PLEASE HELP SAVE 

THE OREGON BALLET THEATRE!

RIGHT NOW (as in they might be forced to shut their doors at the end of this month) OBT is absolutely struggling to meet their financial demands as attendance and donations have dropped off dramatically in the flailing economy, see the article here in the Oregonian.  

A little background:  As some of you know, Celeste and I met in ballet class when I was 11 and she was 13 and have been friends ever since.  We were both principal dancers in the Northwest Ballet Company for several years, and performed on stage together more times than I can count (I'm even getting married on that stage in one month!).  Celeste continued to perform and teach throughout college at Lewis & Clark, while I pursued a degree in Dance performance from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.  I stayed in California to be the Assistant Artistic Director and Principal Dancer of Meh-tropolis Dance Theatre for another three years after graduation and have been dancing since I was 2 years old.  So... you could say that this particular issue is extremely close to our hearts.

PORTLAND NEEDS A PROFESSIONAL BALLET COMPANY!!!  I simply can't say it enough, or with enough enthusiasm, but this city is making it's mark in the arts world in music and film and has a phenomenal independent dance scene.  They will ALL suffer greatly with the fall of our classical staple.  Have you ever taken a child to 'The Nutcracker' during the holidays?  The look in their sweet faces, the inspiration, the awe, the wonder, and the sheer joy should be reason enough to click here and sign up for season passes (Psst... or you can email us, info @ radishunderground . com and we'll direct you to a special deal for unbelievable season tickets).  If the season isn't in your budget, I would highly recommend attending the benefit concert happening at the Keller on June 12th, click here for tickets.  The cream of the crop in the dance world is coming to Portland to show their support of OBT and the show will be incredible:  NYC Ballet, SF Ballet, Boston Ballet, The Joffery, Trey McIntyre Project, Ballet West, just to name a few... and some rumors floating about of Mikhail Baryshnikov himself coming to show support! 

If you're not into ballet, that's fair.  But consider the art that you do love and how important it is to keep that spirit alive, and please make a donation of ANY amount (it all helps!) by clicking here.  THANK YOU!!!