Youth Ballet ensemble set to dazzle in ‘Iconic’ performance this weekend in Macon
Many of the area’s top young dancers take to the Douglass Theatre stage Saturday when the Middle Georgia Youth Ballet presents “Iconic: A Night of Dance and Music.”
Youth Ballet artistic director Lindsay Crisp said the evening is a celebration of dance and iconic music ranging from a baroque take on The Beatles to Broadway’s Hamilton to the work of rock band Aerosmith.
And, of course, the talented young dancers.
“These are dedicated students who are already studying several days a week at great dance studios across Macon-Bibb and Houston counties,” she said. “They’ve passed an audition to be part of this year’s 22-member Youth Ballet company, which means an added dance session each week and more rehearsals for shows like this and performances we do around the community.”
Crisp said the dancers, ages 12-18, show they’re dedicated to taking their art to the next level. While some want to make dance a big part of their young lives, others take study further like past members who’ve gone on to study at universities and conservatories like the School of American Ballet. Then there are those who become professional dancers, like those currently with companies in places like St. Louis and Kansas City.
On the heels of Saturday’s performance, Middle Georgia Youth Ballet (MGYB) members will begin what Crisp called a “high-level, intensive study weekend.”
It’s important to note once students pass their audition, their instruction is free thanks to the ongoing generosity of donors, sponsors, grants and the desire of contributors to see them progress personally and the community enjoy the benefit of a quality, young dance troupe.
“’Iconic’ is a great evening of entertainment for the audience but also a chance to showcase how brilliant our young dancers are and what we’ve spent the year doing,” Crisp said. “It’s elevated from what a recital might be and a lot of fun. We purposefully tried to curate a show with many music genres to appeal to different tastes.”
The evening includes two guest choreographers, Carter Atkinson and Savannah Banks, both MGYB alumni and recent graduates from top-level dance programs.
“It’s so special to see them on this side of the performance,” Crisp said.
For the non-dance, purely music side of Saturday’s show, current MGYB company member Ella Stewart will perform a classical guitar piece. Remelie Heide, current Miss Northside High School in Warner Robins, will bring her band and sing two selections.
Crisp herself has studied dance in the U.S. and abroad and gained degrees in education, dance education and teacher leadership. She taught at Macon’s Dance Arts Studio from 2003 to 2022 and has taught at Vineville Academy of the Arts for 18 years where she’s now the fine arts chair and dance instructor.
She’s been involved with The Nutcracker of Middle Georgia since 1990 and teaches ballet, modern, jazz and pointe at the Jean Evans Weaver Center for Dance.
As for the MGYB, she’s taught its participants since 2005 and took the helm as artistic director in 2023.
“I feel I’m still learning how to do the next right thing for these kids and their passion for dance while making the Middle Georgia Youth Ballet something they want to be a part of,” she said. “I know they’re excited about Saturday. It will be a great evening for everyone.”
The show starts at 7 p.m. and Crisp said tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students at the door at The Douglass, 355 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Advance adult tickets are $15 and student tickets are $12.
Follow the Youth Ballet at www.instagram.com/middlegeorgiayouthballet. Contact the ballet at midgayouthballet@gmail.com.
It’s time for ‘March First Friday’
Don’t forget, this is First Friday weekend and downtown Macon is full of things to do in shops, restaurants, music venues, art galleries and on the streets. Catch the details by searching “March First Friday” in Facebook events for NewTown Macon’s happenings list, including family-oriented Dr. Seuss’ birthday celebrations with crafts, games, readings and book giveaways at Third Street Park and throughout downtown.
In the same way, search “First Friday Art Crawl” for The 567 Center’s list of area gallery shows, including Tameka Phillips’ first solo show at Gallery West and The 567’s 11th annual Bibb County Schools Student Art Exhibition.
Want more to do on Saturday with a couple of new, unusual events?
▪ There’s the Triangle Arts Spring Market from noon until 4 p.m. Saturday featuring inflatable costume parades all ages can participate in at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Add to that a paint party, open studios, crafts, vintage cars, modern furniture, demonstrations galore and more. See www.facebook.com/triangleartsmacon for details. It’s free.
▪ Also Saturday, Fall Line Brewing Co. presents its first-ever “Art After Dark Festival” from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Come for a glowing, under-the-stars, art-filled evening on Fall Line’s newly paved parking lot turned gallery for the night. Local artists and vendors will showcase their best work and products. Scroll down www.facebook.com/falllinebrewing for details. Fall Line is at 567 Plum St.
Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.
