So you think you can dance? Prove it this Saturday (July 27) as Dance Theatre of Tennessee celebrates National Dance Day, a nationwide program by the DizzyFeet Foundation and the Hit Fox TV Show So You Think You Can Dance. 
Beginning at 9:00 a.m., the entire community is invited to celebrate by participating in free dance classes and workshops (see scheule below) at the DTT Center for Dance studios (2710 Old Lebanon Rd). Also, community participants will have the opportunity to learn routines provided by So You Think You Can Dance and be included in the taping to be sent to So You Think You Can Dance as well as the national telecast of all National Dance Day participants. 

Dance Day participants are also invited to participate in The "Stacked Box Community Mural Project.” This is a community-wide art project thought up by Nashville artist Myles Maillie. Participants are invited to paint 18" boxes to contribute to the final piece of community artwork which will be on display at The Hermitage, home of President Andrew Jackson, during Fall Fest at The Hermitage. The community's response to this collaborative art piece has drawn the attention of the Guinness Book of World Records.

Schedule of Free Classes:

9:00-10:00 a.m. - Zumba

9:00 – 9:45 a.m. – Angelina Ballerina Tiny Tots Dance

10:00-11:00 a.m. - HipHop

11:00-12:00 p.m. Contemporary

12:00-1:00 p.m. Latin Ballroom

1:00-2:00 p.m. - Jazz/Musical Theater

DTT announces 2013-14 season

DTT celebrates romantic love stories, exotic tales, engaging narratives and magical fairytales for its fourth performance season titled From Page to Stage. DTT Artistic Director Christopher Mohnani announces “the 2013-2014 season will showcase Dance Theatre of Tennessee’s continued growth as it solidifies its role as the community’s storytellers on toes while staying true to its mission of bringing ballet to the people.”

The season will commence with the second annual Ballet in the Park featuring Giselle. In partnership with Metro Parks, Dance Theatre of Tennessee ushers in Artober, Nashville’s citywide and month long art celebration with the romantic and tragic story of Giselle. Having Centennial Park as the background, DTT hopes to further enrich the community’s appreciation for dance and ballet by making it accessible and up-close.  Named as “Best Dance Series in Nashville,” DTT is excited to bring back Ballet in the Park this time on a two-weekend run. 

Giselle tells a haunting and poetic tale of a peasant country girl who falls in love with a Prince and the heartache and tragedy that ensues. Long considered as one of the most loved Romantic ballet, Giselle offers the perfect balance of artistic challenge and visual and emotional satisfaction for the audience. Performances will run from September 20 – 29, and a special Artober performance on September 30. Performance starts at 7:30 p.m. with a pre-show entertainment at 6:30 p.m.. All performances are at the Centennial Park Bandshell.  A kids tent, concessions and merchandise boutique as well as food trucks will be available on site.

As the holidays draw closer, DTT will delight audiences throughout Middle Tennessee with its charming full version tour of  The Nutcracker. Children and adults alike will enjoy this timeless classic as Dance Theatre of Tennessee brings this beautiful production to a city near you. Critics have described DTT’s Nutcracker as having a “Christmas Tree that sprouts like a bean stalk right on cue, waltzing flowers, a veritable blizzard of swirling snowflakes, a ravenous Rat King and of course it features the most tasteful and graceful ballerinas appearing anywhere this side of the Land Sweets.” From November 22 to December 22, DTT will bring the magic of this holiday classic to 6 counties around Middle Tennessee.

DTT offers the perfect post-valentine celebration with East Meets West, a diverse and eclectic line-up of some of the most celebrated Asian choreographers in the world. Offering their take on a predominantly Western Art form (ballet), the evening will feature romantic duets, forceful statements, and indigenous vignettes. Included in the program is Hazel Gower’s Green, the former Ballet Memphis Choreographer’s ode to Mother Nature; Two lovers exploration on themselves and each other in Romance from Manuel Molina, formerly of Ballet Caracas. Ballet Philippines’ Alden Lugnasin has Flippers, a wacky and eccentric take on synchronized swimming in the city.  Anchoring the evening is Vinta (Sailboat), Ballet Philippines’ Gener Caringal will transport us to South East Asia with its glorious water and majestic sailboats. Performances are on February 22 and 23, 2014 at Father Ryan Auditorium.

The season will draw to a close with our Story Book Series featuring the Nashville premier of Alan Hineline’s Hansel and Gretel. The ballet follows the classic fairy tale and adventures of Hansel and Gretel. Hungry and lost in the forest, they stumble upon a house made of confections. They find themselves welcomed by a witch whose keen interest in them has a sinister motive. With sets by New York City based designer Lewis Folden and costumes by Betty Smith, Hansel & Gretel is wholesome family entertainment filled with a multitude of choreographic twists and turns. 

Also included in this evening is Paquita Grand Pas Classique. With Spanish flair and bravura, this technically demanding piece is a major cornerstone of the traditional ballet repertory and has been staged by ballet companies throughout the world. Performances are on May 3 and 4, 2014 at Father Ryan Auditorium.

Other highlights of the season include the continuation of DTT’s successful Anti- Bullying Ugly Duckling outreach performances, which runs throughout the year, as well as a special In-Studio Choreographer’s and Children’s Ballet Series.

For updates and additional information on Dance Theatre Tennessee’s exciting performance schedule, including dates, venues, tickets and school outreach performances, please visit www.dancetheatretn.org.