Festival Ballet Providence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 2, 2003

Festival Ballet Providence, 401.353.1129

Providence Mayor David N. Cicilline Joins Festival Ballet Providence December 13 Onstage at PPAC for The Nutcracker

Providence, RI - Festival Ballet Providence’s December 13th 7:30 pm performance of The Nutcracker will feature a special guest artist on the PPAC stage: the City of Providence’s highest elected official, Mayor David N. Cicilline.

A keen supporter of the city’s cultural community, Mayor Cicilline has shown his commitment to the arts through the careful creation of the Department of Art, Culture and Tourism.

The Mayor has kindly offered to appear in one special performance of The Nutcracker to support Festival Ballet Providence in a production that brings an audience of over 15,000 to the center of Providence. In a tuxedo, cape and top hat, and with coaching from Festival Ballet Providence Artistic Director Mihailo Djuric, Mayor Cicilline will be featured in Act I, as a friend of the Silberhaus family.

Since Festival Ballet Providence’s move over two years ago from North Providence to its new facility at 825 Hope Street in Providence, the Mayor has attended numerous events and performances. Quote from the Mayor here, something like….

“I have been thrilled to see Festival Ballet Providence’s consistent growth and artistic excellence, and its efforts to bring top quality performances, dance training and dance outreach to the citizens of our city. I am delighted to be a part of that excitement on state, and it is an extraordinary honor to participate in this wonderful tradition,” said Mayor David N. Cicilline.

Mr. Djuric is joyful to see the Mayor’s participation in the production. “In my work, both with non-dancers in the pubic school system and with professionals and pre-professionals in the dance world, I am always encouraged by the amount of natural talent people have for dance. I am sure the Mayor is up to the challenge and will be a great addition!”

Sponsors
Festival Ballet Providence’s 2003 production of The Nutcracker is sponsored by Season Presenting Sponsor Sovereign Bank, Swarovski, David Yurman, Providence Diamond, Stern-Leach, C & J Jewelry, Armbrust International, season television sponsor NBC10, ClearChannel Communications, the Providence Phoenix and ongoing support from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts.

Tickets
Performances take place at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset Street, in Providence, RI. Performance times are Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:30 and 7:30 pm and Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 pm. Tickets priced from $17.50 to $52.50 are available by contacting the PPAC Box Office at 401.421-ARTS, or at all Ticketmaster locations, online at Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 401.331.2211 in RI or 508.617.931.2000 in Massachusetts. Group discounts are available by calling PPAC at 401.421.2997 extension # 3162.

Photo Opportunity
December 6, 2003
4:30 – 5:00 pm
Festival Ballet Providence Center for Dance Education
825 Hope Street
Providence, RI 02906

Mayor David Cicilline will be attending the rehearsals of the Nutcracker at Festival Ballet Providence’s studios at 825 Hope Street on Saturday December 6, 2003 from 4:30 to 5:00 pm. At that time over 70 performers will be present for the Act I rehearsals.

Please call 353.1129 to confirm if you will be attending.