The Sarasota Ballet perform, for the first time, George Balanchine’s evocative and exotic Bugaku April 27-28. This remarkable ballet was a tribute by Balanchine to the refined elegance of Japanese music and dance, and during its world premiere renowned dance critic Anna Kisselgoff referred to it as the “sexiest show in ballet.” Bugaku portrays a Japanese wedding ceremony and has been described as having the “subtlety of Japense painting on silk, the strength of Japanese wrestlers.” With its use of color, stylized movement and ritualistic mood, alongside the respect shown for the dance and consummate courtesy of the dancers to each other, Bugaku plays a faithful tribute to the ‘Gagaku’ traditions of Japanese art. These performances also mark a special anniversary, as The Sarasota Ballet pays tribute to the genius of George Balanchine during the 30^th Anniversary of his passing. Bugaku is performed alongside Antony Tudor’s The Leaves are Fading and Sir Frederic Ashton’s Marguerite and Armand in The Sarasota Ballet’s production of Great Masters of Dance, April 27 – 28 at the Sarasota Opera House and accompanied by the Sarasota Orchestra. Tickets available at 941.359.0099 and www.SarasotaBallet.org

Sarasota Ballet