I won tickets through BARTable to see the Smuin Ballet perform at the YBCA Theater a while back. I ended up taking my brother's partner since he didn't want to go. The performance we saw was unusual. Part of it was short numbers performed by two, three, or four dancers at a time; part of it was a slightly longer work that involved most (all?) of the ensemble; part of it was these duet snippets almost previewing parts of a larger upcoming performance. The dancers were amazing. They were really skilled, and it was neat during the intermission to read their bios. It also felt kind of uncanny, because they had recently moved into the regular-person dance studio that I had passed on the bus for years, so I won this random contest to see a ballet company that I had never heard of but whose future rehearsal space I knew well. When I was in college, a good friend of mine was a dance major, so I used to go to all of her shows, and I sometimes spent time with her in the studio while she practiced. I got to know some of her classmates and actually learned quite a bit about dance and choreography just by spending time with her. All of that experience from years before was helpful, because I don't think I would have enjoyed this particular show as much as I did if I hadn't seen all kinds of dance, not just the most traditional, well known forms. If, unlike me, you're paying for your tickets, be sure to find out what actual show you're seeing. Again, some people only seem to enjoy the most traditional forms of dance, including ballet. Based on the show and what I read afterward, Smuin incorporates all kinds of styles. If you're happy with The Nutcracker that you've watched every year since the '80s, this might not be the ballet troupe for you. I'm crossing my fingers that San Francisco can continue to support multiple ballet ensembles. The rich techies in our midst have more money than they know what to do with, yet the arts can't get the funding they need. It's really sad, and proof that taxes are way too low. read more

This was my first time attending The Smuin's Christmas Ballet on December 8, 2024. I was amazed at the performance and selection of holiday songs. There were two acts, and this performance in Mountain View was their last one and their next stop is San Francisco. The two acts were 40 minutes with one twenty minute intermission. The first act was more traditional with classical music, and dance/music from different cultures: Spanish, French, Czech, and Jewish. Act 2 was more contemporary, modern songs and the second half started with the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" by the Jackson 5, children's art work projecting on the closed curtains on stage, and lastly, a reading of A Night Before Christmas. This was a nice touch to start act 2. During the last song of the performance, snow fell to the stage and in the middle section of the audience. A winter wonderland! The only thing during the falling snow was the noise of the contraption that the employee was pulling it was loud and distracting. This holiday ballet performance got me in a festive mood from the holiday classics of "Santa Baby", to "Last Christmas" by Wham. The performances were magical, a delight to watch. The dancers were enthusiastic, the stage was festive, and both acts went by quickly. I wanted the performance to go on forever. I was pleasantly surprised since I had no idea of what I would be seeing and this was my first time hearing about the Smuin Ballet. I will definitely come back next year. The Smuin Ballet will be performing in San Francisco till Christmas Eve, "2024". read more

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Absolutely recommend seeing one of their performances if you're given the opportunity! Their Christmas event is spectacular, not at all boring or mundane. These dancers are amazing athletes, and their energy lights up the stage. Yerba Buena is an excellent venue as well. read more

We go to their Christmas performance every year (and virtually once upon a time) and it never disappoints. Leaves everyone young and old with a smile on their face. An absolutely delightful way to spend an evening with family. read more

Smuin Ballet - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

I write to praise the Smuin Ballet. I know nothing of dance. I just want to say the shows are exciting, fast paced, and engaging for someone who is not a dancer nor an aficionado. In particular, the Christmas show is spectacular and worthwhile. If I had the opportunity to see Smuin, I would. I am not always around during the right time period for the Christmas show, which is too bad. read more

