Momentum returns for its 16th season on October 18 and October 19 at the Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center. Momentum brings audiences an electrifying program that captures the full expressive range of ballet. This year’s performance features a bold mix of works, from the jazzy brilliance of Bob Fosse’s iconic Sing, Sing, Sing to Gerald Arpino’s poignant and powerful Ruth, and Erika Overturff’s lyrical and moving Appalachian Song all performed by American Midwest Ballet. With such a dynamic blend of styles, Momentum promises an evening that celebrates the artistry, versatility, and passion of dance.
The Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center serves as the home for the American Midwest Ballet, Chanticleer Community Theater, Kitchen Council, and Kanesville Symphony Orchestra. Located in the historic Haymarket District, this multi-use facility serves as a hub for creative activity, including educational offerings and classrooms, artist studios and exhibition galleries, culinary arts and teaching kitchens, and a theater. The center also has event spaces for live music, community gatherings, and more.
Sing, Sing, Sing
Sing, Sing, Sing is a dazzling Fosse style dance that channels the vibe of an underground nightclub, where swing rhythms drive the night forward and every step bursts with character. In this upcoming production, the power of the piece is elevated by a live onstage band, led by Omaha jazz trumpeter Doyle Tipler, bringing Fosse’s vision to life with sizzling sound and motion. Broadway star Dylis Croman, a protégé of Fosse muse Ann Reinking and a cast member in the 2023 revival of Dancin’, spent two weeks teaching the work and sharing the nuances of the choreography with the AMB dancers.
Go behind the scenes with filmmaker Lance Glenn in this new look at the making of AMB’s production of Bob Fosse’s iconic masterwork, featuring artist interviews and rehearsal scenes. Watch now by clicking the button below.
Ruth
This 2004 work for two dancers is the ballet created by Joffrey Ballet co-founder and resident choreographer Gerald Arpino. “‘Ricordi per due’ means ‘remembrance for two,’ Overturff said, describing the ballet as a stirring elegy in which a man recalls his departed love who returns as a ghostly memory. AMB’s production of Ruth marks the company’s second work in cooperation with the Gerald Arpino Foundation. The foundation designated former Joffrey Ballet dancer Willy Shives, for whom Arpino created the ballet along with partner Maia Wilkins, to come to AMB to stage it.
Go behind the scenes with filmmaker Lance Glenn in this new look at AMB’s production of this stirring elegy, the final creation of Joffrey Ballet co-founder Gerald Arpino, featuring artist interviews and rehearsal scenes. Watch now by clicking the button below.
Appalachian Song
Overturff’s 2017 ballet explores the heritage of the Appalachian region as told through the music of its people. “The storytelling in this music is so powerful, it comes through in both the lyrics and the instrumentation,” she said. “The ballet weaves together life’s struggles and celebrations through stories of love, humor, heartache, and perseverance.”
View behind the scenes of Erika Overturff's ballet with artist interviews and rehearsal footage by clicking the button below.
About American Midwest Ballet
American Midwest Ballet (AMB) is the region’s resident professional dance company, bringing work beyond words to audiences in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond. Performing at home and on tour, their mission is to inspire people through dance programs of the highest quality: breathtaking performances, enriching education, and uplifting community engagement.
Don’t Miss Momentum
Now, you have the chance to feel the exhilaration of these legendary pieces live. These acts will be performed as part of Momentum, step into the rhythm, the storytelling, and the unmistakable magic right here in Council Bluffs. Get your tickets now by clicking the button below and be part of this unforgettable celebration of dance and music!
