Join us for this special performance designed just for families! Family Matinees are the perfect introduction to Charlotte Ballet and the world of dance. Energy and discovery abound at Spring Works Family Matinee with a shortened, one-hour performance featuring Tsukiyo, Minus 16 and Stepping Over. Here’s an inside scoop on what your child will learn and play at our Family Matinee!
Minus 16 was choreographed by Ohad Naharin, the artistic director of Israel’s Batsheva Dance Company. Batsheva is rooted in Naharin’s teaching of “Gaga,” a movement language and pedagogy that emphasizes a dancer’s somatic experience. Use of mirrors and traditional dance attire are not the focus of Gaga, as a greater importance is placed on improvisational techniques that allow dancers to express their own movement that may be ignored by other dance forms. Get moving at our own dance improvisation class before the show!
Helen Pickett’s Tsukiyo was inspired by Japanese mythology and references the folklore of a moon god who comes to earth for one night and falls in love with a human. The Japanese word “tsukiyo” (月夜) translates to “moonlit night,” and the choreographic work is a duet between the two characters. We are partnering with Guerilla Poets – a local nonprofit hoping to empower their community through creativity – for a poetry exploration station. Children will write their own haikus to introduce them to Japanese poetry and see how their narratives could inspire other artworks like Tsukiyo.
Play with dominoes while learning about potential energy, taking inspiration from Minus 16! How can dominos relate to dance? Minus 16 utilizes the choreographic device of “canon,” when a movement or phrase is repeated one after the other like in this video. The reaction of dancers one after another has the same physics principals as falling dominos. A standing domino on its end stores a certain amount of potential energy which releases and pushes the next one over. Explore science and energy for yourself before the show!
The costumes sketches here are from Filipe Portugal’s new work, Stepping Over. Design a dance skirt of your own inspired by all of the costumes at Spring Works! With vibrant and pastel tulle, discover your inner costume designer at our dance skirt creation station!
In addition to the pre-show family-friendly activities, you’ll also be guided through the performance by an on-stage host. Our Education Administrator, Kimberly, will offer behind-the-scenes insights, take you through a demonstration of stage lights with members of the production team and lead a Q+A after the performance with dancer James Kopecky!
Child tickets are only $15! Pre-show activities begin at 1 PM, followed by the performance at 2 PM. Family Matinees and the $15 child ticket price are presented by The Leon Levine Foundation. Attendees must purchase regular priced tickets for adults attending. Ticket orders will be checked before printing.
Three new choreographers and a return of audience favorite, Minus 16. See why our dancers think you'll love Spring Works
Charlotte Ballet welcomes the return of Ohad Naharin's Minus 16 at Spring Works. See why our dancers love this work!