I'm the worst part time professional ballet dancer in America, but I do know a little something about ballet...and I do know that Smuin Ballet is exceptional, energetic, and exciting. I honestly really wanted to see San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker...but having performed in Nutcracker for the past 16 years, and having seen many other Nutcrackers, I opted to see Smuin's Christmas Ballet instead...a show that is refreshing and innovative. And it was a lot cheaper! Act 1 was more classical choreography but still unique and innovative. The pas de deux pieces are creative and breathtaking, and executed with near perfection, but... Act 2 is where is where all the fun is: modern and contemporary choreography set to modern and contemporary music hits: Santa Baby, Blue Christmas, Rocking Around the Christmas Tree, and more popular hits. The adept and agile ballerinas seemed to infused with limitless energy as they gracefully and effortlessly danced. My 3rd grade level writing skills can't capture the enchanting beauty of all this art...go see for yourself. read more

Smuin Ballet - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

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We saw the "Christmas ballet" yesterday. The first part was a little slow. But it was extremely disappointing that a "Christmas show" would have two dances that were Jewish. I didn't realize the meaning of Christmas, the birth or Jesus Christ, thus us not anti semetic, Just the reality Maybe you should change the name of the show read more

We found discounted tickets on Travelzoo and decided to check it out at the Mountain View performance. We've seen both traditional ballet like Nutcracker as well as modern shows so we're curious what this would be like. The first half was more traditional with normal ballet wear and orchestra music but the second part was contemporary with fun, modern versions of everyone's Christmas favorites. The dancers were super diverse and absolutely talented. The cafe on site served decent chai and lemon tart as well. read more

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The perfect thing to kick me out of my fugue-like state.. Speechless and on a total high, having just come back from a *spectacular* spring show.... the passion and emotion of music, with the lyrics being the dancers and their movements, their lines, expressions....definitely transported and forgot about any earthly woes. Irenic in, weltschmerz out as I sat second row, mesmerized by the precision, the strength, and the cohesiveness and choreography to everything from Mozart's (grew up playing lots of his piano compositions) Requiem, to a melange of Beatles melodies (plangent and light-hearted). I got great classical ballet, modern dance, and yep... even tap! What is so enjoyable about fine arts for me is the gamut of emotions displayed, everything from romantic love, to hope, fear, anger, bliss. As like a symphony, capitulation usually comes in the end of any work. 3 parts, 2 intermissions... the first one surprisingly just about 10 minutes into the program. Show in SF performed at YBCA's Novellus...if you're a freak and walk/run to BART and sit as close to the exit as I, you can catch the 2218 train... but you and your hiney are gonna break a little fine sweat! Awesome self date for a Wed. night. read more

Smuin Ballet - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

This weekend marked our 2nd XXMas Ballet event & our 3rd time seeing these amazing performers at Smuin Ballet Dividing up the show into "Classical" & "Cool" acts, we're treated to traditional ballet numbers celebrating the holiday season to those swing & pop songs we all know & hold a special place in our hearts for..... The troupe is extremely well-choreographed & coordinated, in the sense that they all seem to move as one unit We all have seen shows where each dancer seems to be doing their own thing & it really detracts from the performance......not here! These dancers are so graceful, fluid & no matter how many are on the stage, there seems to be a sense of 1 ebb & flow & that takes talent!! Fun costumes ranging from the all-white-with-a-bit-of-sparkle to the colorfully-all-sequined-and-bejewled.....you'll find yourself completely awed & wishing you could see them immediately all over again read more

Smuin Ballet - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

I can't say that I'm a ballet expert. Actually, I've only seen one other ballet in my life, but thanks to the awesome awesome awesome Connie C I was able to go see the Smuin Ballet. I can confidently say that I would go back next season to see what new show they have come up with. Compared to the other ballet I had seen this seemed very modern and was...dare I say...entertaining. We saw "Dancin' With Gershwin: Get Your Gershwin On!!" and it was a great show. The first half of the show was incredibly entertaining. The dancing is always amazing but what really caught my eye was the set design and the music. I heard a little Gershwin in my college music appreciation course, but this ballet rocked so many different types of music. The dancers were attractive but the creative director (Celia Fushille) was gorgeous. Am I allowed to write that in a yelp review? Can I look that good when I get older? Whatever she's taking, sign me up. I would definitely recommend Smuin Ballet at the Yerba Buena. Thanks Connie! read more

