The Columbia City Ballet is celebrating 50 years of service to our community. Our founding director, Ann Brodie, had a passion and love for ballet and a vision to present first-rate ballets in Columbia, while providing the very finest training for young dance and ballet students. Ann assembled a support team of community leaders to help her put together the company’s first performances 50 years ago.
Twenty-five years later, William Starrett, the second Artistic Director in the company’s history, was handpicked by the CCB founder to be her successor. His vision was to provide the highest caliber professional dance company to the region. It was not only to be a major component for statewide economic development, but also to provide a professional outlet to retain and attract extraordinary artistic talent in all aspects of the Columbia City Ballet.
The Columbia City Ballet will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary during the weekend of May 5th-8th.
The festivities will begin with an art exhibit at the Tapp’s building on Main Street on Thursday, May 5 with an art display by national and local artists in celebration of the human form and dance.
A free awards banquet filled with visiting alumni, volunteers, dancers and patrons will be hosted by the Capital City Club on Friday evening, May 6.
Saturday May 7 will begin with an open class at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Conservatory of Dance, the company’s home on Main Street. At 12:30 p.m., the CCBII – the junior company of dancers – will present a studio performance followed by refreshments and fellowship.
The Anniversary Gala will begin at the legendary Township Auditorium starting at 5:30 p.m. with music, a silent auction and dinner catered by Houston’s. A film retrospective and tribute will follow, with the theater filled with past production memorabilia, costumes and stage props.
The Gala Performance also will feature a brief awards ceremony, celebrating the tremendous artistic accomplishments of the last 50 years with highlights from the company’s extraordinary repertoire performed by a star-studded cast. Following the performance will be more dancing and dessert with live music.
The Gala weekend will come to a close on Sunday, May 7 with a brunch uniting alumni, visiting dancers, volunteers, patrons and board members.
