Rochester City Ballet will present its first show of the year with “Slightly Sinful”, including the New York premiere of international choreographer Danny Rosseel’s award-winning piece of the same name, September 9-11 at Nazareth Arts Center. Also included will be Artistic Director David Palmer’s own “Mist,” set to Philip Glass’ 1st Violin Concerto. The third ballet will be a world premiere by Palmer, set to be announced at the company’s InStudio on September 1st.

“I’m excited for audiences to see the beauty of both Rosseel’s ‘Slightly Sinful’ piece, as well as share one of my own personal favorites with ‘Mist’. The world premiere is sure to excite our audience, especially coming off the wonderfully received David Bowie Ballet in April,” shares David Palmer, Artistic Director for Rochester City Ballet.

 “This is the first full season under David’s talent and vision, and we know audiences are going to love what we have planned,” says Nichole Gantshar, Executive Director of RCB.

A highlight of “Slightly Sinful” will be the dancers dancing on, over, and with a large table, specifically commissioned for RCB by local craftsman James Kelley with strength, beauty, and key dimensions in mind. “Dancing with such a large piece will showcase the dancers in a new way that we know will both impress and captivate our audiences,” shared Gantshar.

See the RCB dancers in the 2016-2017 opener for “Slightly Sinful” as they capture the beauty of an old favorite, a New York Premiere, and a world premiere ballet—all in one performance

To purchase tickets: Order online at boxoffice.naz.edu or by calling 585-389-2170.

For more information, or to book an interview with David, Danny, or any of our talented RCB dancers, please contact: Jessica Kaufman, 347-563-3901 or jkaufman@rochestercityballet.org

David Palmer
David Palmer joined RCB in November, 2015 as Artistic Director. He previously served as the Associate Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet (TWB). He has been a force in the world of ballet for over thirty years as a Director, Choreographer and Principal Dancer.

David was highly regarded as an international guest artist and principal dancer revered in both the classics and the more contemporary works of today's masters for over two decades. From Siegfried and Romeo to modern works, his mastery of the dance form has been critically acclaimed. He had numerous works created upon him by leading choreographers including Mark Morris, Graeme Murphy, Stanton Welch, Julia Adam, Lynn Taylor-Corbett, Dietmar Seyffert, Helgi Tomasson, Gerald Arpino, and Val Caniparoli. Along with having danced most of the classical princes he was renowned as a leading dancer in Balanchine works.He has worked with many of today's other masters such as Paul Taylor, Juri Kylian, Lar Lubovitch, Christopher Bruce and William Forsythe.

His production of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe with TWB and Imagination Stage which went on to garner five Helen Hayes Award nominations and winning for Best Ensemble and Best Children's Musical. David is currently working on a new commission for TWB and Imagination Stage to be premiered in 2016 The Little Mermaid.

In 1997 David founded Maximum Dance Company with Yanis Pikieris. During his nine years as artistic director, MDC presented some eighty works, thirty world premieres and three full-evening works from both established choreographers such as Mark Morris, Maurice Bejart, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Julia Adam, and Kevin O'Day

His career began as a youth in musical theater and television in Australia. He went on to dance with the Australian Ballet rising quickly to the soloist ranks. He then went on to dance as a Principal Dancer with the Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, and San Francisco Ballet. He is married to Stephanie Walz, a former dancer with American Ballet Theatre, and they have two young daughters.

About the Rochester City Ballet
Established in 1987, The Rochester City Ballet is a contemporary ballet company that presents an extensive season of performances at the Nazareth College Arts Center and Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre. Rochester City Ballet award-winning productions are presented with live music or through artistic collaboration with a vibrant array of musicians and ensembles. This is internationally acclaimed Artistic Director David Palmer’s first full year with the ballet.