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Ben Sollee Album Debut Performance

Ben Sollee Celebrates Release of Learning to Bend
with an Evening of Music and Dance

in the Atrium Gallery
November 16th & 17th, 8pm
Tickets: $10 available at 21c at the show

Limited Seating, standing room available
Doors open at 7:30, cash bar
Tickets will also be available at ear-X-tacy, Quills Coffee & Books, & Sunergos Coffee
 

Celebrating his debut release of Learning to Bend, Ben Sollee will return to 21c Museum Foundation to perform his unique musical style. For these exclusive evenings, he will not only be playing new compositions, but will direct a performance that combines music, dance, and photography.

This special event will feature the choreography of David Ingram, of empujon dance company, as well as Delilah Smyth, formerly of Louisville Ballet. Performing to the music will be Erica De La O and Kristopher Wojtera, two “First Soloist’s” dancers from the Louisville Ballet. In addition, the photographic work of Mickie Winters, a project realized in collaboration with Sollee, will be exhibited at 21c in a series inspired by the movement of dance.

Born and raised in Kentucky, the young cellist and singer-songwriter Ben Sollee is changing the way people think of the cello. While Ben has studied classically, his voice and style of playing reflect his connection to American roots music. His cello playing is a unique alchemy of fiddling, percussive bow work, and three-finger style plucking. His performances around the world with artists like Abigail Washburn, The Sparrow Quartet, and Otis Taylor reflect his diverse abilities.

Ben Sollee’s newest album, Learning to Bend, is evidence of his broad musical perspective. With guests such as Rayna Gellert and Bela Fleck, the music sways from a driving, fiddle-fueled song about Americans’ infatuation with their cars, to a playful song on growing up as a boy. The title track, Bend, poignantly addresses our need to accept difficult change and features a striking harp accompaniment composed by Ben.

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Performers and Works in the Evening

  • David Ingram – An alum of the Louisville Ballet, will be choreographing the evening’s performance. Upon graduating from Butler University with a BFA in dance performance, David went on to study dance and choreography with numerous schools, companies and summer programs across the U.S. David currently dances with North Carolina Dance Theatre, but Louisville audiences will recognize David as the founder of empujon dance company, which has twice performed at 21cMuseumHotel.
  • Delilah Smyth – Having left the Louisville Ballet this April as a first soloist, returns as a choreographer for Learning to Bend. Smyth has had the opportunity to choreograph for empujon, the Louisville Ballet, the Kentucky Opera, Musical Theater of Louisville, The Necessary Theater, and Finnigan Productions. Delilah continues to work on and off stage through out the state and abroad.
  • Erica De La O – Born in Los Angeles, Erica studied at Le Studio in Pasadena, CA, and the North Carolina School of Arts. Prior to joining the Louisville Ballet in 2003, Erica danced with Columbia City Ballet. Erica was awarded 2nd place at the 1997 Spotlight Awards, as she is a recipient of the 1999 John Orr Award, and was invited to perform at the 2003 New York International Ballet Competition Gala. Highlights in her repertoire include Giselle, Theme and Variations, Por El Fuego by Harrison McEldowney, Adam Hougland’s Free Flow, Four Last Songs and Jimmy Gabonet’s Nous Sommes, among others.
  • Kristopher Wojtera – Born in Poland, Kristopher graduated from National Ballet School in Golansk, Poland. He danced with the Polish National Theatre, where he portrayed roles in a variety of classical and contemporary ballets throughout Europe. Upon moving to the United States, he became a soloist with Columbia City Ballet (S.C.) and joined the Louisville Ballet in 2003. Kristopher has performed as a guest with the English National Ballet, National Choreographers’ Initiative (Calif.), Ballet Midwest, San Antonio Metropolitan Ballet, Boca Ballet and Carolina Ballet, among others.
  • Mickie Winters – Louisville artist and photographer Mickie Winters' work is known for its emotional impact. Aside from her studies at the University of Louisville she curates the gallery at the 930 Art Space. Her work here and at other small venues around Louisville connects young local talent with its audience. Mickie's contribution to Learning to Bend can be seen in the powerful images of dancers falling and bending.
  • The musicians performing for the evening will be: Scott Moore and Cheyenne Mize on violin, Erin Cassel on cello, Amy Isbell on harp, Lamar Cornett on percussion, and spoken word by Stewart Ascew.
  • Lighting Design by Michael Ford. Michael Ford is a native of Louisville and an alumnus of Bellarmine College. He has worked with the Louisville Ballet since 1974 and has been Resident Lighting Designer and Stage Manager since 1978. Mr. Ford has designed dance productions for such well-known choreographers as Erik Bruhn, Choo-San Goh, Bruce Marks, Lynn Taylor Corbett, Robert Gladstein, Ron Cunningham, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Adam Hougland, André Prokovsky, and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
  • Learning to Bend will be on sale at the performance for $15; there is a limited edition of 1000.


Ben Sollee Press contact:

Crash Avenue Publicity
Contact: Jeffrey Smith
120 Webster Street Ste 217C
Louisville, KY 40206
p. 502.583.4001
e. jeffrey@crash-avenue.com