*Dance Theatre*

*/A new vision of contemporary dance/*

Carlos Fittante-Artistic Director, Islene Pinder-Founding Director






*PRESS RELEASE*


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Luhrs & Associates, Publicist, 201-592-9126,
luhrsassocpress@verizon.net
Carlos Fittante, Artistic Director, 646-361-9183



*BALAM Dance Theatre to Perform Action Packed Hindu Epic *
*in Coalition of Asian-Pacific American's 30th Annual Asian/Pacific
American Heritage Festival*
_Free _Dance Event
May 3, 2009
at Dag Hasmmarskjold Plaza (47th Street and 2nd Avenue)


(New York, New York---April 14, 2009) -- BALAM Dance Theatre (BALAM)
will perform its signature work inspired from the Hindu epic --
/Ramayana-Abduction of Sita/ -- in the Coalition of Asian/Pacific
American's 30th annual Asian/Pacific American Heritage Festival in New
York City on Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 1:55 to 2:15. The free event,
from 12 to 6 p.m., is open to the public and will be presented at Dag
Hasmmarskjold Plaza (47th Street and 2nd Avenue).

BALAM, a New York City-based ensemble that creates a new vision of
contemporary dance by fusing Balinese theatre with diverse cultural
dance styles, is celebrating its 30th anniversary year. The
presentation of Ramayana-Abduction of Sita, a story ballet using fused
Balinese, ballet, Baroque, karate, and belly dance movements, is one of
several programs presented through the dance company's community
initiative, Out and About.

"The Ramayana, an ancient story told in literature, art and dance
throughout India and southeast Asia, is steeped in symbolism and
philosophical meaning. Its archetypal characters represent polarity,
consciousness and the interplay between light and darkness, as they
eventually awaken into a world of unity," said Carlos Fittante, artistic
director, BALAM Dance Theatre.

The featured dancers, appearing in Balinese inspired costumes and
dancing to gamelan music, are BALAM's definitive cast of Toshinori
Hamada, as Rahwana the evil demon; Robin Gilbert, as the radiant
princess Sita; and Carlos Fittante, as the noble prince Rama. BALAM's
action-packed piece highlights new choreographic segments for the
company's Balinese resident guest artist Nani Devi, as Dewi Mimpi (Angel
of the Dreams), and Shelley Lynne Cummins, back in her role as the
alluring, deceitful Golden Deer.

"Nani Devi's role represents the presence of the gods in guiding and
protecting the protagonists Rama and Sita. Her role as Dewi Mimpi
features her special qualities as BALAM's resident guest artist with
movements taken directly from classic Balinese dance vocabulary," said
Fittante.

The Coalition of Asian/Pacific Americans unites the Asian American
community in New York for a daylong celebration known as the annual
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Festival. Since its inception 30 years
ago, the annual Heritage Festival has become a growing sensation to
celebrate the diverse artistic and cultural experiences of Asian
Americans. For further information about the festival, go to
http://www.capaonline.org.

_*About BALAM*_
BALAM offers a new vision of contemporary dance that emanates from a
cutting-edge fusion of diverse cultural dance styles and movement
techniques. The company's fusion repertoire presents an opulent dance
theatre that blends contemporary choreography, eclectic music, striking
masks, imaginative props, and vibrant costumes to create a performance
that appeals to audiences of all ages and backgrounds.

Under the directorship of Spanish-American choreographer Carlos
Fittante, BALAM's fusion repertoire blends boldly divergent dance styles
and movements, including ballet, Spanish, Lester Horton, Baroque, Latin,
belly dance, Afro-Caribbean, hip-hop, Noh, and karate, as well as Balinese.

BALAM has been featured at several distinguished festivals and
venues, such as First Night New York; Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors; La
Mama Experimental Theatre, New York, New York; Jacob's Pillow Dance
Festival, Lee, Massachusetts; and many others. The company has also
appeared internationally at the Bali Arts Festival in Denpasar, Bali and
the 2nd Encuentro Internacíonal de Danza Contemporánea in Cancún, Mexico.

