After 25 years, Toronto’s premier dance company Ballet Creole will celebrate its silver anniversary season with a new section for Soulful Messiah and a ground-breaking spring production, Agua Como Vida.

These two very diverse yet harmonious productions are combined to share an uplifting, multicultural celebration and will be presented as part of the Next Steps Series at the Fleck Dance Theatre on Nov. 28 at Harbourfront Centre, Toronto.

Now in its 13th year, Soulful Messiah continues to thrill its audiences both young and old with its eclectic mix of dance and music genres that uplift the spirit and has made it a family favourite.

Artistic Director and Choreographer Patrick Parson will create a new section for the production this year, with dancers for the piece sourced from a community outreach initiative that will target recreational and advanced level dancers and dance lovers.

“Soulful Messiah has been supported over the years by a strong community. People love this production and we’ve heard time and time again from our audience that the energy, music and atmosphere make them want to get up and dance! Since this is such a special year for us, we thought we’d do something special with the community by creating this new piece and actually give people the opportunity to dance with Ballet Creole” says General Manager Natassia Parson.

Music lovers will enjoy the award-winning soundtrack with Quincy Jones’ soulful take on the classic Handel’s Messiah, while dance lovers will love the mixing of styles, including the talents of Guest Tapper David Cox (STOMP, three-time gold medalist at World Tap Dance Championships).

Lighting director Brad Trenaman (Associated Designers of Canada, CATS) sets the stage for this home-grown holiday tradition to delight audiences.

Ballet Creole’s 25th anniversary spring season is centred around one of Earth’s most valuable resources, water. Literally translating to “water as life”, Agua Como Vida will feature new works by Associate Choreographer Gabby Kamino, Artistic Director Parson and guest artists.

Soulful Messiah and Agua Como Vida tickets are $25 – $45 (student/senior rates available). Call Harbourfront Centre box office at 416-973-4000 or buy online at http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/nextsteps/ballet-creole-2/.

  Ballet, Creole, Fleck Dance Theatre, Soulful Messiah, TORONTO