Festival Ballet Providence (FBP) will open its doors to parents and their children for perfect winter vacation activities, including rehearsals, to have an inside look into what it takes to be a professional dancer, and special classes for little and not-so-little vacationers. Admission is $10.

On Tuesday, Feb. 19, and Thursday, Feb. 21, children from ages 2-1/2 to 5 are invited to take a special Music and Movement class with Maryanne Mayer, the director of FBP’s school, and Richard Derry, who will accompany the class live with the great sounds of his guitar. Kids have a chance to join in with Richard on all kinds of percussion instruments during the class. This is a great way to get your kids excited about rhythm and movement. 

On Wednesday, Feb. 20, Friday, Feb. 22, and Saturday, Feb. 23, intermediate dancers can come to a class taught by one of the members of FBP’s artistic staff, including Misha Djuric, artistic director. From 9:30 to 11 a.m.

Then, from 11:30-12:30, everyone is invited to stay to observe the company in rehearsal for the upcoming productions, Agon and Orchis, taking place March 8-10, at The Vets. Agon is one of the most perfect, abstract, neoclassical ballets that George Balanchine (artistic director for years of the New York City Ballet and one of the world’s most revered choreographers) with music by Igor Stravinsky. Depicting confict and resolution between forms of dance, movement and shape, Agon aligns perfectly with Viktor Plotnikov’s Orchis. This newest work by Plotnikov is in collaboration with composer Sonya Belousova, and acclaimed Rhode Islander’s, glass artist Toots Zynsky and photographer Cemal Ekin. The rehearsals will be rigorous and tremendously informative.

After class, everyone receives a coupon courtesy of Seven Stars Bakery to enjoy a free cup of coffee. Seven Stars is located right across the street from FBP, on Hope Street.

Sponsors: The 2012-2013 season of Festival Ballet Providence is made possible with support from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts. NBC10 is the media sponsor of this, the 35^th season.

For additional information about Festival Ballet Providence and the production visit www.festivalballet.com.