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Sights and sounds of 1920s Africa mix classical ballet with the intensity of traditional African dance in the world premiere of Flemming Flindt's Out of Africa, March 2528 at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.
Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley presents the original ballet, which is based on an early Flindt ballet inspired by the memoir of Denmark's Karen Blixen of her years running a coffee plantation in the hills of Kenya. Nearly a decade ago, Flindt created Lucifer's Daughter for the Queen of Denmark as an anniversary gift.
The revised story focuses on a woman reconciling significant milestones in her life. Childhood memories of a bittersweet past, complicated family relationships and passionate entanglements are played out in this emotional story.
To create a diverse backdrop, dancers are accompanied by authentic African songs and chants of a 70-member onstage chorus. Costumes of giant African feathered headdresses mix realistic characters with abstract figures. The show also included specially commissioned music by Carl Nielson.
Tickets are $22 to $68. Call 408.288.2800 or go to www.balletsanjose.org for more information.
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