The Jackson International Ballet Competition (IBC) Starts Tonight!

The opening ceremonies for the quadriennial, olympic-style, USA International Ballet Competition starts tonight at 7:30 p.m., featuring Rasta Thomas and his "Bad Boys of Dance!" Should be a great show. If you live in or around Jackson, MS or can get there quick, I'd make some plans and get tickets to see some of this incredible, world-renowed event. Over the next 16 days, along with the competition, there will be quite a line-up:

6/16 - Philadanco Master Class and Lecture Demonstration 1-2:15 p.m., and 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Philadanco (The Pennsylvania Dance Company) is a professional, non-profit dance company that specializes in modern contemporary dance and outreach programs to help develop young dancers into professional dancers. It is based in Philadelphia and is "celebrated for its innovation, creativity and preservation of predominantly African-American traditions in dance." (philadanco.org)

6/16 - Philadanco Performance 7:30 p.m. (tickets only $10!)

6/18 - Lois Greenfield Photography Workshop 10-4:30 p.m. Lois is a world-renowned dance photographer. You've probably seen her work many times and didn't even know it was her's! http://www.loisgreenfield.com/galleries/index.html

6/19 - Edward Stierle Contemporary Showcase 2:00 p.m. This showcase will feature contemporary pieces performed by dancers eliminated from Round 1, as well as special guest artist Brooklyn Mack. Brooklyn is currently a professional dancer with the Washington Ballet. He was a Silver Medalist at the Silver Medal at the 2006 Jackson International Ballet Competition, and has danced professionally with the Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and American Ballet Theater.

6/21 - Tutu.com Workshop - Tiaras 5-10 p.m.   Tutu.com offers "hands-on seminars and workshops will help you learn the techniques, tips, and tricks of ballet costume design and construction from a master costume designer. We teach the fine art of classical, romantic, and neo-romantic tutu design, construction, and embellishment, carefully blending the techniques of yesterday's masters with today's materials and technologies. But, we don't just teach tutu classes - our seminars cover a very wide range of topics, including bodices, tiaras, headpieces, several types of dresses, pattern grading, decorating, accessorizing, and many many other subjects"

6/22 - Tutu.com Workshop - Bodices 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (see above description)

6/23 - Tutu.com Workshop - Tutus 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (see above description)

6/25 - Project Tutu.com Runway Fashion Show 3:30 p.m.

6/26 - Awards Gala 7 p.m.

6/26 - Grand Prix Ball 9 p.m.


6/27 - Encore Gala 7:30 p.m.

For a full schedule listing, click here.