Ballet Theatre of Dover to perform July 31 at Schwartz Center

The Ballet Theatre of Dover’s summer performances will be held at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Thursday, July 31, at the Schwartz Center for the Arts in downtown Dover.

The performance will feature a wide spectrum of pieces from classical ballet to contemporary. Dances from “La Bayadere” (the Temple Dancer) tell of the ill-fated love affair between a temple dancer, Nikiya, and the warrior Solor. It is a story of eternal love, passion and fate.

The ballet features two local dancers, Catherine Brooks, 15, and Jasmine Urban, 17, in one of the classical ballet repertory’s most challenging roles - Gamzatti, the Rajah’s Daughter and Nikiya, the Temple Dancer. Both of them will be partnered by guest artist Andre Texeira, a native of Brazil who currently dances with The New Jersey Ballet. He will dance the challenging role of Solor. The company’s corps of young dancers will also be challenged by the famous Act II “Kingdom of the Shades."

A more contemporary offering for the evening will be a suite of dances with music by American composers who have left indelible prints on American music. Traditional tunes including the Quaker melody “Simple Gifts” and a medley of folk songs will be joined by music of composers Aaron Copland and John Philip Sousa. The finale is a rousing tribute to the great country of America.

Tickets for the show are $15 for adults and $ 10 for students and seniors.

Purchase a ticket by calling The Schwartz Center for the Arts at 302-678–5152. Tickets are also available at the Dance Conservatory, 302-734–9717. Tickets will also be available at the box office of The Schwartz Center an hour before performances.

Go to www.dancebtd.com for more information about the Ballet Theatre of Dover.