MANSFIELD – Fine arts are prepared to make a fierce return to downtown Mansfield this Saturday with the fourth-annual production of Ballet @ the Brickyard.
Hosted by Neos Dance Theatre, the one-night-only festival brings together gourmet food and drink, local artists and musicians, and the most creative choreography the dance company has to offer. For Neos artistic director Bobby Wesner, it’s one of his favorite events.
“In some aspects it feels like it’s a staple in our community, something you can rely on,” Wesner said. “In other aspects, it feels like we’re just getting started in terms of bringing more of the high arts into the area to utilize the space and diversify as many offerings as we can in the footprint of the Brickyard.”
Wesner’s vision four years ago was to create an event that would become a cultural staple in the community. Now, against the industrial-age, rust belt backdrop, Ballet @ the Brickyard has become a convergence of local talent and high artistic quality.
“The whole premise was to include and highlight some of the finer things in Mansfield, to really pull in neighbors of the Brickyard or staples of downtown Mansfield and highlight we are co-laborers in this arts and culture sector,” Wesner said.
“We also try to bring in art that is a touch more obscure than what the general theatergoer might experience so that we stretch someone’s palette or experience of what art is.”
In fact, according to Wesner, “Ballet @ the Brickyard” will actually feature zero ballet. Rather than the more traditional style of dance audiences may be used to seeing, Neos has worked with a Chicago choreographer to create a more contemporary work while drawing on years of experience in a ballet dance technique.
“We bring that knowledge of our bodies and the style of dance, but then we morph it and change it to a contemporary choreographer’s ideas,” Wesner said. “It’s so creative and interesting, and it’s amazing to see how the dancers absorbed her styles. They’re moving in some ways that I don’t even think look human.”
Dance is not the only art form to be celebrated on Saturday. A number of visual artists will be creating work in the Brickyard throughout the event, and musicians Brady Jacquin and the Kyler Morrison Band will provide the soundtrack to the evening.
Altered Eats food truck will be on hand to provide food for the VIP area, while Slab Daddy’s BBQ and Sunset Slush will be available to all. Wines and beers will be featured from Cypress Cellars and the Phoenix Brewing Company.
Ballet @ the Brickyard kicks off at 6 p.m. with food and music until the main dance performance begins at 8:45 with guest dancers from Richland Academy.
Tickets are currently on sale for Ballet @ the Brickyard, regular tickets at $25 and VIP tickets at $65. It is recommended that VIP tickets are purchased in advance, while regular tickets can be purchased the night of the event.
With so many creative people coming together, Wesner has created a “cultural smorgasbord” at Ballet @ the Brickyard – which is just how he likes it.
“I think it’s more interesting – but maybe I’m just ADD,” he said with a laugh. “But I think the audience loves it too, and there’s an opportunity to show such a wide range in one evening. It’s like going to an art museum or a festival, you can always go around the corner and see the next piece of art.”
