West Hartford-based Ballet Theatre Company will hold its third annual ‘Dancing for a Cause’ performance on Oct. 12.

The Dance Collective2. Photo courtesy of The Hartford Dance Collective

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Ballet Theatre Company’s third annual “Dancing for a Cause” benefit performance will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, with performance beginning at 7:30 p.m. at 30 Arbor St., Unit B14 in Hartford’s newest performing arts space belonging to the women empowered dance company, The Hartford Dance Collective.

This year’s proceeds will benefit the Bridge Family Center of West Hartford.

Three years ago, after hearing the devastating news of the tragic shooting in Las Vegas taking so many lives, Artistic Director Stephanie Dattellas felt the need to do something about it – and the best thing she knew how to do was dance. In just three weeks, she gathered local dance companies and artists together at the Delamar West Hartford to present dance for the sake of lives. All proceeds from this event, totaling close to $4,000, were sent to the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund benefiting victims and families affected by the terrible attack.

Three years later, Ballet Theatre Company (BTC) has continued this performance experience – each season selecting a different charity to benefit in our home community. Last fall, BTC and nine local guest companies and performers danced to support research initiatives at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center. This year, the Bridge Family Center Inc, a West Hartford not-for-profit celebrating 50 years of service to our West Hartford and surrounding area communities, will be the spotlight of the evening.

Founded in 1969 as Educational Resources Inc., the Bridge has upheld its mission of fostering the courage and strength in children and families to meet life’s challenges and build fulfilling lives. Their services span far beyond the West Hartford town lines with four shelters, or Short-Term Assessment and Respite (STAR) homes – in West Hartford, Southington, Wolcott, and Harwinton – for boys and girls ages 11-18. Their family resource centers, youth and family services, counseling centers, and residential services are open to everyone. The Bridge is not only present in our community to help troubled children and adolescents, but all people who may need extra support in finding a clear path in their life.

Eleven local dance companies and individual artists will donate their time and talents to raise funds for the Bridge. The companies and artists include Ballet Theatre Company, Ballet Hartford, Bittner & Associates, The Hartford Dance Collective, dancEnlight, Dimensional Dance, The END Ensemble, Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet, Jane Krantz, Joseph Beltre with accompanying vocalist Sam Schrader, New England Ballet Collective, and Savana Jones with accompanying jazz guitarist Daniel Liparini.

BTC will be performing two pieces in the benefit performance; a pas de Deux from Artistic Director Stephanie Dattellas’ “Divide” featuring local professionals Joseph Beltre and Lea-Janell Mitchell, and a new work choreographed by BTC’s Ballet Mistress Megan Klamert, set to Vivaldi’s Violin Concerto in A Minor featuring Corps de Ballet dancers Sofia Brummitt, Julia Burkacki, and Isabella O’Connor.

O’Connor, a talented dancer and musician, will set aside her pointe shoes and pick up her violin to play Vivaldi’s violin concerto for the performance. Along with her rigorous dance training and rehearsal schedule at BTC, O’Connor has studied the violin for 11 years and has been selected to perform as concertmistress of the Northern Regional Middle School Festival and of Opus ‘89 orchestra at the Hartt School. She is a member of the Connecticut Youth Symphony and most recently, performed in the All-State Festival orchestra.

Following the performance, audience members are invited to enjoy sweet treats generously donated by Dee’s One Smart Cookie and Tastease Mini Donuts as well as an autumn inspired cocktail specially crafted by Hartford Flavor Company. Other generous donors include The Hartford Dance Collective, Bremar Rental, Big Y World Class Market, Laurel Graphic Design, and Cricket Press.

Tickets are for sale on BTC’s website www.dancebtc.org. Tickets are $20 if purchased online or $30 at the door. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with the performance beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Follow BTC on Facebook and Instagram @dancebtc for sneak peaks and special announcements. Ballet Theatre Company is supported in part by the Greater Hartford Arts Council, the State of Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Office of the Arts, Cricket Press, and Hearst Connecticut Media Group.

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