I haven't been to a ballet in ages so I wasn't sure what to expect, and I was totally amazed and delighted by this production! The venue is at the picturesque Fort Mason Center. I spent the early afternoon wandering around the Sunday farmers market and then caught a matinee at the Smuin ballet. A wonderful way to spend a day in the City! read more

Yelp and I took my boyfriend to the ballet and... he LIKED it. No, you did not mishear me... he actually said he liked it when I ask and then... told me thank-you again today! *faint* He was hesitant to go and I was worried that he'd be bored but apparently, I can now confidently applaud the Smuin ballet company for putting on a show that appeals to and entertains a mixed audience. I wish more young people would realize how fun these performances can be! The Winter Program of Smuin ballet was very diverse and lively, it kept us on our toes, wondering what would be coming next. It featured 4 performances; the world premiere of 'Objects of Curiosity', 'Duettino', 'Stabat Mater' and 'Reinin' in the Hurricane'. We (the yelpers) commented on how it smoothly moved from modern to more traditional to dramatic to comedic! My favorite was the premiere of 'Objects of Curiosity'. It was so unique and fun, it really set the stage for a good night. My boyfriends favorite was the country/western ballet, 'Reinin in the Hurricane'. At least I think it was his favorite, he ask me about music from it when we got home (as I was getting the Randy Travis song from iTunes)! Our favorite performers were Kevin Yee-Chan and Courtney Hellebuyck. Honestly though, we judged purely on aesthetics! All of the performers were great. And like someone mentioned before, we admired their beautifully sculpted, athletic bodies and amazing ability. I was glad they didn't all look like cookie-cutter performers. They were unique, some even curvy! :-) read more

************* REVIEW 272 **************** I took my nieces to see Smuin Ballet, Fall Program at the Palace of Fine Arts last week. It was such a nice show. Beautiful dancers, everyone was synchronized, on point, rhythm, & perfect. There was 3 sessions, each about 20 minutes, and intermission 15 minutes between sessions. My nieces got to get up, stretch, and got their sweet fix. 1st Session: Brahmas-Haydn Variations by Michael Smuin - This was 8 variations, more classical, beautiful played. This was premier back in 1996. My favorite, because I've been a ballet student for 10 years when I was younger, I always prefer classic, that's just me! 2nd Session: Oh, Inverted World by Trey McIntyre - This was 8 variations, premiered first time in OCT 1, 2010 - this was my nieces favorite parts of all 3 sessions - more modern, funny, more stories telling, & definite more eyes candy for me because all the male dancers were in the boxer! Forget about 6 packs, let's see 8-12 packs! Oh my my! 3rd Session: Bluegrass/Slyde by Michael Smuin - This was 7 smaller sessions - all dressed in black tanks & leggings. Modern styles, a lot to do with the metal frame structures, poll dancing & etc. I was worried that my 6 years old nice would snoring away, but to my surprise, she stayed awake & enjoyed it quite a bit! For only $25-$60 a ticket, this definitely a lot better than to a movie theater & my nieces got more cultured, can't get any better than this! Great Fall program, highly recommend it to all. read more

Smuin Ballet - my lil niece enjoys the show a lot. - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

Tickets off of Goldstar were $106.50 for three silver-level seats (there's three types of seating, gold, silver and bronze) and the ballet was at the Palace of Fine Arts. We picked up the tickets at the will-call window. There was plenty of parking if you got there early. There were five different acts (separate pieces performed), three short and two long with two intermissions in between. I'd highly recommend this to everyone, including guys that think watching ballet is boring. It was eclectic in terms of the music and one of the longer acts was like watching a muted opera - very strong non-verbal dancing and acting with lots of drama! Their fall feature was a bit too American Apparel-esque and high schoolish, but the other acts were great (especially the first romantic piece with the three couples). Highly recommended! read more

I've enjoyed the Smuin Ballet performances that I've attended. The last performance I attended ended with music from Etta James & 1 of the dances paid homage to Rodin (love him)! The dancers are strong & expressive. I'm always impressed how dancers can leap & land without a sound. I'd be a clod & land with a loud thump, lol. I introduced many friends to the Smuin Ballet & they were happy to discover them. read more

