As artistic director Damian Woetzel was putting the finishing touches on the 2010 edition of the Vail International Dance Festival, he was pleased enough with the overall lineup.
But he wanted to give it something extra — an attention-grabber to push it over the top. And he had just the person in mind — Alexei Ratmansky, one of the world’s most sought-after ballet choreographers.
Ratmansky, former artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet, recently agreed to travel to Vail to create a new solo for Wendy Whelan. The New York City Ballet principal will appear as part of the festival’s dance-star showcases Aug. 6 and 7.
“It’s very exciting,” Woetzel said. “He’s worked with Wendy before, and she is one of his favorite, favorite dancers, and so he’s going to do a special piece for her, to premiere for us.”
Ratmansky’s appearance will be one of an array of highlights of this summer’s festival, which will run from July 27 through Aug. 12, with all performances taking place in the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater.
The season combines past favorites, such as the Pacific Northwest Ballet and tap master Savion Glover, with hot newcomers like Beijing Dance/LDTX, a fast-rising contemporary company from China.
It was founded in 2005 and has quickly become one of that country’s best-known dance ensembles, touring regularly in Asia, Europe and North America and serving as host of the annual Beijing Dance Festival.
Beijing Dance will present the world premiere of a work by Sang Jijia, a protege of famed choreographer William Forsythe and the first Tibetan to train and perform professionally in modern dance.
Rounding out the the festival’s trio of world premieres will be a new work for four dancers by another emerging choreographer, Larry Keigwin — the festival’s first-ever artist-in-residence.
“Larry is someone who’s just been developing very fast and furious as a choreographer,” Woetzel said. “He’s really made it.”
Other notable offerings include two evenings featuring the return of the famed Argentine tango duo, Natalia Hills and Gabriel Misse, including the American premiere of their new show, “Romper el Piso.”
“To watch Ms. Hills twisting rapidly in Mr. Misse’s arms or slowly extending a leg to slide it down the outside of his leg is to feel, again and again, the sensuous and sensual delight of the tango at its truest,” wrote New York Times critic Alastair Macaulay after seeing the couple in Vail last year.
Seattle’s Pacific Northwest Ballet will be back for two programs — one headlined by Twyla Tharp’s now-classic “Nine Sinatra Songs” and another featuring George Balanchine’s “Serenade” and “Square Dance.”
“The dancers are so beautiful and interesting, and their range is such that it’s a perfect fit,” Woetzel said. “And they have a loyal following in Vail.”
Kyle MacMillan: 303-954-1675 or kmacmillan@denverpost.com
2010 Vail International Dance Festival
• July 27, Savion Glover, tap
• July 31 and Aug. 1, Pacific Northwest Ballet
• Aug. 2, Paul Taylor Dance Company
• Aug. 3, Dance for $20.10, mixed bill
• Aug. 4, Beijing Dance/LDTX
• Aug. 5, Upclose: Stars of the 2010 International Evenings of Dance
• Aug. 6 and 7, International Evenings of Dance, stars from American Ballet Theatre, Royal Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Royal Danish Ballet, New York City Ballet
• Aug. 7, Upclose: The Art of Tango
• Aug. 8, Ballroom 2010: Tango!, American premiere of “Romper el Piso,” with Natalia Hills and Gabriel Misse
• Aug. 10, Bud Light Hot Summers Nights of Dance: BreakEFX.
All events take place in the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater. 888-920-2787 or .
