Center’s programming as ticket sales account for less than 60 percent of performance costs. Through the generous support of sponsors and donors, this year the Center can offer Dance, ​Classical​​and Family concert series, with subscriptions starting as low as $25. Additionally, the Center provides ticket vouchers used by community organizations toward their fundraising initiatives.

Access. The program makes available free and discounted tickets to a wide range of community groups, military organizations and students. During the coming season, the Center hopes to provide an estimated 5,000 subsidized tickets to these groups. The program also helps pay for services such as open captioning and assisted listening that make the arts accessible to all. Benefiting organizations include Wounded Warriors, Newport News Public Schools, Achievable Dream, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America,​ ​among ​many ​others.

Community Outreach. Funds provided through Arts for All underwrite performances and masterclasses for schoolchildren throughout Hampton Roads, both in the classroom and at the Center.

Opportunities for Christopher Newport students. The program helps to fund lecturedemonstrations, artist residencies and masterclasses, as well as provide internships and volunteer opportunities for university students.

A​rts for All was established in 2006 to provide discounted tickets to not-for-profit organizations serving children and families who would otherwise be unable to attend.

Through the support of Ferguson Enterprises, the Newport News Arts Commission, our sponsors and private donors, the program has greatly expanded to become an integral part of the Center’s mission. To support Arts for All, contact Kim Hinson, Director of Advancement for the Arts, at (757) 594-7179. For information about participating as an organization, call (757) 594-7747.

SEATING PRIORITY Seating priority is based on the date a subscriber’s order form is received at the Ticket Office and after donor subscriptions have been processed. For information on becoming a Partner in the Arts member, visit fergusoncenter. org/support. Tickets will be mailed to subscribers during the summer. Although subscriptions may be purchased up until the day prior to the first series performance, ordering by June 30 ensures access to the very best seats.

REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES There are no refunds. Subscribers may exchange tickets without charge for another Ferguson Center-presented performance during the same season, and up to one hour prior to the performance.

LOST OR MISPLACED TICKETS The Ferguson Center Ticket Office can reprint lost or misplaced tickets without charge, prior to the performance.

LATE SEATING For the consideration of the artists and our patrons, anyone arriving while a performance is in progress will be seated only at times designated by artists and their management.

ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES The Ferguson Center for the Arts strives to make its facilities and performances accessible to all patrons. This includes parking, seating and other necessary services. If you have any questions, a special accommodation or need additional assistance, please contact our Ticket Office at (757) 594-8752.

Christopher Newport University’s Ferguson Center for the Arts 1 Avenue of the Arts | Newport News, Virginia 23606-3072 Ticket Office Summer Hours (May 15 through August 15): Monday–Friday 11 am–3 pm Normal Hours of Operation: Monday–Friday 10 am–6 pm | Saturday 10 am–2 pm Ticket Office: (757) 594-8752 Administrative Office: (757) 594-7448 Website: fergusoncenter.org Email: tickets@cnu.edu All dates, times, artists and programs are subject to change.

1 Avenue of the Arts / Newport News, VA 23606-2998

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