Art exhibits and Galleries are not the only entertainment that pulls us into the City's cultural districts. "An Evening with the Stars" will take place at the Murat Theatre in downtown Indianapolis. This Inaugural Event is set to launch the Indianapolis City Ballet onto the city on Saturday, September 12 of this year (2009).

"The evening will feature some of the finest ballet artists dancing today," said John Meehan, Artistic Chairman of ICB. "It will showcase the technique and artistry of these stunning, international guest artists and the imagination and creativity of some the world's finest choreographers." Meehan also said, "This evening will have its eyes firmly set on the future with brilliant young dancers performing fresh and imaginative, mostly 20th century repertory."

The line-up of dancers for this evening has been announced and the ICB has really caught the attention of the cultural districts with its highly acclaimed performers. At September's performance one can see stellar dancers like Alicia Amatriain from the Stuttgart Ballet, Anastasia Matvienko from Mikhailovsky Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Miguel Quinones with the Parsons Dance Company. Robert Hesse, chairman of the Indianapolis City Ballet stated "These professional dancers are among the most brilliant stars today."

Kevin Hesse, producer of the event stated, "An Evening with the Starts will put Indianapolis back on the international cultural dance scene and unite the internationally recognized guest artists in a gala-style evening of dance surprises with ballet performances from classical to contemporary for all to enjoy."

General admission seats for ICB's first performance ($25-$65) are available at www.murat.com. For more information about the dancers or to read about the program, visit the website www.indianapoliscityballet.org

The City of Indianapolis may not be known for being the ballet capital of the country, but there are more opportunities and performances going on in this city then most know exist. The ballet is a lot like going to the opera, you love it or you hate it, but you should always appreciate it and support it in your city. Arts are a vital part of our cultural education and the prestige that Indianapolis is beginning to gain in the country for having some of the best opportunities in the arts world and the ballet is making its presence known in the city.

The new Indianapolis City Ballet will be seeking to unite and strengthen the arts community as it introduces its style on the City's cultural scene. Founded with a philosophy that more dance is good for everyone, it is promising to hear the already existing Companies; The Russian Ballet Academy of Indiana and The Indiana Ballet Company, which provides four professional performances throughout the year, will feature "Phantom of the Opera", opening at the Madame Walker Theater on October 23-24, 30-31, 2009. www.indianaballetcompany.com We also have the Indianapolis School of Ballet that will also be performing on Saturday, September 12, at 1pm at the Penrod Art Fair on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. www.indyballet.org