Published on March 12, 2012 by Sean Flynt  

The Leslie Stephen Wright Fine Arts Center at Samford University is proud to conclude the new Wright Center Presents series with two international performers: The Peking Acrobats on Tuesday, March 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Ballet Hispanico on Friday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m.

The Peking Acrobats (tickets $17-$35) feature some of China's most gifted tumblers,contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, and gymnasts, complemented by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments, represent a 2,000-year-old tradition of acrobatics.  Over the last 25years, The Peking Acrobats have played to sold-out houses and earned rave reviews throughout the world. The New York Times has said of the company, "The vocabulary of exclamation seeks expression as the medium of awed and surprised reaction to the wondrous feats of The Peking Acrobats! In their graceful efforts…these brightly costumed tumblers, acrobats, cyclists,jugglers and clever clowns provide 90 minutes of family fun."

Ballet Hispanico (tickets $20-$40) explores, preserves and celebrates Latino cultures through dance. The Company celebrates the dynamic aesthetics of the Hispanic diaspora, building new avenues of cultural dialogue and sharing the joy of dance with all communities. From its grassroots origins as a dance school and community-based performing arts troupe, the organization has grown into a world class institution.  In August 2009, Ballet Hispanico welcomed Eduardo Vilaro as its Artistic Director. A former member of the Ballet Hispanico Company, Vilaro founded and led Chicago's Luna Negra Dance Theater for ten years. Vilaro's background in dance education and community outreach allows him to build on the core values established by Ms. Ramirez to bring Ballet Hispanico into an artistically vibrant future. The impressive company has been called "….stellar in both their stylistic malleability and their ability to create characters…. [they're] gorgeous to look at and thrilling to watch-highly individualistic performers who can shift easily from ballet and modern to a whole range of Latin styles."

 

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.