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Menlowe Ballet celebrates one year with new works

by Renee Batti

From a neoclassical work by the ballet master of the San Francisco Ballet, to choreographer Michael Lowe's homage to instrumental vintage surf music, Menlowe Ballet is set to offer audiences a wide-ranging dance experience when it stages its one-year anniversary performance Oct. 5-7.

The performance, which will also feature the premiere of Mr. Lowe's "Serei," will be in the Bayside Performing Arts Center at 2025 Kehoe Ave. in San Mateo.

Mr. Lowe, a principal dancer and choreographer with the Oakland Ballet for many years, is the Menlo Park-based ballet company's artistic director. He has established a reputation in the world of choreography for a bold style based on contemporary form that borrows from classical dance.

Much of his work is rooted in cultural themes, such as "Serei," which means "spirit" in Japanese. The work, one of three on the October program, follows the reflections of a woman journeying through memories of past lives, according to Lisa Shiveley of Atherton, a co-founder and the executive director of Menlowe Ballet.

Ms. Shiveley said the company is thrilled about the chance to perform the new work "Songs" by Betsy Erickson, a former dancer with the American Ballet Theatre and the San Francisco Ballet and now the SFB's ballet master.

"It is an honor and a privilege to have her work become part of our repertoire," Ms. Shiveley said in a written statement. "Our dancers have had an invaluable and inspiring experience working under her mentoring and exacting eye."

"Songs" is set to six orchestral songs, with soprano voice, by Richard Strauss.

The third work on the program is "Surfside," which features dancers in beachwear and a live musical performance by Paul Stinson of the Radishes and the Stripminers, and John Baker of Lotus Rush and Story Road.

The performances will be at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 5 and 6; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 7.

Tickets are $28 to $45, and may be purchased at menloweballet.org or by calling 800-595-4849.

Posted by C. AHern, a resident of the Woodside: Kings Mountain/Skyline neighborhood, on Sep 26, 2012 at 12:04 pm

Michael Lowe will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions with his works. It is amazing how he is able to tell a story without words with the talented dancers that are with Menlowe Ballet. All dance enthusiasts owe it to themselves check it out!

Posted by Andressa Thorne, a resident of the Menlo Park: Central Menlo Park neighborhood, on Sep 26, 2012 at 12:50 pm

Speechless!

Michael Lowe is an amazing choreographer and this company is very promising.

The way their bodies move are the most accurate representation of human emotion. They put on a wonderful performance for adults and children.