FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 30, 2007

CONTACT:  Pat Verner Community Relations Director

LATIN BALLET OF VIRGINIA TO BRING ‘BE PROUD OF YOURSELF’ ARTS-IN-EDUCATION RESIDENCY TO THREE LOCAL SCHOOLS, HISPANIC LEARNING CENTER FEBRUARY 5-9

Students at three local elementary schools and the Hispanic Learning Center will learn Latin American dances and culture next week (February 5-9) through an-arts-in-education residency sponsored by the Cabarrus Arts Council.

The program, titled “Be Proud of Yourself,” uses the arts to foster understanding between Hispanic and non-Hispanic students and also to build self-confidence in all the children who participate.  Through the residency, five dancers from the Latin Ballet of Virginia will bring an in-depth look at Latin culture to students at Wolf Meadow, Fred L. Wilson and Forest Park elementary schools. At each school, they will work with the same small group of 25-30 students each day, teaching them dance and Spanish history, and culture.  They also will conduct a teacher workshop and present a performance for the entire student body or several grades.

At the Hispanic Learning Center, the ballet will work with a group of 25-30 students each afternoon and present an evening performance for all the center’s students and their families.

The residencies are partially funded by a $7,000 grant from the North Carolina Arts Council. The Latin Ballet of Virginia is a professional company headquartered in Richmond.  Its mission is to preserve and promote Latin and Spanish cultures by performing and teaching for diverse audiences in North and South America.  In November 2005, the Cabarrus Arts Council brought the Latin Ballet to our community for residencies at five local schools and a public performance.

The arts council also is sponsoring a second arts-in-education residency during the spring semester.  The John Bloom Old Time Music Residency, a one day program focusing on North Carolina history and culture through traditional music, will take place at Rocky River (Feb. 2), Jackson Park (March 16), Woodrow Wilson (March 23) and Beverly Hills (March 30) elementary schools.

For more information about this and other Cabarrus Arts Council programs, please call 704-920-ARTS (2787) or visit www.cabarrusartscouncil.org.  For information about the Latin Ballet of Virginia, visit www.latinballet.com. ###