GALVESTON — Galveston Ballet will present a free children’s matinee at The Grand 1894 Opera House, 2020 Postoffice St., in Galveston, on Thursday at 1 p.m.
The 30-minute performance of the ballet “Peter and the Wolf,” with an ensemble orchestra, will be presented to about 900 of Galveston’s third-, fourth- and fifth-grade students.
Public school surveys revealed for most of these children, this performance will be their first time to see a live ballet, a live orchestra and a visit to The Grand.
Julia Furlong, president of Galveston Ballet’s board of directors, said the children’s matinee is an exciting and energizing event.
“I invite you to come and experience the scream of delight as the lights go down,” Furlong said. “Our dancers have spent many months rehearsing in preparation for this special performance.”
This free children’s matinee for students is sponsored by Target, The Kempner Fund and The Yaga’s Children’s Fund.
No tickets are necessary for the children’s performance. A section has been reserved for the over-3-foot-tall audience members.
At the conclusion, students are invited to write an essay on why they would like to participate in a ballet company.
Ten essays are chosen, and the writers are awarded a one-year scholarship to study with the Galveston Ballet.
There also is a public performance on Friday at 7p.m.
Friday’s performance will include “Peter and the Wolf,” “Little Red Riding Hood,” “Trampling on Versailles” and “Thunder.”
“Trampling on Versailles” is an original ballet by Anna Ward and includes scooters and cell phones as props.
Galveston Ballet will perform “Trampling on Versailles” and “Thunder” in Norway in June as 12 dancers represent the youth of Galveston in our sister cities’ cultural exchange with Stavanger, Norway.
Tickets for Friday’s performance are $12 for adults and $9 for children.