Purchased tickets for the Christmas Ballet from a seller on craigslist who bought them for 50% off. The theatre is quite small (Yerba Buena Performing Arts) and we had orchestra seats which gave us a great view of all the performers. The first half of the show was a traditional ballet and the second half was various types of dance (jazz, lindy, tap). I really enjoyed this performance. Support local performing arts! I would definitely watch another performance by Smuin. read more

I went into this not knowing what to expect other than a Christmas ballet. I love dance but I just couldn't really get into it. The beginning was quite traditional with very traditional Christmas white people music (please don't kill me). There were very few costume changes and the choreos didn't feel very exciting to me (but what can you do with the music :( The latter half was a little more exciting and modern, and even the dancing was a little better (technique wise? maybe they were less nervous). However, it felt like it was aimed at kids or maybe families. Overall I thought it'd be spicier and more interesting. I fell asleep many times but I was pretty sleep deprived. Overall I think the dancers were great and showed some interesting moves, but the choreo and music/costumes did not do them justice. They would begin some interesting movements at the ends of choreos to move off the stage, felt a bit like a tease. I don't understand the Yelp koolaid. read more

The Spring Program was Fabulous!!! I treated myself as a Mother's Day gift...and what a TREAT it was!!! The show was at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts...a nice venue, with comfortable seating & great staff (and volunteers...Thank You!) The show had 3 sets, beginning with music from Prokofiev...Then Mozart and ending with The Beatles...Excellent music choices! Especially the FUN Beatles arrangement at the end of the program. The entire show was very entertaining!!! Once you've seen the Smuin Ballet, none other will do... The Dancers are soooo incredibly talented...especially the young lady performing during the Beatles song "Something"...she was Something Else!!! WOW!!! (Can one's body really move like that??? Amazing!!!) I left feeling so entertained, fulfilled, in awe and incredibly HAPPY!!! Thank You Smuin Ballet...BRAVO! BRAVO! read more

Smuin Ballet - Performing Arts Near Me - San Francisco, California

When I sat down for a performance of Uncorked, Smuin Ballet's The Christmas Ballet, I had no idea what to expect. One friend had seen their annual show once or twice before but the rest of us were newbies to this experience. There are two parts to the performance. The first half contains traditional ballet numbers while the second half contains modern and fun (and funny) dance numbers set to traditional holiday songs and Christmas carols. There is one intermission. Even those that don't traditionally enjoy dance performances will have a good time at The Christmas Ballet. This would be a good event for families, children and groups. Performances are in the afternoon and evening and held in various locations around the Bay Area. This performance was staged at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. We sat in the upper section of seats, which provided a good view of the stage. One benefit was the absence of "snow" on our heads and shoulders! Tickets were purchased through Goldstar and given what we saw, it was a fantastic deal. I would have happily paid full price for a ticket to the performance. The seats were comfortable and we did not have any issues with with sight lines to the stage. Food and drinks sold at the event can be enjoyed in the theater. Smuin Ballet is a local dance company and I'm happy to support high quality local arts groups. I look forward to attending other Smuin Ballet performances. read more

"Dancing with Gershwin" at the Mountain View Center for The Performing Arts was a visual treat like no other! Our thanks to Connie C. from whom we received, via Will Call, free tickets for four ~ hugs! :0) All of the performers were incredible artists that words simply cannot do justice to what we experienced. Robin Cornwell (with the men in the dance company) did an amazing "Marilyn Monroe" in "Do It Again" feathers and all...really beautiful! The piece "Nice Work if You Can Get It" featured Erin Yarbrough-Stewart/Kevin Yee-Chan + Jessica Touchet/Koichi Kubo + Olivia Ramsay/Aaron Thayer and THEY were so entertaining! Granted the crowd was a much older group but you couldn't help but get caught up in their infectious enjoyment of the time of their youth ~ it was so nice seeing so many senior citizens really having the times of their lives.... Though Susan Roemer is new to Smuin Ballet (her first season), she was magnificent in "Summertime" in a solo performance as was Amy Seiwert in "'S Wonderful" who has been with the group since 1999. The pieces performed by the entire company were breath taking and so much fun to watch "Shall We Dance" at the end of the first 1/2 of the program and "Slap that Bass" for the last performance. Our college age son was clearly the youngest attendee but even he enjoyed the entertainment by Smuin Ballet. While the audience was mainly older folks (70s and up), there were a sprinkling of 30s - 50s. Mind you this was due to the material presented however we are looking forward to more performances as paid attendees! Thanks for introducing us to Smuin Ballet Connie! :0) read more

