Rinat Mouzafarov's Institute of Ballet has hosted Ballet Magnificat! in Minot before, but this year the country's premier Christian ballet company is presenting something special.
"We had planned to have them here this year, but with the flood we weren't sure we could manage it, so we called them to cancel," Mouzafarov said. "They understood, but then called back a few hours later and offered the performance to Minot for free. This is amazing."
Not only will the two shows have no admission charge, any freewill offerings will be donated to the Minot Area Recovery Fund.
Saturday's performance will open at 7 p.m. with students of Mouzafarov's dancing some numbers they have presented before from "Hatikva."
"This means 'Hope,'" Mouzafarov said. "We're doing the Tambourine Dance and Come to the River. Audiences received them well when we did this before."
The visiting troupe then performs "Ruth" based on the Bible's "Book of Ruth." Dancing the entre'acte, students aged 3 to 20 will be performing from "Glory."
'Deliver Us'
Then on Sunday at 3 p.m., Ashton Cassim, a 12-year-old Minoter, joins the Ballet Magnificat! in "Deliver Us" in the role of Pharoah's son, again following dancing by the Institute.
"The Ballet Magnificat is not just giving us these performances for free," said Ashleigh Collins, volunteer with the Institute. "They will be giving three days of classes at $20 per student and these are normally $150 classes.
"The whole community is helping us financially to bring this together, with restaurants giving food and hotels, families and volunteers giving housing to the dancers," she added. "It's just amazing how this is all coming together."
While the local students are being exposed to visiting teachers, Mouzafarov will be giving master classes to the visiting dancers.
"I had one of them here this spring for special classes," he noted. "It is good for my students to have other teachers besides me, to see other styles and techniques."
There are still slots available, and interested parties can call 837-0239 or send e-mail to RMCBCfloodbenefit@gmail.com to register.
Performances are at Ann Nicole Nelson Hall at Minot State University, and classes will be held at the Institute and Studio X A New Generation in Dance.