The company's work has received critical recognition from the New
York Times and Village Voice. The Governor and people of Bali and the
Indonesian Consulate of New York have highly commended its performances.

_Location_
Dag Hasmmarskjold Plaza (47th Street and 2nd Avenue).

_Photos available upon request._

(Publicity by Luhrs & Associates)

For further information, call 646-361-9183, or visit BALAM Dance
Theatre at www.balamdance.org.

###

*PRESS RELEASE*


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Luhrs & Associates, Publicist, 201-592-9126,
luhrsassocpress@verizon.net
Carlos Fittante, Artistic Director, 646-361-9183



*Robin Gilbert** to Perform Lead Role in Hindu Epic--Ramayan: Abduction
of Sita-- *
*in Coalition of Asian-Pacific American's 30th Annual Asian/Pacific
American Heritage Festival*
_Free _Dance Event
May 3, 2009
at Dag Hasmmarskjold Plaza (47th Street and 2nd Avenue)




(New York, New York---April 20, 2009) – Robin Gilbert will perform the
lead role of the beautiful princess Sita in BALAM Dance Theatre’s
(BALAM) signature work, the Hindu epic -- Ramayana-Abduction of Sita --
in the Coalition of Asian/Pacific American’s 30th annual Asian/Pacific
American Heritage Festival in New York City. Ms. Gilbert will perform
in a Balinese inspired costume and dance to gamelan music with the
company’s other members on Sunday, May 3, 2009 from 1:55 to 2:15. The
_free_ event, 12 to 6 p.m., is open to the public at Dag Hasmmarskjold
Plaza (47th Street and 2nd Avenue).

BALAM, a New York City-based ensemble that creates a new vision of
contemporary dance by fusing Balinese theatre with diverse cultural
dance styles, is celebrating its 30th anniversary year. The
presentation of Ramayana-Abduction of Sita, a story ballet using fused
Balinese, ballet, Baroque, karate, and belly dance movements, is one of
several programs presented through the dance company’s community
initiative, Out and About.

“The Ramayana, an ancient story told in literature, art and dance
throughout India and southeast Asia, is steeped in symbolism and
philosophical meaning. Its archetypal characters represent polarity,
consciousness and the interplay between light and darkness, as they
eventually awaken into a world of unity,” said Carlos Fittante, artistic
director, BALAM Dance Theatre.

The featured dancers are BALAM’s definitive cast of Toshinori Hamada, as
Rahwana the evil demon; Robin Gilbert, as the beautiful princess Sita;
and Carlos Fittante, as the noble prince Rama. BALAM's action-packed
piece highlights new choreographic segments for the company's Balinese
resident guest artist Nani Devi, as Dewi Mimpi (Angel of the Dreams),
and Shelley Lynne Cummins, back in her role as the alluring, deceitful
Golden Deer.
_
About Robin Gilbert_
Robin Gilbert has helped define BALAM’s Balinese/ballet fusion by
combining the earthiness of Balinese dance with the etherealness of
ballet’s point work. In 1991, she debuted in the role, Raka Froggy from
“Animal Wedding”, dancing on point while wearing a wooden Balinese
mask. She has studied and performed in Bali with the renowned Semara
Ratih Gamelan.

Ms. Gilbert began her dance training in Cleveland, Ohio and later
graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts. Her performance
career includes dancing with New American Ballet Ensemble, Connecticut
Ballet Theatre, Dallas Ballet, and Anglo-American Ballet. Ms. Gilbert,
whose performances have been seen in musical theatre, industrial shows,
opera, commercials, and videos, has also worked with prominent
choreographers such as Ann Reinking. She is also a drummer with the
Long Island rock group, The Generators.

_
Location_
Dag Hasmmarskjold Plaza (47th Street and 2nd Avenue).

_Photos available upon request._

(Publicity by Luhrs & Associates)

For further information, call 646-361-9183, or visit BALAM Dance Theatre
at www.balamdance.org.

its awsssummm like my mini i l0ved that