Ballet in Cleveland Presents Weekend of Programming with Zippora Karz

Meet and dance with a former ballerina and author! Join Ballet in Cleveland on June 8th and 9th in a series of events featuring former New York City Ballet soloist and author of The Sugarless Plum, Zippora Karz.

On Saturday, June 8th at 2pm at the Louis Stokes Auditorium of the Main Branch of Cleveland Public Library (325 Superior Ave., N.E. Cleveland, OH 44114), Jessica Wallis, director of Ballet in Cleveland will introduce Zippora Karz as she speaks about her book, The Sugarless Plum, about her triumph over the complications of having type 1 diabetes while being a professional dancer.

Wallis will also moderate a panel of professionals including author Don W. Ray, local author of Still in the Game, and diabetes health advocate, Shannon Sterne, a nutritionist and staff member of Dancing Wheels, along with local health professionals from Metro Health. Ms. Karz will sign books that will be for purchase for $15.00 after the presentation and panel discussion.

Later that day, join us at District, (1350 Euclid Avenue Cleveland, OH 44115), for an evening of cocktails and a three-course meal. Cocktail half-hour will begin at 7:30pm with sparkling wine and passed appetizers with three- course dinner beginning at 8:00pm. We will enjoy a diabetic friendly menu in honor of Ms. Karz along with the featured cocktail of the evening, The Sugar Plum. This event is open to the public at $100 per plate.

The following day, Sunday, June 9th, Ballet in Cleveland will hold two exclusive master classes taught by Ms. Karz at the Gund Dance Studio at Playhouse Square. Not only will you get to participate in a master ballet class, but Zippora will host a Q&A session with an extensive panel of other ballet experts after each class including: Shannon Sterne, nutritionist and staff member of Dancing Wheels, Leigh Griffiths-Bennett, formerly of the Stuttgart Ballet, Alyssa Lee Wilmot, owner of the Movement Factory, Michael Uthoff, director of Dance St. Louis, and Samantha Basford-Damoulakis, formerly of the Miami City Ballet.

10:00am – 11:30am: 8 – 12 age group class
11:45am – 12:15pm: 8 – 12 age group Q&A

2:00pm – 3:30pm: 13+ age group class
3:45pm – 4:15pm: 13+ age group Q&A

Limited space is available so be sure to register quickly via http://balletincleveland.org/registration.html or by calling 330-285-5779.

Along with the class and Q&A sessions, the $35 registration fee includes a photograph of Karz and the participant with his or her class, a Ballet in Cleveland dance bag, bottled water for participants to enjoy before and after class, along with other ballet-themed surprises provided by our sponsors. Karz's book will also be available for purchase for $15.00 with an opportunity for it to be autographed after each Q&A panel.

Forest City and Skylight Financial Group proudly sponsor this weekend of programming.

If you are unable to attend any of our unique events, don't let that stop you from supporting a great cause and helping provide scholarships for young dancers who may not have the opportunity. Just $40.00 provides a full scholarship! Donate now!

About Ballet in Cleveland
Ballet in Cleveland's mission is to revitalize the presence of classical ballet in Cleveland, Ohio by presenting performances by the highest quality professional ballet companies as well as promoting the art through ballet-centered programming and events that not only foster interest but also educate and entertain the community. Ballet in Cleveland will highlight the importance, relevance, and entertaining artistry of professional classical ballet in the region.

About Zippora Karz
Zippora Karz is a former soloist ballerina with the New York City Ballet where she performed for 16 years on stage and in televised performances. She was featured in a variety of roles choreographed by George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins (The Sugar Plum Fairy in the Nutcracker being one of her favorites) as well as works choreographed for her by such choreographers as Peter Martins and Lynne Taylor Corbett.

Miss Karz danced with the New York City Ballet from 1983 through 1999. She now serves as a teacher and repetiteur for the George Balanchine Trust, rehearsing and staging Balanchine's choreography for a host of national and international dance companies. She is also a diabetes spokesperson and educator who regularly addresses major diabetes conferences and organizations worldwide.

In addition to her memoir, The Sugarless Plum, published in 2009. Zippora wrote a regular column for the Huffington Post. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

Contact

To learn more about this event, please contact

Jessica Wallis, Founding Director
1621 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
t: 330.285.5779
Jessica@balletincleveland.org