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***visit Wolf Trap’s Dance web page throughout the summer for any potential updates or program changes***

Contact: Chris Guerre, (703) 255-4096 or chrisg@wolftrap.org
Graham Binder, (703) 255-1917 or grahamb@wolftrap.org

Vienna, VA—The 2009 dance schedule at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts features three cutting-edge dance groups never before seen on the historic Filene Center Stage — the second largest theatrical stage in North America. Making their Wolf Trap debuts are the explosive Rasta Thomas’ Bad Boys of Dance, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, and the Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

Known for their versatile style combining ballet, Broadway, tango, and hip-hop movements, the Bad Boys of Dance bring their distinctive show to the Filene Center on Tuesday, June 16. Founded by, and featuring, critically acclaimed dance superstar Rasta Thomas, Bad Boys continue to push the boundaries of dance, bringing ballet to a mainstream audience with their youthful good looks, raw masculinity, and immaculate technical precision. Featuring music from classical to popular and avant-garde, the Bad Boys appeal to all audiences. Met with rave reviews, The Boston Globe praises their movements as “absolutely dazzling dancing.”

Arriving for their Wolf Trap debut on Tuesday, July 7, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet captivates audiences with its sophisticated brand of contemporary choreography. Deeply rooted in classical ballet, this group’s integrated repertoire features work direct from the world’s leading choreographers performed by a company of top dancers pulled from dance hotbeds Aspen, Colorado and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Referred to as the “classically trained company of the future” by The Boston Herald, the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is revered as one of the top dance companies in the nation.

An established company spanning 60 years of innovation in dance and music, Merce Cunningham Dance Company consists of 14 dancers who perform alongside live contemporary musicians and visual artists. As he turns 90 this spring, Merce Cunningham continues to create innovative, progressive works, furthering his legacy as one of the world’s greatest choreographers. In its Filene Center debut on Tuesday, July 14, the Merce Cunningham Dance Company performs the innovative piece, Split Sides, in which each design element consists of two parts, by one or two artists, or in the case of the music, by two bands. The presentation order of each element is decided by chance at the time of performance, thus creating 32 possible versions of Split Sides. Music created by Radiohead and Sigur Rós specifically for this production is performed live by the Merce Cunningham orchestra.

Ticket prices for all 2009 Dance Series performances are $10 on the lawn and $38 in-house. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Tickets.com, by calling 1(877) WOLFTRAP, online at www.wolftrap.org, or at the Filene Center Box Office at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. Arrangements may be made in advance for special-needs accessibility by calling the National Park Service at (703) 255-1827. Groups of 20 or more should contact the Wolf Trap Group Sales Office at (703) 255-1851.

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