I had the wonderful opportunity of seeing the Smuin Ballet troupe perform at Mt. View Center for Performing Arts during their last 5 days of their Winter Program with a group of fellow yelpers. The performances were incredibly innovative and so beautifully put together. The program consisted of four pieces that fused classical ballet with contemporary dance, which is why I found it so entertaining and unique. The 16 artists were all extremely versatile dancers. They were graceful and athletic; the pieces were dramatic and comedic. I loved that the artists were so diverse, in ethnicity, sex, and body types. They made the most technically difficult moves look so elegant with ease. It seemed that the entire audience was in utter awe as I was throughout the performance. I really enjoyed the first piece of the Winter Program, which was called "Objects of Curiosity." Choreographed by one of the company's very own artists, who was the female lead in the second piece "Duettino," it really showcased the diverse range of the artists. Our seats were in the 4th row, and I was completely drawn in. The choreography was brilliant, and I would find myself fixated on one couple, but there was also so much else going on at the same time. The pieces were all quite short, which kept things fresh (perfect for those with ADD). Shifting from lighthearted to dramatic, the second piece, "Stabat Mater" was choreographed by founder Michael Smuin (who passed away last year) to Dvorak's music in response to the tragedies surrounding 9/11. Although there was no live orchestra, the music was still very powerful, making the ballet that much more moving. The set design was very simple, but the use of lighting made it seem like it was constantly changing. The final piece, "Reinin' in the Hurricane," was a playful and comedic country western ballet, set to music of Johnny Cash, Gene Autry and k.d. lang. I could hear people around us singing along with some of the songs. There was even a Brokeback Mountain reference thrown in. So fun and different, it was a great way to end the show! Smuin Ballet is definitely one of the most unique ballet companies I've ever seen. Everyone should catch one of their performances at least once - you can see them in San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Mt. View, or Carmel. read more

No amount of words can express how much I love the Smuin Ballet. I was a dancer for 13 years and was in the dance program all throughout high school. Our assignments were to see and critique at 2 dance concerts every semester. Whenever I had to choose which dance company to watch I usually went to see the Smuin Ballet (they have different programs for each season). This ballet company isn't your ordinary ballet company they're so much more! Their programs are so much fun and refreshing to watch as compared to traditional ballet companies. The music, choreography, costumes, etc are so wonderful. If you think the traditional ballet companies are too stuffy for you then give this dance company a chance.. even if you drag a guy with you I'm sure you'll both enjoy it. Also, I've only seen the Smuin ballet when they performed at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and not at the Mountain View location. The YBCA is a great location, the theater is small so whether you sit in the orchestra or terrace you'll get a great view. read more

I consider myself a man about town and am willing to give most things a shot at least once. But the ballet? Dudes in tights? Oh wait, that also means women in tights - yes please! All kidding aside, the Smuin Ballet's performance of Dancin' with Gershwin was great. The dancers were incredibly talented and setting the ballet to the music of Gershwin was pure genius. And I'd be doing the public a disservice if I didn't mention how hot the dancers were. I may be all cultured and stuff but I'm still a man. read more

