Glass (Ballet) Slippers: Ballet Quad Cities' "Cinderella" at the Adler Theatre

Written by Thom White
April 22, 2013
There were two particular elements that made Ballet Quad Cities’ Cinderella (which ran for two Adler Theatre performances on April 20) especially watchable beyond Courtney Lyon’s exquisite choreography: clear storytelling, and humor. Not at one moment during Saturday evening’s performance did I find it hard to figure out which part of the fairytale was being depicted in dance, even down to the details of what specific characters were doing and feeling at all times.
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Dancer instills confidence in Cinderella, vice versa

April 18, 2013
By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com

In Emily Kate Long's lithe, poised, precise body, the fairy-tale heroine Cinderella is not some dainty waif waiting to be rescued by a handsome prince. She calls the shots and gets the guy her way.

The 24-year-old Rock Islander embodies the title role for Ballet Quad Cities in Sergei Prokofiev's 1945 setting for the second time.

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"Cinderella" is enchanting pairing of Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities

By: Diana Nollen
CEDAR RAPIDS — Cinderella charmed her handsome prince and enchanted young and old alike at the Paramount Theatre on Saturday night. (4/13/13) It repeats at 2:30 p.m. today (4/14/13).

Before the show even started, a sweet little girl behind me couldn’t contain her giddiness and declared to her parents: “I can’t wait to see Cinderella.” As the audience was exiting 90 minutes later, a distinguished gentleman turned and said to his friends: “Aren’t we glad the ballet came to town.”

My sentiments exactly. This new pairing of Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities is magical indeed.

The two entities brought Sergei Prokofiev’s 1945 ballet to its toes and a large audience to its feet with an evening that kept even the tiniest princesses enthralled. I heard no fussing, saw no squirming, but did notice plenty of souvenir tiaras bobbing through the lobby afterward. The little girl behind me was hoping to snag a magic wand during intermission. She happily settled for a candy bar.

The orchestra, as always, was magnificent, weaving through music that’s no fairytale to play. This is a demanding score that perfectly captures the flavor of every moment and propels every twirl of Ballet Quad Cities’ immense artistry.

Hoofin' It: Ballet Quad Cities' "Love Stories: Love on the Run," at the Scottish Rite Cathedral

River Cities Reader Review
Written by Thom White
Monday, 18 February 2013

While bearing the same title as 2012's Valentine’s Day-themed offering, Ballet Quad Cities’ 2013 Love Stories: Love on the Run – two performances of which were held on February 16 – offered several new short pieces along with “Newsflash,” one of my favorites from last year’s presentation. And Saturday night’s entertainment delivered a mixture of sensuality, flirtatiousness, and exquisite beauty, culminating in a romantic experience that left me doe-eyed with emotions linked to love.

Q-C dancer transitions to coach and creator

By Jonathan Turner, jturner@qconline.com

Maggie Huling's maternal grandfather recently died in December, but his love of dance and jazz lives on in her original choreography for this Saturday's "Love Stories" byBallet Quad Cities.

"I attribute a lot of my artistic instincts to growing up around my grandfather," the 30-year-old native of Kalamazoo, Mich., said this week. "A lot of my movement in the piece comes from me dancing around with my grandfather."

Experience the Quad Cities With Ballet Quad Cities

Feb. 02, 2013 QCOnline  Argus/Dispatch
-- Year founded and mission: Ballet Quad Cities was founded in 1996 by executive director Joedy Cook. Our mission is to provide professional classical and contemporary dance to the entire community through outstanding performances, entertaining lecture-demonstrations and innovative educational outreach programs for people of all ages.

Nutcracker passes muster with a youthful audience

David Burke, Quad-City Times

Feel free to clap when you see something you like, Ballet Quad-Cities executive director Joedy Cook told more than 1,000 grade-schoolers who were at the Adler Theatre on Friday.

And by the time the 1-hour, 45-minute production of “The Nutcracker” was finished, quite a few of them ended up with sore hands.

Ballet Q-C triumphs again with Nutcracker

Jonathan Turner, Dispatch//Argus

DAVENPORT -- "The Nutcracker" ballet is magical on so many levels.

The mesmerizing, sumptuous 1893 score by the romantic Russian Peter Tchaikovsky. The merry Christmas Eve setting, with a mysterious toymaker, presents, and life-size dolls. An enchanted dream as a nutcracker and rat king do battle, and the old nutcracker is transformed into a dashing young prince. The wondrous sights of dancers cavorting beneath falling snow. And the exoticism of a "Land of Sweets" and its parade of varying cultures and choreographic treats.
 

'Nutcracker' will dance into Adler Theatre this weekend

Ballet Quad Cities will team up with Orchestra Iowa, based in Cedar Rapids, this weekend to present a holiday classic, "The Nutcracker."

Performances will begin at 1 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, and 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, at the Adler Theatre, 136 E. 3rd St., Davenport.

According to a news release from Ballet Quad Cities,"This weekend marks the return of 'The Nutcracker' to the Adler Theatre stage, with an incredibly important component -- a live, professional orchestra."

Following the 7:30 p.m. Saturday performance, audience members are invited to a reception in the lobby of the Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport, beginning at approximately 9:30 p.m., where they can mingle with the Ballet Quad Cities dancers and Orchestra Iowa musicians, and enjoy light appetizers and beverages. A cash bar will be available.

Tickets are $12, $17, $27 or $35. They are available at the Adler Theatre box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at (800) 745-3000, and at Ticketmaster outlets.

ARTS ALLIANCE OPENS FUTURE: Q-C ballet, Cedar Rapids-based orchestra debut partnership

David Burke, Entertainment Editor
Quad-City Times

They’re still in the throes of the honeymoon phase of a long-distance relationship, but both of them believe they’re in it for the long haul.

And if the response from the performers, directors and audience at this past weekend’s performances of “The Nutcracker” is any indication, it’s a perfect match.

REVIEW: ‘Nutcracker’ shines with glorious, magnificent artistry at the Paramount

CEDAR RAPIDS — “The Nutcracker” is a shimmering, triumphant pas de deux for Orchestra Iowa and Ballet Quad Cities.

Ballet QC unfurls a spooky, sensual 'Dracula'

MOLINE -- In its 16th season opener, Ballet Quad Cities performs for the first time at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 1800 7th Ave. A heavenly, sexy, melodramatic production it is -- the timely and timeless gothic tale of love, lust, horror and death, "Dracula."

New St. Ambrose Grad Brings Chemistry to Dance

CLICK to read about Ballet Quad Cities dancer and SAU grad Jacob Lyon

Ballet Quad Cities Announces Upcoming Season Performances and Partnership With Orchestra Iowa!

BQC 2012-2013 Season Announced

Cheers to Ballet Quad Cities!

Cheers & Jeers

Ballet Adds First Development Director

Ballet Quad Cities now has the first development director in its 16-year history.

Ballet Q-C finds 'Love on the Run'

For those who like dance in bite-size pieces, Ballet Quad Cities brings back a tasty buffet of "Love Stories" this weekend.

There are seven wildly varying romantic pieces on the program -- the company's first in Augustana College's Wallenberg Hall -- including new dances by five choreographers.

Performing, sharing her art keeps Q-C ballerina on pointe

ROCK ISLAND -- The peach ballet shoes soon will wear out, but they're an extension of her body for now.

"I started pointe when I was 12 years old. They've been a part of my feet for a long time," Margaret Huling said.

10 Questions With Jacob

Interview with Jacob Lyon by 4dancers, a blog for dancers, dance teachers and others interested in dance.  Learn more about Jacob Lyon, who is in his tenth season with Ballet Quad Cities.