May is the month most celebrated by dance, and Bay Crossings readers—particularly classical music fans—have three major events to consider in this regard.
Tony Bennett and k.d.lang will perform at Davies Symphony Hall for the Black & White Ball on Saturday, May 22. Photo Courtesy of San Francisco Symphony
By Paul Duclos
Published: May, 2010
The San Francisco Ballet, the oldest professional ballet company in America, will be concluding its 2010 season with Prokofiev’s Romeo & Juliet during the first and second weeks of May. Based on Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers, Helgi Tomasson’s full-length ballet is deep in character and rich in humanity. A luscious, desperately romantic tale set to the remarkable score of one of Russia’s greatest composers makes this grand-scale production look promising indeed.
The company has also announced the repertory and performance schedule for its 78th Repertory Season. SF Ballet’s 2011 Repertory Season will include the presentation of three full-length works, including a new production of George Balanchine’s Coppélia, co-produced with Pacific Northwest Ballet (PNB). The production will have its PNB premiere in June 2010 and will be a Company premiere for SF Ballet in March 2011.
Meanwhile, the San Francisco Symphony will be making a departure from the classical canon to bring back its annual Black & White Ball on Saturday, May 22, featuring Tony Bennett and k.d. lang at Davies Symphony Hall. The dancing, of course, begins afterward when the party moves to the War Memorial complex, where Kool & the Gang will be headlining the street party. Tiempo Libre, Faith Evans and other bands will contribute to the entertainment, and McCall Associates will provide the food and libations.
This concert and party benefits Adventures in Music, bringing music into the lives of every single student in the first through fifth grades in the San Francisco Unified School District. Your ticket helps ensure this music legacy for San Francisco’s youth.
And finally, dancing will be a central theme as the San Francisco Opera welcomes Maestro Nicola Luisotti at the Bently Reserve on May 27.
“Sundown at the Golden West Saloon” is an exclusive gala celebrating the opening of the 2010 Summer Season and the 100th Anniversary of Giacomo Puccini’s The Girl of the Golden West, conducted by Luisotti.
Patrons of this celebration will be transported back to the Old West circa 1850 with its legendary miners, outlaws and frontier women in pursuit of fame, fortune and gold. At sundown, guests will celebrate the commencement of the Summer Season at the welcome reception, complete with cocktails straight from the Sierra Madre. Immediately following, guests will enter the hall to dine, participate in a brief live auction, and, of course…dance.
All proceeds from “Sundown at the Golden West Saloon” will support San Francisco Opera Guild’s education and community outreach programs. Each year, San Francisco Opera Guild brings the magic of music to over 50,000 young people throughout Northern California.
