For Detroiters looking to do something different for Valentine’s Day weekend, they came out to the Detroit Opera House for Ballet Hispanico. Their two hour performance, which covered dances from Cuba and Brazil, was lively, sensual and, at times, joyous.

The first part entitled “Club Havana” instantly put me into a Cuban frame of mind. Their outfits recalled an early 20^th century Cuba. Their lithe movements were drenched in longing sensuality. As I took in every detail of each movement, I saw how the men pursued the women only to be pushed away. The whole back-and-forth dynamic was something very palpable.

Following the first intermission, Ballet Hispanico graced the audience with “Locked Up Laura.” The postmodern dance centered around a female dancer that seemed to be coaxed back onto the stage. A friend of mine attending the show with me said it best when she compared it to a line in Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb, “Come on it’s time to go.” Aside from the music, the bulk of the accompaniments were, in fact, stage calls for her. Particularly striking were the moments when the female dancer’s limbs were moved with invisible strings.

The last two pieces, “Triptico” and “Batucada Fanástica” were full-on tributes to Brazil and its music. Where the Cuban dances were more about longing, these performances were about the joy of Carnaval. From the music to the outfits, I could see Brazil written all over. The dancers’ shoulders and hips were doing the talking. The smiles on their faces were a complete contrast with the stern, yet smoldering demeanor during the Cuban dances.

Watching Ballet Hispanico was a real treat. I have to admit that, afterward, I was left with a real hankering for some Buena Vista Social Club, whose music was used during the first Cuban dance. Even though I’m not Cuban, there was something familiar about the music that wrapped around me like a blanket.

I give the performance a reluctant B+. I would have given it an A, except that I wasn’t fond of “Locked Up Laura” being included in the performance. I liked the piece but not alongside the other ones. I thought that it would been better by itself or as part of another program. Just as well, Ballet Hispanico did a great job and put on a stellar performance.

Author: José A. Rodríguez

Photos: Rosalie O’Connor & Ballet Hispanico