Smuin Ballet performances varied from excellent to just awful. I expect better. My friend and I attended the recent Smuin performance. She and I both agreed: If I Were a Sushi Roll was the worst professional dance performance we have ever witnessed. The music by Nico Muhly and Teitur was awful, soulless, and with absolutely no emotion. Therefore, the choreography and dancing were third rate. Without music that makes the audience feel something, the dance performance is a waste of time and money. Falling Up was a mediocre performance. Oasis, however, was brilliant. This was Smuin's only performance in which the music, the scenery, and the choreography all meshed brilliantly in order to stir powerful emotions within me. The physical condition of the young dancers was excellent and their athleticism was impressive. With 3 dances, if one was excellent, one was good, and one was mediocre, that is OK. However, in this Smuin performance, one was excellent; one was awful and one was mediocre and that is less that I had hoped for. In two of the dances, Smuin chose to darken the stage. I do not understand that nor do I like it. I want a clear vision of each and every dancer's face and body. At this performance Smuin asked the audience to subscribe to their new season. So when I returned home, with the joy of Oasis, I went to their website and could not find what dances were performed next season nor the cost of tickets. That is inexcusable. I would like for the community to support Smuin, but I expect better of Smuin in return. read more

Wow, this was not your ordinary ballet! "Dancin' with Gershwin" was a mix of ballet, tap and jazz performances set not only to the music of George and Ira Gershwin, but to other artists such as Nat King Cole, Cher, Peter Gabriel, Lena Horne and Fred Astaire. Each performance was a show in its own. Ranging from romantic to humorous to just plain silly, there was not one second that I was not fully engaged and amazed at the dancers' abilities. I definitely recommend going to the Smuin Ballet! Seeing this performance at Yerba Buena (YBCA) made it even better since the theatre was just cozy enough to be up close no matter where your seats were. Lucky for me, I have a really cool friend who hooked me up with great seats! Thanks!!! read more

Tremendous! A must-see for so many reasons. *SMUIN is ballet with modern twists. Yes, classical. But also sexy, fun, sultry, awe-inspiring, warm-hearted, engaging, funny. *Dancers are super attractive :) No skeleton-starved ballet dancers here. Ladies with sinewy figures and men with very nice (back-side!) muscles will make you all-eyes, all night. *You don't have to exchange an arm and a leg for tickets. If you haven't already, then add SMUIN to your SF "Must do" list! read more

I am by no means well versed in ballet. I think I have been to 3 or 4 ballets in my life. I went to go see the Winter Program for the Smuin Ballet in Mountain View. This ballet performance by Smuin Ballet is something very different from other ballets that I have been to. There is no live orchestra, which I think puts an incredible amount of emphasis on the actual dance. I mean, yes, it's always about the dancers, but when there is a live orchestra, there is another layer on top of it all. The performance is incredibly diverse. There are elements of what I would have considered interpretive dance, classic ballet (bad tu-tu's and all), and, believe it or not, a ho-down. Sure, it was all done in ballet style, but the "elements" that I speak of were pretty clearly visible. The first part of the evening was the dance "Objects of Curiosity," which is actually choreographed by one of the dancers, Amy Seiwert. She is the one who is later put in the bad tu-tu. It's a mix of ballet, interpretive dance and just a dream-like state. I'm actually still not sure if I really liked it or not. But it obviously stayed with me and I actually find myself thinking about the movement of the dancers a lot. The evening continued with "Duettino," where Seiwert finally got to dance (in said tu-tu), together is Ikolo Griffin, who was my favorite dancer of the evening. You had no choice but to stare at him with a dropped jaw as he danced around the stage. That, and he had a great ass. "Stabat Mater" was my favorite dance of the evening and apparently depicted Mary's mourning after her son was crucified. Sure, I got that, but what I saw was more along the lines of two lovers after one had died. Either way, it was incredible. You really felt the sorrow of the ballerina, Vanessa Thiessen. I couldn't take my eyes off her. I really, truly felt sorry for her and wanted to go up there and give her a hug. Don't worry, I controlled myself. The evening ended with a ho-down. I really wasn't kidding about that. Dancers wore western garments (as in chaps, demin and cowboy hats) and skipped and slapped to bluegrass music. Now, I have to mention here that I actually really dislike country music, but the dancers made it fun and I actually enjoyed this segment. Not as much as the other ones, but I still thought it was good. All in all, I had a really great time watching Smuin Ballet. They are actually touring around the Bay area and so they aren't just going to be in Mountain View. I think there are stops in San Francisco and Carmel planned. I think that it's a pretty good choice for a "something different" night out. read more

