The Princess and The Wind

Start: Sunday, April 13, 2025 4:00PM
End: Sunday, April 13, 2025 5:00PM

Experience the Enchantment of The Princess and The Wind - A Ballet in Three Acts for Symphonic Band and Dancers
Salem, Oregon - The Salem Symphonic Winds is thrilled to announce the collaboration with Rainbow Dance Theatre on the premiere of The Princess and The Wind, a mesmerizing ballet in three acts composed by the renowned Leroy Osmon. This enchanting performance will take place on April 13 in Rose Auditorium at South Salem High School, promising an unforgettable afternoon of music, dance, and storytelling.
About the Ballet: The Princess and The Wind is a captivating tale set in the lush jungles and ancient ruins of the Mayan civilization. It tells the story of a young woman who finds love and acceptance despite her perceived unattractiveness through her pure heart and kind actions. The ballet explores themes of inner beauty, love, and transformation, culminating in a magical and heartwarming conclusion.
Salem Symphonic Winds: The music is complex and mystical. It includes a massive percussion section that provides a fascinating variety of sounds and rhythms. Sometimes dark and reflective, sometimes lyrical, sometimes impulsive and joyful, the musical offers a diverse palate for the choreographers, dancers, and audience.
Rainbow Dance Theatre is comprised of eight virtuoso dancers who transform the stage into a world of mystery, pathos, and humor. The choreography by Artistic Directors Valerie Bergman and Darryl Thomas promises stunning visuals and athletically lyrical dancing in an interpretation of the ballet accessible to all audiences. Weaving together Modern, Ballet, Afro-Haitian, and African dance movement with edgy LED costuming and aerial choreography, they will translate the music inspired by Mayan folk lore into a truly universal artistic statement.
Composer Leroy Osmon: Leroy Osmon first conceived the idea for this ballet in 1998 after reading a folk-tale from the Yucatan. Although the project faced several setbacks, it was revived 20 years later when conductor John Skelton invited Osmon to create a ballet for the Salem Symphonic Winds as part of their 50th Anniversary Season. Osmon's previous work, The Garden of Earthly Delights, received critical acclaim at the WASBE conference in 2015, and was performed by Salem Symphonic Winds with Rainbow Dance Theatre in 2018. Our most recent collaboration was The Tango Suite from Astor Piazzolla's opera Maria de Buenos Aires. We are excited to present Osmon's latest masterpiece to our audience.
Join us for an afternoon of breathtaking music and dance as we bring The Princess and The Wind to life. The premiere promises to be a highlight of the cultural season, offering a unique blend of symphonic band music and world-renowned dance that will captivate audiences of all ages.
Salem Symphonic Winds - The Princess and the Wind: A World Première of a Magical Ballet by Salem Symphonic Winds and Rainbow Dance Theatre, is supported by grants from the James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, the Oregon Community Foundation, and the Transient Occupancy Tax from the City of Salem.

Prices:
Adult General Admission: USD 20.00,
Senior Citizen General Admission: USD 15.00,
College Student General Admission: USD 10.00,
Youth General Admission: USD 5.00

Artists: Rainbow Dance Theatre - Valerie Bergman and Darryl Thomas - Directors, Salem Symphonic Winds, John Skelton - Director