RICHARD CALMES/SPECIAL TO THE NEWS SENTINEL

Anne Souder performs a number from the upcoming “Bluejeans & Ballet” concert by the Appalachian Ballet.

The Appalachian Ballet dances a musical travelogue with this year's "Bluejeans & Ballet" performance and fundraiser.

The outdoor show at McArthur Pavilion on the Maryville College campus is 6 p.m. Sept. 24. "Bluejeans & Ballet" includes an outdoor dinner. Tickets are $50 a person. Reservations are necessary no later than early this week by calling 865-982-8463.

The show with a theme of "Destinations" gets a swing-big band feel, said Appalachian Ballet Artistic Director Amy Moore Morton. The Knoxville-based jazz band The Streamliners will play the 11 songs that include "New York, New York," and " April in Paris." Morton is choreographing 11 original dances for the show's 17 barefoot dancers who will be clad in blue jeans and tuxedo shirts.

This is the sixth year for "Bluejeans & Ballet" and the third year it is set outdoors. The event moved outside when Maryville College's fine arts building was razed to make way for the Clayton Center for the Arts under construction. Performing outdoors means "praying for beautiful weather," Morton says. And dancers barefoot in the grass instead of wearing ballet or pointe shoes on stage requires different choreography. "It really challenges me. You can't do turns in the grass. … When you take that away, you have thrown a little kink in things. ... So we do a lot of rolls in the grass, a lot of jumps and turns by jumping in the air."

While the company does "make some money" off the tickets, Morton said "Bluejeans & Ballet" is a way to raise financial support in another way. "This is something special we do for patrons, and we hope they will be willing to write a check to keep the ballet literally on our toes and dancing. This is a way to let our audience members see we are a valuable part of the community and donate to us to keep us going."

Amy McRary may be reached at 865-3426437.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel
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