CLEVELAND, OH – Verb Ballets returns to Cain Park Evans Amphitheatre on August 19, 2017 for a free community performance in honor of the company’s 30th anniversary season. The performance is sponsored by Cleveland Heights residents James Graham and David Dusek.

Verb Ballets will perform the new work by Philadelphia choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans, Surge.Capacity.Force. His new work draws upon the human experience to connect audiences through a fierce physical language while communicating relevant statements about social justice issues. Evans danced with PHILADANCO! and Complexions Contemporary Ballet before starting his own company Waheed Works in 2006. The Dance Journal described his work as, “vocabulary is deeply rooted in a classical ballet aesthetic blended with modern sensibilities and jazz influences.”

Returning to the stage is the Heinz Poll favorite, Eight By Benny Goodman. This fun loving piece combines ballet and ballroom to the exuberant big-band sounds of the master musician, Benny Goodman. Verb Ballets’ dancers will also perform Poll’s, Schubert Waltzes. The classical piece was noted as “catapults ordinary waltz steps into a delightful combination of classicism and wit”. The couples embrace characters through their dancing to bring inventiveness to the music.

Verb Ballets’ performance will start at 8:00pm. The performance is free and no tickets are required. Gates will open at 7:00pm. Seating is general admission. Cain Park is located at 14591 Superior Rd, Cleveland, OH 44118. Entrances are located at Superior, Lee and Taylor Rd.

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CLEVELAND, OH – Verb Ballets returns to Arts in August at Tremont’s Lincoln Park on August 12, 2017. This free community performance will showcase Verb Ballets as the company celebrates both its 30th anniversary season and marking its 12th year at Tremont.

The program will feature the Cleveland debut of Surge.Capacity.Force. by choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans. His new work draws upon the human experience to connect audiences through a fierce physical language while communicating relevant statements about social justice. Evans danced with PHILADANCO! and Complexions Contemporary Ballet before starting his own company Waheed Works in 2006. The Dance Journal described his work as, “vocabulary is deeply rooted in a classical ballet aesthetic blended with modern sensibilities and jazz influences.”

Returning to the stage is Anthony Kruztkamp’s, Appropriated Memories. This contemporary ballet is a highly kinetic work then seamlessly weaves one movement into the next. The work explores tender moments from past relationships as passing memories that fade in and out. Verb Ballets’ dancers will also perform a series of duets on the program that feature their technical abilities and personalities including the return of the thrilling Tarantella staged by former Cleveland Ballet dancer, Pamela Pribisco.

Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. Onstage stage interactive activities start at 7:45pm. Verb Ballets’ performance will start at 8:30pm. Arts in August performances are free and open to the public. Lincoln Park, located at W. 14th and Starkweather in the heart of Tremont, is the perfect venue for this signature outdoor performance series.

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AKRON, OH – Verb Ballets returns to The Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival at Akron’s Firestone Park on July 28 & 29, 2017. These free community performances will showcase Verb Ballets as the company celebrates the 30th anniversary season by featuring a diverse dynamic program including a world premiere. Verb Ballets is proud to present a season that highlights the artistry of contemporary choreographers paired with balletic works that have moved audiences for decades.

Verb Ballets will premiere a new work by Philadelphia chorographer Tommie-Waheed Evans at the Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival. In 2013 Evan’s created Dark Matter on Verb Ballets that audiences and critics alike enjoyed. Evans danced with PHILADANCO! and Complexions Contemporary Ballet before starting his own company Waheed Works in 2006. The Dance Journal described his work as, “vocabulary is deeply rooted in a classical ballet aesthetic blended with modern sensibilities and jazz influences.” Evans strives to create work built upon the human experience to connect audiences through a fierce physical language while communicating statements about social justice.

Returning to the stage is the Heinz Poll favorite, Eight By Benny Goodman. This fun loving piece combines ballet and ballroom to the exuberant big-band sounds of the master, Benny Goodman. Verb Ballets’ dancers will debut the amazing technique of the Cuban Ballet style as the company performs Don Quixote Grand Pas de Deux staged by renowned Cuban ballerina, Laura Alonso.

Guests are invited to bring blankets and/or a chair. Onstage children’s activities lead by the Dance Institute start at 7:45pm. Verb Ballets performance begins at 8:45pm. Firestone Park is located at 1480 Girard St, Akron, Ohio 44301. Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival performances are free and open to the public.

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CLEVELAND, OH – It is with great excitement that Verb Ballets hosts guest choreographer Tommie-Waheed Evans in-studio from June 26-30, 2017. Evans danced with PHILADANCO! and Complexions Contemporary Ballet before starting his own company Waheed Works in 2006. Evans recently finished a Choreographic Fellowship for Ballet X and was selected nationally as an emerging leader by Dance/USA.

The Dance Journal described his work as, “vocabulary is deeply rooted in a classical ballet aesthetic blended with modern sensibilities and jazz influences.” Evans strives to create work built upon the human experience to connect audiences through a fierce physical language while communicating statements about social justice. Verb Ballets will debut Evans’ new work for its upcoming summer season at performances including Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival on July 28-29, Tremont’s Arts in August on August 12 and Cain Park on August 19.

In 2013 Evans’ created Dark Matter on Verb Ballets that audiences and critics alike enjoyed. This intensely driven physical work was set to a score comprised of a mix of Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor with sounds of shattering glass and African drum rhythms. The dance was complemented by the stage design with hanging fluorescent light bulbs that were rhythmically controlled providing a breathtaking visual effect. This audience favorite will return to the stage throughout the 2017-18 season.

Tommie-Waheed Evans, Choreographer

Tommie-Waheed Evans began his formal training with Michelle Blossom at the Dance Connection in Los Angeles California. He continued his studies under the mentorship of Andrea Calomee and Karen McDonald at Hamilton High School before receiving a fellowship at the Ailey School. As a student, Evans performed the work of Matthew Rushing, Benoit-Swan Pouffer, Karol Armitage, and Debbie Allen. He was an assistant to current artistic director of Ailey II, Troy Powell. Evans professional appearances include the popular sitcom “The Parkers”, the Emmy Awards, HopeBoykinDance, Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Lula Washington Dance Theater, the Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. In 2006 he founded his company, Waheed-Works. Evans has set choreography on The Garden State Dance Festival, Philadelphia Dance Boom Festival, Grace Dance Theater, Verb Ballets, Eleone Dance Theatre, and Boston Conservatory. Evans is the Artist-in-Residence at PHILADANCO! and is currently on faculty at the University of the Arts. His awards include a Dance/USA Philadelphia Rocky Award, Billy Penn: Who Next Arts, Howard Gillman Foundation Fellowship

Winner, and a BalletX 2017 Ballet Choreographic Fellowship. Evans recently received his Master of Fine Arts in Choreography from Jacksonville University.

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