Nashville Ballet will be showcasing an outstanding line-up of dance works its 2009 Winter Series.
Artistic Director Paul Vasterling’s light classical piece, Adjustable Wrench, opens the program, followed by international choreographer Twyla Tharp’s Sinatra Suite, a debonair tribute to the romantic vocals of Frank Sinatra. The third work, Clowns and Others, choreographed by Salvatore Aiello, is an audience favorite in which dancers frolic through a variety of everyday vignettes, examining the foibles of human nature.
Set to Prokofiev's "Visions Fugitives, Op. 22”, and performed live by pianist Robert Marler, the twenty-minute ballet is set for 14 dancers in clown-like costumes.
Closing out the program is the bold energetic Jungle, choreographed by James Canfield. Imagine exotic birds of paradise coming to life in this lush and urban environment. The set is painted by artist Tom Cramer in fluorescent colors, featuring objects that transform into other things: An outline of lips becomes a cat, a drum becomes a plant. The costumes appear to be painted on the dancers bodies as they athletically navigate the many levels of jungle. Each of these four ballets will be performed at every performance.
A special Family Matinee has been added to this performance series with one show only on Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 pm. This collection of dances is geared towards the younger audiences of age three and up. It is the perfect introduction to dance and music in a professional setting utilizing shorter pieces with “kid-friendly” story lines. The matinee will feature Clowns and Others, “The Rose Adagio” from Sleeping Beauty (where Princess Aurora must choose among the handsome princes), and the charming narrated ballet, Degas and the Little Dancer.
Ballet Buddies tickets will be available for the Family Matinee. A Ballet Buddie ticket includes a kid-friendly lunch and free valet parking at the Hermitage Hotel, a premium seat for the matinee, and the opportunity to meet dancers, have photo taken with a dancer, and have a backstage tour after the performance.
Tickets for Ballet Buddies are $84.00 per person, and available by calling 615-297-2966, ext. 10. Single tickets are available with prices ranging from $21.50 - $72.50. Tickets are available by calling 615-255-ARTS, online at Ticketmaster.com, in person at the TPAC box office downtown or at Davis-Kidd Booksellers in The Mall of Green Hills, or by visiting www.nashvilleballet.com. Groups of ten or more receive a 20% discount and can be ordered through Nashville Ballet by calling 615-297-2966, ext. 10 or emailing mbenning@nashvilleballet.com.
Performance Dates:
Friday, Feb. 13 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 14 8 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 15 matinee 2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.
**Special Family Series matinee on Saturday, February 21 at 2:00 pm (Features Clowns & Others, “The Rose Adagio” from Sleeping Beauty, and the charming Degas and the Little Dancer)
Polk Theater - TPAC
Abortion Rights
1. LGBTQ+ People Get Abortions
LGBTQ+ people get abortions.
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While straight women are often the focus of conversations about abortion, queer women, trans, nonbinary people, and intersex people get abortions, too. In fact, lesbian (22.8%) and bisexual (27.2%) women who have been pregnant are more likely to have had an abortion than heterosexual women (15.4%) who have been pregnant, according to the Human Rights Campaign.
2. The fight for abortion rights and the right to gender-affirming care are connected
LGBTQ+ people fighting for abortion rights
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Like attacks and bans on gender-affirming care across the country, abortion bans challenge the fundamental principle that everyone should have the ability to control their own body — free from outside interference or pressure, especially from politicians. Attacks on both gender-affirming care and abortion should remind us of the countless challenges LGBTQ+ communities, and other communities who are marginalized because of racism and discrimination, have overcome to assert their rights and claim their space. By championing reproductive rights, queer people can help dismantle oppressive systems that seek to control and limit personal agency, ultimately fostering a society where everyone, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can thrive.
3. Abortion Stigma Damages Mental Health, Especially for Queer People
abortion and mental health
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Abortion stigma carries harmful mental health risks. Research shows that people who experience abortion stigma may face higher levels of psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is especially true for queer communities.
4. Abortion Bans Put Family Planning at Risk
Family Planning
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Many LGBTQ+ people look to assisted reproductive technology, adoptions, or surrogacies to start a family. Heightened restrictions for abortion and other reproductive health care could potentially harm queer peoples’ ability to make decisions with their own family planning. Support of abortion rights means LGBTQ+ people can have reproductive options and the flexibility to make decisions about their family planning — everything from abortion to IVF.
LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality go hand in hand as they both strive to stop discrimination and inequality. Access to legal abortions as well as reproductive rights are crucial in achieving gender equality. By fighting for abortion rights, the LGBTQ+ community advocates for bodily autonomy and reproductive choices, and takes a firm stance against gender-based discrimination and inequality. By championing reproductive rights, the LGBTQ+ community contributes to dismantling oppressive systems that seek to control and limit individuals' agency, ultimately fostering a society where all individuals, regardless of gender or sexual orientation, can thrive and exercise their rights.
How to Get Involved
Real change can only be achieved through collective action and solidarity. While efforts to advance LGBTQ+ rights have progressed in recent years, these protections are not guaranteed. Engaging in the fight for abortion rights can help ensure a more equitable future for everyone. Visit Planned Parenthood to get involved.