I doze off during most musicals and most SF Ballet performances because it gets dull here and there, BUT, I was fully awake, alert and entertained by the Smuin Ballet performance of Dancin with Gershwin. It was fantastic! Thank you Yelp and Connie for hooking me up!!! read more

I love this company. I met Michael Smuin a few years ago at one before one of their performances - he really sold me. It's unfortunate that he's no longer with us. I just got back from their winter program. Their performance of 'Stabat Mater' was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. Dvorak's piece is incredibly powerful on its own, and their choreography was very moving, sending chills up my spine. The opening piece was bold and sharp. A great opener. I'd have to say that their pop pieces aren't quite to my taste, but I'm beginning to like them a little more, so I guess it's growing on me. read more

1st review? I'm really surprised seeing as the Smuin ballet has been around since '94. So I went last night to a performance of 3 pieces. The first, Symphony of Psalms, was really lovely. The dancing was beautiful and the partner work was flawless. The middle piece, The Blue Angel, was a story-telling and super depressing. It also was obvious. I tend to like dance where you can create your own impressions, this didn't give you that freedom. Oh yeah, there was also a man in a thong. I think thongs on men are the least sexy thing in the world. But hey, if that's your thing, all the more reason to go. The last piece was a medley of Frank Sinatra's songs and my favorite dancing of all of them. :-) For a modern, innovative ballet I was impressed by their ability to flawlessly pair modern and jazz dance with classical ballet. They also threw in a little tap dancing in one of the Frank Sinatra numbers. Go, support the arts and enjoy a good ballet. (or just check out the guy in the thong) read more

I excitedly bought tickets to see Smuin's Christmas Ballet. The first half was more of a classical experience. The performers danced to several short songs and seemed to do a new dance every 5-10 minutes. The tone and feel of the majority of these performances was exactly what you would expect and want to find in a Christmas ballet to traditional music. Then came the second to last performance before the intermission. From the moment the dancers pranced onto the stage my jaw dropped. Not only did this segment not match the rest of the show's tone but it seemed to mock the traditions of a religious minority group. The men were grinning like idiots and wearing traditional Jewish hats, yarmulke. They moved around in Jewish costume in a cartoon goofy way (a la old Disney or Bugs Bunny cartoons). It only got worse from there. The lone female dancer was passed from one man to the next until they cut to the next scene showing one yarmulke-wearing man in his prayer shawl (it was very clearly his undergarments). She ends up flat on her back with her head in his lap. They essentially start to make out and when he "hits her spot" she involuntary shakes her leg like a dog or rabbit. I was mortified. Portraying a group of people like animals and very clearly disrespecting their cultural form of dance and dress... mocking the dance and the people.... how on earth can Smuin's leadership have approved this? Why was this segment a goofy comedy at the expense of a culture when the "Christian" elements from 5 minutes earlier were full of beauty and respect? I immediately sought out the manager-on-duty at intermission and was shocked to learn that this wasn't the first time Smuin has used this segment in their Christmas ballet. She admitted that it makes her and several other members of the dance group and stage crew uncomfortable. Something needs to be done. Remove this number from the performance!! Are they going to do black-face next week? It's almost 2020. This is unacceptable. read more

RIP Mr. Smuin, died 2007 of I believe a heart attack ...was he a smoker? He used to be the choreographer for SF Ballet before Helgi Thomason and the SF Ballet Board did a total overhaul of the administration and creative directors way back when, but I LOVE Smuin's choreographer for his sensuous interpretations. Best wishes to SMUIN BALLET to continue on w/o his presence. read more

