Ballet West is returning to the Red Butte Garden with performances back by popular demand, featuring internationally-recognized chorographer Gerald Arpino, alongside choreography by rising star Caili Quan. With its world premiere at Ballet West in June and an invitation to perform at the Kennedy Center a few weeks later, Quan’s Play on Impulse garnered rave reviews.

“An utter delight to watch, Quan fuses intricate walking patterns with rhythmic bursts of intensity, set to popular songs from a range of rock and pop artists such as The Velvet Underground, Deee-Lite, and Bjork,” according to Broadway World. “…this new work, which premiered earlier this month, will prove popular and be produced by other companies in short order.”

The program also includes two pieces by the late Gerald Arpino; Light Rain, a fusion of eastern and western music that capitalizes on the sensuality and elasticity of company dancers, and excerpts from his Kettentanz, an exciting classical suite of dances to the Polka’s Waltzes, and Gallops of Johann Straus Sr. and Johannes Mayer performed by members of Ballet West II.

“Red Butte is a wonderful community event in a casual, outdoor setting surrounded by the beauty and nature of Salt Lake,” says Artistic Director Adam Sklute. “Our programming is designed to move brightly along, giving the audience a flavor to the new and more contemporary works we do, but also the classic repertoire that is our backbone. It’s a diverse spectrum of works designed to give audiences, young and old, a joyous outdoor experience of art.

Prior to the performance, a reception will be held at 6:30 p.m. with the opportunity to meet Artistic Director Adam Sklute and Executive Director Michael Scolamiero. The event will also include food, drink and preferred seating starting at $100 per person.

Learn more about Ballet West and purchase tickets here.