Ballet Hawaiʻi will bring “Forces of Nature" — the culminating performance of its summer intensive — to Leeward Community College Theatre for a single matinee performance this Saturday, Aug. 1.
The performance shows some of the natural powers that shape the environment, including the creative energy of a volcano and seasons. It features guest artists from across the nation, including Pacific Northwest Ballet, Carolina Ballet and Sacramento Ballet.
The summer intensive at Ballet Hawaiʻi is a four-week ballet training experience that started July 5 and culminates with the performance this weekend. Classes for intermediate and advanced dancers run Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by rehearsals until 6:30 p.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. Placement in the intermediate and advanced level summer intensive program is by audition only.
Ahead of the performance, Aloha State Daily spoke with soloists Emma Belatti and Gabe Salonga, who will perform in “Forces of Nature.”
The duo, who grew up taking classes at Ballet Hawaiʻi and each started dancing when they were about 3 years old, will be soloists for the autumn section of “The Four Seasons.” In each season, there are three movements, with everyone appearing at the start; the soloists performing a pas de deux, or duet; and then a finale, she explained.
“It's really fun,” Belatti said.
The summer intensive performance consists of three parts: "Volcanic Études," a neoclassical work by former Ballet West dancer David Weaver, set to the vibrant music of Béla Bartók; "Mother Tongue," a contemporary pas de deux by choreographer Ihsan Rustem, performed by artists of Sacramento Ballet; and "The Four Seasons," choreographed by Ballet Hawaiʻi Associate Artistic Director Christine Kaminski and set to Antonio Vivaldi’s score.
“David's music ['Volcanic Études'] is very violin and string instrument heavy,” Belatti said. “‘The Four Seasons’ is harpsichord heavy and it sounds regal. Then 'Mother Tongue' is atmospheric, like a hymn.”
The duo has previously danced together as part of a Ballet Hawaiʻi performance ensemble which makes appearances at Ala Moana Center, Shriners Children’s Hawaiʻi, and more.
In addition to "The Four Seasons," the dancers will also be part of “Volcanic Études,” a piece that illustrates a volcanic eruption.
“The whole plot of it is basically Gabe is the eruption from the volcano,” Belatti said. “And then, there's a pas de deux — a duet after that — and that's supposed to be the ash falling. And then, after that is a quartet with me and a couple of the other soloists here, and we're supposed to be the aftershocks. ... The last part is a finale with everyone, and it's rebirth.”
Tickets are $50. Use the code FORCES20 to get a 20% discount.
Katie Helland can be reached at katie@alohastatedaily.com.
