Las Vegas, Nev. - The UNLV Performing Arts Center opens its 2009-2010 Season with the renowned Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company at 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 as part of the Charles Vanda Master Series. Since 1955, the group has toured the exquisite charm of Ukrainian dance to international audiences - embracing the beauty of its native Ukraine, the wisdom of its people, as well as the folk tradition of humor and optimism.
Ukrainian ballet masters Pavlo Virsky and Mykola Bolotov formed the company in 1937. From 1955 to 1975, Virsky headed the ensemble, and it was under his guidance that it matured into a highly professional dance company.
Myroslav Vantukh has been in charge of the ensemble since 1980. His main objective and continuing creative quest is the careful preservation and development of folk choreographic art. Featured characteristics include first-class performance and expressiveness of the dancers, a bright palette of costumes, a wealth of tunes, and completeness of the choreographic plot. The ensemble's repertoire includes The Carapathians, The Tambourine Dance, The Young Years, In Peace and Harmony, and The Russian Suite.
Tickets to the Virsky Ukrainian National Dance Company are $40, $55, and $85 and can be purchased at the Performing Arts Center Box Office at 895-ARTS (2787) or by visiting pac.unlv.edu. Student rush tickets are $13 each and available one hour prior to each event, based on availability and with valid student I.D. UNLV faculty and staff discounts also are available. A $1 facilities fee, in addition to the ticket price, is charged on all Performing Arts Center tickets. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Information about all of the season's performances can be found on the Performing Arts Center website, located at pac.unlv.edu.
Founded in 1976, the Performing Arts Center at UNLV continues to be Southern Nevada's premier performing arts venue. Located on the north end of the UNLV campus, the PAC hosts a variety of performances each year in three distinct series - the Charles Vanda Master Series, the New York Stage & Beyond Series, and the UNLV Classical guitar Series. UNLV and KLVX Channel 10 are graciously sponsoring the season.
