Pop Culture in Studio K: Ballet for the Rest of Us. Plus, a giveaway.

UPDATE: We have a winner!

The holder of the 12th entry was...

Congrats, Ashley! E-mail me ASAP to claim your prize. 

Thanks to all for playing. I really enjoyed trying to imagine ballet dancing to the tune of the songs you suggested. And I may or may not have tried a few myself. Even though I have no business ballet dancing, especially not alone in the dark to My Endless Love. Wait - that's ice skating and Adam Sandler isn't it? My bad. 

Thanks again!

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Something visitors and long-time Tulsans alike sometimes don't realize about Tulsa is that the city is home to a world-class ballet company, Tulsa Ballet.

This weekend our very own Tulsa Ballet will premier its newest production, Pop Culture in Studio K. Forget about your typical ballet set to classical music - this ballet is a mix of contemporary dance with popular music, and it all takes place in the heart of Tulsa’s Brookside district.

I mean, even if you're a card-carrying ballet lover, how often do you get to see three brand-new ballets set to the music of Rufus Wainwright, contemporary world rhythms and The Beatles?

Not often, I'd say. Check out this rehearsal footage:



Slick, baby. Slick.

Here's the rundown on what you'll see in Pop Culture:

-Choreographer Young Soon Hue uses the music of the Beatles to offer a humorous and moving journey through life’s ups and downs;
-Edwaard Liang uses the music of Rufus Wainwright to explore human relationships, love and emotions;
-Tulsa Ballet Resident Choreographer, Ma Cong, incorporates an eclectic mix of world music to accompany his unique, contemporary style that has made him an audience favorite in Tulsa and across the country.

Speaking of Tulsa Ballet’s Studio K, it truly is one of Tulsa’s most special performance venues. With only 295 seats and a full-sized stage, Studio K provides the opportunity for Tulsans to witness the power and athleticism of professional dancers up close. A state-of-the-art sound system and comfy stadium seating add to the entire, intimate experience.

Here's something else cool about Studio K: It helps put Tulsa on the map as an international leader in the world of professional dance. Tulsa Ballet enlists the talents of both rising and established choreographers to create three new works that will see their world premiers right here in T-Town. They're then acquired by other ballet companies all over the globe, putting Tulsa in a power position to shape the future of ballet as an art form.

That's big-time stuff, y'all.

“Our Studio K series is quickly becoming the buzz of the town," said Tulsa Ballet Artistic Director (and certified hottie [who married another certified hottie/my most favorite ballerina ever and raised two handsome twin boys]), Marcello Angelini.

Ahem. Pardon my emoting. I get carried away where an Angelini is involved.

"These performances complete my vision for Tulsa Ballet as a company that will dazzle our audience with the great classics of the 19th century, a company that will engage our community with the works of the masters of the 20th century while creating edgy, contemporary works to project dance into the 21st century," Angelini said. "We are not, and will never be, a single layer organization. Our way to perceive dance and to present this wonderful art is as tridimensional as life itself.”

Pop Culture in Studio K will be performed April 16th-17th and April 21st-24th at 7pm; and April 17th-18th and 24th-25th at 2pm. Arrive early because when world-class ballet is happening, there's no late seating.

Adult tickets are $35, and discounts are available for seniors, students and groups of 15 or more. Tickets can be purchased online, by calling (918) 749-6006 or visiting the Studio K Box Office at 1212 East 45th Place.

Or, you can win a pair of tickets right here on TDT.

I have two tickets to give away to the Pop Culture in Studio K performance of the winner's choice. To be eligible to win them, head to the comments section on this post and answer this question:


If you could set a ballet to any song, any song at all, what would it be?


I'm thinking "I'm Believe in a Thing Called Love" by The Darkness. Or, "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Or, anything by Lady Gaga. But, that's me. What song would you like a choreographer to pair with some ballet dancing?

Enter by Wednesday evening at 8 p.m. to be eligible to win. Please enter only if you yourself will be able to attend a performance of Pop Culture in Studio K - tickets are not transferable. I'll announce the winner of the tickets shortly after the end of the contest.

Now I'm gonna sit back and watch hilarity ensue. Over and out.