On Sunday, February 25th, at 7:00 p.m., Golden Sessions by Julianna Rubio Slager returns to Chicago for a one night only performance at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture. Ballet 5:8 will join Provision Theater for a special C.S. Lewis weekend and will host a pre-show TalkBack with Lewis experts. Inspired by C.S. Lewis' timeless exploration of love in "Four Loves,'' Golden Sessions transports you to a world where love takes center stage and challenges you to explore the depths of this universal emotion.
Featuring a moving score by acclaimed composers John Adams, Oliver Davis, and Ezio Bosso, Golden Sessions breathes life into the intricate nuances of love through its exquisite classical choreography. The cast's exceptional performances create a synergy of music, movement, and emotion, leaving audiences deeply moved and inspired.
Embark on a transformative journey through the four distinct types of love: affection, friendship, romance, and charity. Golden Sessions challenges you to explore the depths and complexities of this universal emotion, touching your heart and expanding your understanding.
“This season of life has drawn out what we truly value in relationships. Each one is a reminder of the sweat, the tears and the hard-earned privilege of just moving forward. Precious moments with loved ones, those sessions, have begun to take on a golden hue in my memory. They’re hard, yes, but they’re treasured.” - Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager on Golden Sessions
TICKET INFORMATION
Ballet 5:8 presents Golden Session at the Athenaeum Center for Thought and Culture on February 25th at 7:00 p.m. Tiered single tickets are available ranging from $15-$35 and available online at Golden Sessions - Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture.
ABOUT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR JULIANNA RUBIO SLAGER
Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director, Co-Founder, and Chicano Resident Choreographer Julianna Rubio Slager studied under notable teachers from New York City Ballet, the Vaganova Academy, and Puerto Rican National Ballet. Rubio Slager enjoyed dancing under Barbara Smith at Greater Lansing Ballet and also under Kathy Thibodeaux and Sol Maisonet at Ballet Magnificat. Rubio Slager co-founded Ballet 5:8 in 2012 and is known for her unique ability to engage audiences in discussions of life and faith through exquisite choreography. As one of the few Mexican American Artistic Directors and Resident Choreographers, Rubio Slager is a groundbreaking representation empowering minority women to command space in the professional ballet scene. In 2023, Rubio Slager was awarded the coveted position of National Visiting Fellow at the School of American Ballet and was a finalist for the Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artists Program.
Over the past decade, Rubio Slager has dedicated herself to training and mentoring young artists at School of Ballet 5:8’s Pre-Professional, Conservatory, and Trainee programs. Students from School of Ballet 5:8 have been awarded contracts, scholarships, and placements with world-class dance companies, colleges, and schools across the country testifying to the unmatched quality of dance education Rubio Slager provides.
ABOUT BALLET 5:8
Ballet 5:8 is a female and minority-led premiere ballet company recognized for remarkable artistic excellence, innovation, technical precision, and beauty. Mexican American Artistic Director Julianna Rubio Slager creates original and dynamic ballet experiences drawing from life, faith, current events, and diverse perspectives that tell relevant stories of the 21st century. Rubio Slager brings to life ballets that are relatable and accessible to all people, delighting both the seasoned balletomane and the first time audience. For more information about Ballet 5:8, visit www.Ballet58.org and connect on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.