Boston Calling has announced that Boston Ballet will make their festival debut as part of the diverse entertainment lineup taking the festivals’ stages for Boston Calling Music Festival’s 10th edition. This partnership marks the first time that dance will be featured in the festival’s entertainment lineup. The annual three-day festival will take place at the Harvard Athletic Complex this Memorial Day Weekend, May 24 – 26, 2019.
“Boston Calling and Boston Ballet share the mission of presenting emerging art to new audiences, and that is why I am thrilled to share the artistry and talent of Boston Ballet with Boston Calling audiences for the first time,” said Boston Ballet Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen.
This unique partnership will provide dance enthusiasts the opportunity to see one-of-a-kind performances by the world-renowned dance company in a festival setting. Boston Calling is committed to providing fans with exceptional experiences year after year, from an eclectic mix of top-notch musical performances, celebrated comedy acts and original dance performances, to mouth-watering food and drink lineups.
“Boston Ballet’s integration into Boston Calling Music Festival marks the first time dance performances have been incorporated into the festival’s offerings and represents the convergence of two major Boston entertainment brands,” said Brian Appel, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Boston Calling Events, LLC (BCE). “The Ballet is an integral part of the arts scene in Boston and a source of pride for Bostonians. We’re excited to have them on board to bring their acclaimed performances to the tenth edition of the festival.”
On Saturday, May 25, the dance company will perform at the Arena stage with a performance of an excerpt from legendary choreographer William Forsythe’s “Playlist (EP)” set to R&B star Khalid’s “Location.” Boston Ballet premiered “Playlist (EP)” as part of the Full on Forsythe program in March, starring powerhouse dancers and set to a soundtrack with hits from pop, dance, and R&B charts. Additionally, attendees will experience an original work for two Boston Ballet dancers set to Wilsen’s “Final” by Yury Yanowsky, choreographer, former principal dancer of Boston Ballet and faculty member at Harvard University.
On Sunday, May 26 the Boston Ballet will return to the Arena stage to perform Yanowsky’s “Final” and a new work choreographed by Boston Ballet artist Sage Humphries, set to an original score by Michael Humphries, the artist behind FutureSelf and Sage’s brother.
In addition to the aforementioned performances on the Arena stage, fans will be able to enjoy Boston Ballet performances on the festival’s Green stage on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, with schedule and timing to be announced in May.
Since 1963, Boston Ballet’s internationally acclaimed performances of classical, neo-classical and contemporary ballets, combined with a dedication to world-class dance education and community initiatives, have made the institution a leader in its field, with a 55-year history of promoting excellence and access to dance. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen and Executive Director Meredith (Max) Hodges, the Company maintains a diverse repertoire, ranging from full-length ballets to new works by some of today’s finest choreographers.
Boston Calling’s 10th edition will feature headliners Twenty One Pilots (Friday), Tame Impala (Saturday) and Travis Scott (Sunday). A limited number of Single Day and Three-Day General Admission, VIP Passes, and Platinum Passes are on sale now at www.bostoncalling.com
Boston Calling is produced by Boston Calling Events LLC (BCE), which is owned by Crash Line Productions and The Madison Square Garden Company. Boston Calling is proud to have Delta Air Lines, Samuel Adams, Miller Lite, JBL, Barefoot Wine, 47 Brand and Vans as sponsors for this year’s festival.