Houston Ballet's New Home, Center for Dance

Ballet has always been a form of dance that has intrigued, entertained and enticed (now even more so with the popularity of the movie The Black Swan), which is why the Houston Ballet has grown leaps and bounds since it first started in 1969. Today the Houston Ballet has a company of 53 dancers making it the fourth largest ballet company in the United States.

With growth comes positive change which is why the Houston Ballet is moving from its current home in River Oaks to the Center for Dance in downtown Houston (in the theatre district). The new building have 115,000 square feet and six floors - more than double their current space.

"This building is a tangible symbol of the city of Houston's passionate commitment to the arts. And it will cement Houston's reputation as an international center for the performing and visual arts," said Jesse H. Jones II, co-chairman of the capital campaign and a longtime trustee of Houston Ballet Foundation.

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Join Mayor Annise Parker on Saturday, April 9^th, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. for the ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome Houston Ballet's new downtown home, Center for Dance. The public will also be treated to a free ballet performance. Center for Dance is located at 601 Preston Street (at Smith Street), Houston, TX, 77002.

Eco-Friendly Design
Gensler, the architecture firm who designed Center for Dance, created an energy efficient building by using natural light to reduce energy consumption. With clever methods like daylight harvesting, the light fixtures will automatically adjust to the amount of sunlight that comes through during the day. There are even light sensors that dim when the rooms are vacant.

More "green" initiatives include studios that face west and automated blinds that lower as the afternoon sun increases. Even recycled materials were used (e.g. reclaimed walnut, furniture). A point was made to use low water landscaping on the grounds, and the air conditioning was zoned to maximize energy efficiency.

Hike and Bike Trail
In an effort to encourage people to exercise and use less fuel consumption by driving, Gensler worked closely with the Buffalo Bayou Partnership to link the Center for Dance to a future hike and bike trail along the bayou's bank.

Education
The Center for Dance will allow the Houston Ballet's education and outreach programs to reach more students from a broader section of Houston's population. The academy associate director and head of the education and outreach department, Shelly Power, hopes to reach a whopping 30,000 students by 2015.

Shows
This season classics such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella, Taming of the Shrew, and Romeo and Juliet will be performed so be sure to buy your tickets early.

To learn more about the Houston Ballet (including ticket and schedule information) visit Houstonballet.org.