American Ballet of Los Angeles to appear at Bastille Day Festival

On Sunday, July 11, 2010 the American Ballet of Los Angeles (ABLA) will make its official L.A. debut at this year’s Bastille Day Los Angeles Festival. As homage to the French holiday and to France’s major significance in the formation of classical ballet, ABLA will be performing flirtatious and fun dance vignettes set to the musical styling of Brigitte Bardot.

Headed by Artistic Director Eddy Hawks and Associate Director Kat Hawks, ABLA was founded in Spring 2010 as a company aimed at infusing classical ballet with touches of sexy, fun, and excitement while melding contemporary, raw and avant-garde beauty to the structured art form. ABLA is a composed of twelve professional dancers whose mission is to create synergy and collaboration through dance. These dancers have worked with such internationally recognized companies as the Hamburg Ballet, Lines Contemporary Ballet and Moscow Classical Ballet.

ABLA’s first offering came in May 2010, as Eddy Hawks re-imagined “Alice in Wonderland” into a twist and turn full-length ballet performed in Thousand Oaks, California.

“We are quite excited to welcome ABLA’s dancers to the ninth edition of the Bastille Day Los Angeles Festival,” comments Faz Brahimi, Bastille Day Los Angeles Festival’s Entertainment Producer. “ABLA will be premiering “A French Love Story,” with music by Brigitte Bardot and choreography by Eddy Hawks, “Lady Muse,” with music by Edith Piaf and choreography by Josie Walsh, formerly of the Zurich Ballet, and who knows maybe a special rendition of “The Can Can!” Faz adds.

A Passions Productions event, the Bastille Day Los Angeles Festival promotes the French heritage and culture, and celebrates the undying ties between French and American citizens. In France, Bastille Day commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, marking the beginning of the French revolution. In Los Angeles, the event is one of the most attended community festivals and has been since its inception. The idea of great French food, music, art, dance, people, and the summer’s sun all together for one day to celebrate France’s Independence is a beautiful idea… and Angelenos agree, eight years and growing.

Besides the American Ballet of Los Angeles, live performers at Bastille Day Los Angeles Festival will include Destenee and her band ensemble "2Morrow" Destenee has opened for acts ranging from Stevie Wonder and Brian McKnight to The Chi-Lites and The Eagles. Also on stage throughout the day: Tahitian dancers Fetia Rangi, singer-tap dancer Ginger-Ann de Paris, R&B artist Tim James, alternative singer-songwriter Astrid Chevalier, Franco-American singer Xavier Nathan, young composer Yael and much more.

The 9th Annual Bastille Day Los Angeles Festival will be held Sunday, July 11, 2010 at the Elysian Park (Monticello Old Lodge – De Leo Politi), Los Angeles, California from Noon to 9 PM. The Event is FREE for kids. Adults: $5

To purchase tickets, please visit: www.bastilledaylosangeles.com