Tag: Ashtabula Arts Center

Film by Bob Lebzelter chronicling Ballet Theatre Ashtabula at Harbor film festival

The Ashtabula Harbor’s heritage outdoor film series ends Friday, August 23, with a 50-minute documentary by retired journalist (and Ashtabula Arts Center volunteer videographer) Bob Lebzelter on the grueling work it takes to put on a dance program at the Ashtabula Arts Center. “Fly On” chronicles the hours of work dancers and instructors put into the effort. While Ballet Theatre Ashtabula is known for its holiday “Nutcracker” offering, the Spring Dance Recital also requires dancers to spend hours and hours in practice and learning and creating choreography.

The film will be shown in the green space immediately west of Bridge Street Art Works, 1009 Bridge St.  Should it rain, the film will be shown the following week.

Lebzelter spent a month shooting video, chronicling the dancers as they evolved. “We take you to the practice rooms as students try different moves, make mistakes and try again,” Lebzelter said. “Then we quickly whisk you to the Arts Center stage. You will experience the dancing as I shoot right from the stage, from the audience’s perspective, from behind the stage and even above on the catwalk. I remember looking in back of me to see how much room I had so I wouldn’t fall off the stage while recording,” he said.

Students simultaneously worked on classic ballet and contemporary dance. The film interviews several of the participants about why they dance and what life lessons they get.

“Physically, dancing is incredibly difficult,” said dancer Jayson Gage. “Your body is doing things it doesn’t naturally do, like turning out and lifting your leg above a certain point, jumping as high as you can.”

The film looks back at the program as Director of Dance and instructor Clover Robinson goes over a photo of the troupe in the 90s and discusses the many people who ended up with careers in dance in far-flung areas of the world. It also looks to the future with young dancers, some not even in school yet.

“I think you will come away with an admiration for what these kids have accomplished and respect for their work ethic,” Lebzelter said.

Previous films in the harbor series have looked at Hulett unloaders, the Finnish contribution to the Harbor and the county’s agricultural heritage, as seen through 100 barn quilts. The films are free and appropriate for all ages. People should bring lawn chairs.

Dancer/Choreographer Lonnie E. Daivs Jr offering master class at AAC in August

Professional dancer and choreographer Lonnie E. Davis Jr. (http://lonniedavis-dance.com/) will be teaching a master class in Modern Contemporary Dance at the Ashtabula Arts Center on Monday, August 5 from 1-2:30 p.m. This class will incorporate elements of both modern and contemporary dance, offering students an opportunity to learn exciting new movement phrases, and to build upon their existing technique, becoming more versatile dancers. The class is open to dance students of all experience levels, ages 9 through adult, and the cost is $25 per person. Call (440) 964-3396 to register.

Get half-price tickets to “Lucky Stiff” with donations to the Animal Protective League

Get half-price tickets to the performance of Lucky Stiff on Sunday, August 4 when you donate items for the Ashtabula County Animal Protective League. Drop off donations and purchase half-price tickets at our front desk. And join us for Bellyrubs Over Broadway on Saturday, August 3 between 11 a.m. & 2 p.m. — a special meet & greet event with some of the APL’s adoptable pets, right here at the Arts Center!
NEEDED ITEMS:
wet & dry cat food
wet & dry dog food
kitten food
Cat-Sip milk alternative
cat & dog treats
kitty litter
puppy pads
cat & dog toys/Kongs
smooth peanut butter
outside toys for dogs
Q-Tips
hydrogen peroxide
pens
legal size envelopes
Magic Erasers
liquid laundry detergent
hand soap
dish soap
bleach
garbage bags
brooms & dust pans
scrub brushes and pads
copy paper
stamps
desk/wall pamphlet holders
25ft exterior extension cords

Open spots at Dining for the Arts events this summer, fall, & winter

All Dining for the Arts events with spaces still open are listed here. To make reservations, call (440) 964-3396 or stop in at our front desk. PLEASE NOTE: some of these events have only a handful of openings left, so we recommend that you you make reservations early. Addresses for private residence event locations are not posted here, but will be provided to you at the time you make reservations; all events are located in Ashtabula County.

Night at the Gallery: a Masquerade – October 19 at Framed on Main, 4533 Main Ave, Ashtabula, 6:30 p.m.