After seeing them this weekend, I said to myself... I gotta yelp this! OMG the beauty the stage is a canvas of human bodies and motion the choreography some from YooChu & Geoffrey sp? AMAZING ATHLETES creating BEAUTY in Human Form and Motion... Then the fun of the 3rd part with the Beatles - anything with the Beatles my husband will go to and the solo's esp at the end were phenomenal. Thought it would be corny but not. First was the Geoffrey dance short intermisstion then the second was a Mozart Requiem (cool, passionate, somewhat dark) then a short intermission before third fun Beatles dance. I put myself on their mailing list and will go again! We were trying to go to some theater thing but were diverted to this. I think this was much better. I have been more open to Ballet since a friend used to take me to the Nutcracker for many Christmas'. After seeing something like this I have beautiful thoughts and dreams for days and longer after wards. Thank you for the Beautiful Evening Smuin Ballet Troupe! read more

Apparently when your girlfriend says she has tickets for the ballet, "do we have to go" is not the right answer. So I went to see the winter program, which seemed more like a ballet degustation, from somewhat modern, to "OMG this is just like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (google/imdb it), which is a very entertaining old movie if you fast-forward the singing bits, and laugh at the now-hilariously-non-pc dialog. I know very little about ballet, so I would have liked more background info about each act in the program, but overall I found it very accessible and fun. I am now very tempted to go and see "Dancin' With Gershwin", who'd have thought? read more

There was a theme in the beginning with a little bit of classical ballet, Spanish dancing and surprisingly , Western. I usually rarely watch Ballet but I was entertained, amused and even inspired. The cast were very skillful and experienced and do come in a variety of body types (well all of them look like they retain the lean muscular form from being able to stand on their toes for long periods as well as lift and toss people with very little difficulty) The pieces start with from setting up a mood and gravitate towards a very active and an almost festive dance where the steps are timed to the beats and tune of the music. Amazing. Venue was in Mountain View Center for Performing Arts - MVCPA The theater looks new, very clean. read more

The Smuin Ballet choreography and performances are often quite fabulous. A mix of classical ballet with a variety of other dance styles that works very well. They have seasons in four Bay Area locations: SF's Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Mountain View Center for the Arts, Walnut Creek's Lesher Center for the Arts, and Carmel's Sunset Center. They're definitely worth seeing at a venue near you! read more

I really can't complain. Fall/Winter programme including two by Smuin and one by Seiwert. The Seiwert piece seemed to be about two people who were about to get married. Pretty costumes, pas de deux were my favorite parts. Some of the Kronos music is ubiquitous - love it but I kept thinking of the NPR show that uses part of it as its theme music. One Smuin set of hot tawdry Medea action with lovely solos. Men dancing extremely athletically in nothing but what looks like thongs. Whether or not that's an optical illusion... Last set is done to Frank Sinatra songs with full Sinatra lyrics. Tap dancing even. Solo dances by men in hats. They do milk the vest/hat poses a little much but it's all in good fun. The best number here is "Fly Me to the Moon." Perfect mix of that athleticism, humor, and Sinatra. This was all cool. read more

The Smuin Ballet is a winsome local troupe, and justifiably commands the loyalty and admiration of many Bay Area folks. The dancers are all classically trained, but the style itself is a meld of classic ballet and modern dance. The current Spring Program is 3 works, each with all the dancers in one theme color (grey, peach, and blue), and minimalist or no set design. Numerous signature moves that repeated throughout, such as windmilling arms and men dragging women, gave an element of continuity among the three works, despite the fact each had a different choreographer. The dancers varied in ability level: all were at least good, some very good. The two 20-minute intermissions were a welcome chance to walk around, get a coffee or just to discuss each dance work. I will definitely see them again! This region is fortunate to have a resident modern dance company, and a great performance space for them. Yerba Buena Center is the perfect space for a troupe like this. It's small & there's not a bad seat, so you can connect to the dancers better. It's very accessible. Lots of great restaurants nearby for pre-performance dinners, and several bus routes nearby, as well as BART. read more

Came here because my parents were visiting from out of town. I wanted them to have good time, so we bought tickets to the ballet!!! Ant the performance was beautiful! My family had such a great time!!! They toured downtown San Francisco, had a great dinner and finished it with a ballet!!!! Would highly recommend this show ' read more

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