LITTLE ROCK (August 6, 2021) – Ballet Arkansas and Little Rock Parks & Recreation are pleased to present Movement in the Parks, a multifaceted partnership that brings live dance performances to the public and arts education programs to k-12 students free, in various green spaces throughout the City of Little Rock. “The City of Little Rock Parks and Recreation Department is very excited to partner with Ballet Arkansas, not only because they’ve been such a stalwart figure in the arts community but because our organizations share in the common goal of creating opportunities for our community to come together for shared experiences,” said Maxime Pierre, the City of Little Rock’s Deputy Director of Parks and Recreation.

"Movement in the Parks ensures all within our community have access to world class dance performances in stunning outdoor settings, free of charge. Bringing diverse populations together to celebrate the arts and Little Rock’s abundant natural resources is a pillar of our partnership, but we also hope to create opportunities for residents to explore Ballet Arkansas’s eclectic programming in settings that enhance their appreciation of the capital city,” said Michael Fothergill, Ballet Arkansas’s Executive and Artistic Director.

Live performances will be held across the city at MacArthur Park, War Memorial Park, the First Security Amphitheatre at Riverfront Park, and at Southwest Community Center on the dates of September 25th, October 16th, March 12th, and April 2nd. Performances will feature classical masterpieces, cutting edge contemporary works, and previews of Ballet Arkansas’s annual productions. Attendees may bring their own lawn chairs and are encouraged to patronize area restaurants and attractions before and after the performances. Riverfront Park is located adjacent to the River Market Entertainment District, so downtown restaurant patrons may carry libations from these establishments to the performance gates.

In addition to live performances, Ballet Arkansas will present a series of lecture demonstrations for k-12 students at various indoor and outdoor settings throughout the year. In response to the complexities posed by the pandemic, Ballet Arkansas paused its classroom visits and on-site lecture demonstrations during the 2020/21 school year. “These programs touch the lives of more than 5,000 k-12 students each year and although we were sad to postpone them, the safety of our performers and patrons is our first priority,” says Fothergill. These programs will return in limited quantities this year, alongside programs for k-12 audiences at various community centers and green spaces adjacent to schools throughout the city. “Movement in the Parks programming for young audiences is designed to accommodate the schedules of educators and the need to keep students safe while interacting with the performing arts. Most importantly, it fosters a love for the arts while immersing students in natural environments. In a most unusual time, we owe it to the students to find ways to meet the programming challenges of the pandemic,” said Fothergill.

“We could not be more grateful for the support of the City of Little Rock, the Parks and Recreation Department and everyone who has worked hand in hand with Ballet Arkansas to give this gift of free performances to our community,” said Associate Artistic Director, Catherine Fothergill.

Movement in the Parks Public Performance Schedule

September 25, 2021 - MacArthur Park | 12:00 & 3:00 pm

October 16, 2021 - Southwest Community Center | 12:00 & 3:00 pm

March 12, 2022 - Riverfront Park | 2:00 & 6:00 pm

April 2, 2022 - War Memorial Park | 2:00 & 6:00 pm

Movement in the Parks k-12 Lecture Demonstration Schedule

Dates and locations TBA

Dates and times are subject to change. Learn more about performance information and Movement in the Parks at www.balletarkansas.org. The Arkansas Department of Health will be consulted to ensure safe practices for performers and patrons.

About Little Rock Parks & Recreation

Little Rock is nestled among a profusion of open green spaces and natural areas set aside for recreational, educational, ecological and aesthetic benefits for residents to enjoy at their leisure. Little Rock's parks system is not only a source of pride for the city, but it has received national recognition for excellence. Little Rock Parks & Recreation became the 30th agency in the United States to receive accreditation through the National Recreation and Parks Association. To learn more about Little Rock Parks & Recreation, visit Parks | City of Little Rock.

About Ballet Arkansas

Consisting of 14 professional dancers, Ballet Arkansas is the foremost professional ballet company of the State of Arkansas and is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Over the last 43 years, Ballet Arkansas’ world class education programs and performances have touched the lives of nearly 400,000 Arkansans. Today, Ballet Arkansas presents the most celebrated works in American dance, including a vibrant and diverse repertory of classical, neoclassical, and contemporary works by world renowned choreographers. Ballet Arkansas’s mission is to provide world class diverse innovative dance programming and education programs to Arkansas and beyond. For more information, visit www.balletarkansas.org.