Hosted by Anthony & Mariella Platano, Jane Haines & Chris DiGiacomo, Abram & Sarah Noufer
$75 per person
Hear live music by Lyn Rocco, learn to do the Waltz or the Charleston with Brenda Angle, and take part in a silent auction and Best Dressed costume contest. Come have fun and support a great cause!
Menu
Small Bites highlighting Local Chefs
Beer, Wine, Signature Drink

A December to Remember Holiday Party – December 7, 6 p.m.
Hosted by Ashok & Nafisa Kondru
$150 per person
Hold back the cold at a festive evening including live entertainment, a top shelf open bar, mingle dinner buffet, and valet parking.
Menu
Welcome Drink
A Variety of Hors d’oeuvres
Baked Potato Bar & Salad
Prime Rib (Carving Station)
Chicken Piccata
Grilled Halibut
Roasted Vegetables
Rice & Bread
A Selection of Desserts

Concerts on the Lawn presents Broadway Misfits

The Ashtabula Arts Center presents their very first Misfits Concert! Our talented performers include Hannah Sowry, Libby Kendzerski, Marcus Lowery, Jacob McKee, Max Seymour, Derek Lebzelter, and Jessica Lebzelter. These extraordinary singers will be performing songs from roles in which they would never be cast. There will be a diverse selection of musical theater including music from “Wicked,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Miss Saigon,” “Bridges Of Madison County,” and many more.

Concerts on the Lawn are free events, open to the public. Bring chairs or a picnic blanket and relax on the lawn outside Straw Hat Theatre. Concessions will be available; outside refreshments welcome. The 2019 Concerts on the Lawn series is sponsored by Nassief Auto Group.

Make reservations for “Authentic Ireland” Dining for the Arts event

There are still spots available at our first Dining for the Arts event, “Authentic Ireland,” on Friday, June 14 at 7 p.m. Guests will enjoy dinner followed by a trip through “The Hills of Ireland,” a 00 gage model railroad set in 1970’s Ireland, then traditional Irish music and a pint in the pub! This event is generously hosted by Patrick Dillane & Maureen Tanner.

MENU: salmon appetizers, Dublin Coddle (sausage, bacon, and onion stew), mashed parsnips, carrots, roasted Brussels sprouts, & Bailey’s bread pudding. $75 per person — all proceeds benefit the Ashtabula Arts Center. Location info will be provided upon reservation & request — call (440) 964-3396 to make reservations.

“Carrie” opens this Friday at Straw Hat!

Our 2019 Straw Hat Theatre season opens Friday, June 7 with Carrie, based on the novel by Stephen King, directed by Kim Godfrey, and featuring Bailey Walters as Carrie White, Aubrey Brail as Margaret White, Libby Kendzerski as Sue Snell, Sarah Riley as Chris Hargensen, Jacob McKee as Tommy Ross, Hannah Sowry as Miss Gardner, and Marcus Lowery as Billy Nolan.  Call (440) 964-3396 or order tickets online here.

Carrie runs June 7-9, 14-16, & 20-22. All Straw Hat shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Straw Hat Theatre 2019 is sponsored by KeyBank.

Spring for the Arts raffle tickets available now

We’re holding a “Spring for the Arts” raffle right now, with a prize of $1000! Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased at the front desk, as well as from AAC Board members. Proceeds from the raffle will benefit the general fund, which supports all of our programming. The drawing will be held June 1.

Final performances of “Fly On” today and tomorrow!

May 4 at 7:30 p.m., May 5 at 2 p.m.
Call (440) 964-3396 for tickets, or order online.

Win a season pass to Straw Hat Theatre at the Spring Dance Concert this weekend

Come and see Fly On this weekend, and you might win a season pass to Straw Hat Theatre 2019! We’ll draw two season pass winners at each performance of the spring dance concert this weekend. Fly On runs May 3-5, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets, call (440) 964-3396 or order online. Fly On features choreography styles ranging from classical ballet to contemporary dance to musical theater, set to music by Chromatics, Coldplay, Shostakovich, Philip Glass & Blondie, and more. This is the show that demonstrates everything dance can be, in all its varied, innovative, and beautiful forms.

Two BTA dancers have been accepted into Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s summer intensive

Ballet Theatre Ashtabula dancers Avery Nank and Amaris LaSalle have been accepted into Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s summer program. Elyse Pitkin of The Gazette spoke with them, and with Clover Robinson, our director of Dance, about the accomplishment, and what they want to take away from the experience. Read the story here.

Hip Hop teacher Ryan Rosinski is back at AAC this summer

Ryan Rosinski, professional Hip Hop dancer and a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance, is returning to the Arts Center to offer a new experience: a series of summer Master Classes, as well as a special Choreography Workshop! This Workshop will offer an in-depth exploration of Hip Hop choreography and staging. Participants of the Workshop are invited to perform on July 27 in the Wine and Walleye Festival on Bridge Street in the Historic Ashtabula Harbor. PLEASE NOTE: anyone who wants to participate in the Choreography Workshop is required to attend all 3 Master Classes. If you are not taking part in the Workshop, the Master Classes can be taken either individually or as a series. Open to ages 7 through adult. No dance experience needed — beginners welcome!