Jackson, Miss., November 10, 2009 – The USA International Ballet Competition (USA IBC) announced today the selection of the world-famous dance company Bad Boys of Dance to perform at the 2010 opening ceremonies, which will take place Saturday, June 12, at Thalia Mara Hall in Jackson, Mississippi.
Bad Boys of Dance, which was founded by former USA IBC gold medalist Rasta Thomas, will be featured in performance to officially open the ninth quadrennial competition, scheduled for June 12 – 27, 2010.
“We are absolutely thrilled to host a dance company with such vitality and freshness for the 2010 competition,” Lobrano said. “Bad Boys of Dance are young and athletic. They have an unparalleled ability to morph from one style to the other, which makes them very exciting to watch.”
Bad Boys of Dance debuted in 2007 to rave reviews and sold out crowds at the 75th Jacob’s Pillow Festival in Becket, Maryland. In 2008 the Bad Boys launched the show “Rasta Thomas’ Rock the Ballet,” and they continue to perform for sold-out audiences across the United States and Europe.
The talented and versatile group leaves its mark by bringing quality dancing to the masses through physical prowess, raw masculinity and technical perfection. Bad Boys of Dance is a stunning cast of hand-selected male dancers who combine ballet, Broadway, ballroom, hip hop, gymnastics, martial arts and more to deliver a highly imaginative and entertaining show.
The USA IBC also unveiled today the official commemorative poster of the 2010 competition. Brent Funderburk, an esteemed Mississippi State University faculty member, is the official artist for the upcoming competition, and as the recipient of this honor, Funderburk created the special piece of art that is the signature image of the event. Both the artist and the commemorative poster are sponsored by Viking Range Corporation.
“We are extremely pleased with the exquisite piece of art that Brent has created,” said Sue Lobrano, USA IBC executive director. “We fully expect the poster and commemorative merchandise of the 2010 competition to become collectors’ items.”
Funderburk said the piece, entitled “Firebird 2010,” was inspired by the art and design of Leon Bakst and by the Ballet Russes, productions that redefined ballet for the twentieth century, reinventing an entire art form that had grown stale in Europe. The watercolor is filled with vibrant hues, layers of color and the manifestation of light – recreating the mysterious energy of the legendary first performance in 1909 in Paris.
“I have a personal belief that art, especially dance, is a way of staging infinity,” Funderburk said. “Just as the choreographers and dancers of the Ballets Russes transformed many of the static conventions of classical Ballet while staying true to tradition, I wanted to create a piece that was innovative yet classical.”
During the 2010 USA IBC the original poster art and other select images created by Funderburk will be on exhibition and for sale at Thalia Mara Hall. Limited edition poster prints and other commemorative items will also be available for purchase at that time.
Other exciting news revealed today included the announcement that the USA IBC has received a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission through the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) American Masterpieces Initiative. NEA created this national initiative to acquaint Americans with the best of their cultural and artistic legacy.
“As a result of this initiative, performances, exhibitions, tours and educational programs across many different art forms have been held in large and small communities in all 50 states,” Lobrano said. “We are proud to be the recipient of such a prestigious honor.”
The USA IBC is a two-week, “olympic-style” competition where tomorrow’s stars vie for gold, silver and bronze medals; cash awards; company contracts; and scholarships. The event is designated as the official international ballet competition in the United States by a Joint Resolution of the Congress. Presented under the auspices of the International Dance Committee, International Theatre Institute of UNESCO, the USA IBC is held every four years in Jackson, Miss., in the tradition of sister competitions in Varna, Bulgaria, and Moscow, Russia.
For more information visit www.usaibc.com or join our Facebook communities. Search USA International Ballet Competition to find Fans of the USA International Ballet Competition, an open group for the general public, or USA International Ballet Competition Prospective Competitors, an open group for dancers wishing to compete in the 2010 USA IBC.
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Hey Brent!