BALLETX Takes the Stage as Philadelphia's Only Contemporary Ballet Company at the Live Arts Festival

BALLETX Takes the Stage as Philadelphia's Only Contemporary Ballet Company at the Live Arts Festival

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- BALLETX premieres September 7 to 10 at 7:30 p.m. and September 11 at 2 p.m. at the Arts Bank Theater, 601 S. Broad St., as part of the Philadelphia Live Arts Festival. Christine Cox and Matthew Neenan, renowned for their work with Pennsylvania Ballet and Phrenic New Ballet, founded BALLETX in 2004 to provide a unique platform for gifted choreographers and classically trained, athletic dancers to practice their craft in new and daring ways.

BALLETX's debut, entitled "2Different", will feature original works by Mr. Neenan and London-based choreographer David Fielding, performed by a company of artistically gifted dancers. Both choreographers combine an edgy, contemporary sensibility with a deep and abiding passion for classical ballet. Mr. Neenan's work, About February, will be performed to live music by award- winning accordionist Lidia Kaminska, and Mr. Fielding's work, Easy Living, to music by Stephen Reich.

Trained at the Pennsylvania Ballet School and the Philadelphia High School for the Performing Arts, Christine Cox has been a member of the Pennsylvania Ballet since 1993. A versatile dancer, she has premiered works by, among others, Jorma Elo, Rennie Harris, Alonzo King, Matthew Neenan and David Parsons. Her choreographic accomplishments include "Ashen," inspired by the events of 9/11 and "Les Trois," a blend of ballet and hip hop to music by Fatboy Slim.

Trained at the Boston Ballet School and the School of American Ballet, Matthew Neenan has been a member of the Pennsylvania Ballet since 1994, performing a diverse range of classical and neoclassical roles. His choreographic accomplishments include Frequencies for Phrenic New Ballet and numerous commissions for the Pennsylvania Ballet, including his most recent work, the critically acclaimed 11:11 set to music by Rufus Wainwright.

"2Different" will also feature Pennsylvania Ballet dancers Laura Bowman, Jermel Johnson, Tara Keating, Meredith Rainey, Francis Veyette and freelance performer Miko Doi-Smith.

For additional information or to schedule an interview, please contact Christine Cox at 215.917.1513.

To purchase tickets, priced at $20, please visit http://www.livearts-fringe.org/; call 215.413.1318; or visit the box office at National Building Side Door, 119 Arch St.

Source: BALLETX

CONTACT: Christine Cox, Co-Artistic Director, BALLETX, +1-215-917-1513,
cccox69@aol.com

Web site: http://www.livearts-fringe.org/

Web site: http://www.balletx.org/

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