Bangor Ballet to present special ‘Evening in Paris’ Production at Husson to highlight spring exchange with France, appearance by mime Karen Montanaro

BANGOR – Bangor Ballet has announced its third annual Evening at the Arts to be held Jan. 5 at Husson College. The program’s theme, “An Evening in Paris,” reflects the ballet’s international cultural exchange to France, planned for April.

“An Evening in Paris,” hosted by WABI-TV’s Catherine Pegram, will consist of a social hour at 6 p.m., dinner catered by Ann Marie’s Kitchen, and entertainment.

Bangor Ballet will present the short ballet “An American in Paris,” choreographed by Artistic Director Ivy Clear-Forrest; a traditional French can-can; and a lyrical interpretation of music by Celine Dion.

“An Evening in Paris” also will include a special presentation by award-winning dance-mime artist and Portland Ballet principal dancer Karen Montanaro.

Tickets for “An Evening in Paris” are $45 a person and and are available through Wednesday, Jan. 2, at Thomas School of Dance, 14 State St. Call 945-3457 for more information.

Dancers who will perform on Jan. 5, most of whom plan to go to France, are:

. Bangor: Kelsey-Lynn Briggs, Hilarie Blunt, Tommy McCarthy and Antonia Carroll.

. Brewer: Rachel Caron, Shannon Dapice.

. Bucksport: Elizabeth Nesluhan.

. Dedham: Hallie Semmel.

. Eddington: Brooke Black.

. Glenburn: Erin Norris.

. Hampden: Katie Clark and Abby True.

. Hermon: Ariel Eaton, August Eaton.

. Orono: Sarah Bishop and Annalies Ross-Dyjak.

. Pittsfield: Amelia Lorde-Linde.

. Veazie: Alex Michaud.

. Verona Island: Michelle Birmingham.

In France, Bangor Ballet will perform “The Little Mermaid,” a full-length ballet conceived and choreographed by Heinrick Snyder of the Bangor Ballet. It was originally performed in 2006 in Bangor.

The dancers will perform it in Maine in March, then will take the ballet in April to Vendome, France.

They will incorporate French dancers from the host dance families into the ballet. The school in France is called Danse d’Expression, and the ballet instructor heading the exchange is Emily Bragg, daughter of Jane Bragg, president of the Bangor Ballet Board, and Dr. Frank Bragg.

Emily Bragg, who lives in Vendome with her husband, danced in the Bangor Ballet’s very first production of “Cinderella” as Cinderella in 1994. She is a psychiatric nurse and ballet instructor.