Post-Ida, Roxey Ballet Performing Showcase To Rise, Rebuild Dance Space

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ — After the studios, office, and blackbox theater of Roxey Ballet were destroyed in the devastation from Hurricane Ida's remnants, the dance company is performing in a new fundraiser to bounce back and keep producing work.

On Dec. 19 at 1 p.m., the company will perform in Rise: A Dinner Show & Fundraiser Event at the New Hope Eagle Fire Hall, a space which has been made available to support their work. As well as an evening of beautiful performances, the event will feature dinner and drinks by renowned Chef Marc Shirer, who was named "Chef of the Year" in 1999.

Tickets are $50 per person, and $25 for ages 13 and under.

"Flood water completely destroyed our space," representatives wrote in a GoFundMe which has raised $30,267 in donations to date. "Just as we were recovering from Covid-19, rehiring dancers, and planning on a full season of in-person and virtual performances and education programs."

Roxey Ballet has been a Lambertville institution for 27 years. The company prides itself on "providing dance in every capacity with thought provoking, insightful and entertaining productions, education programs and residencies for the handicapped, special needs, and under privileged including a community refuge for students and adults alike — a place to call home."

The New Hope Eagle Fire Department allowed the ballet company to establish a temporary studio space after their displacement. But it's not a permanent solution, and this fundraising event will contribute to rebuilding their permanent dance space.

The Dec. 19 event includes special performances by members of Roxey Ballet, trainees, alumni and special guests, according to an article in New Jersey Stage. Evening presentations include:

• Oh Holy Night
• Musical Performance by Deborah Troy
• Special Performance by Choreographer Doug Elkins
• Balloons: Ella Hyatt and Elena Tawa
• Bitter and Sweet: Pinja Sinisalo & Teryn Trent
• Reborn: Elena Tawa
• Alumni Performance by Katie Messina
• Flying Home: Ella Hyatt
• Love Answers All: Pinja Sinisalo and Diego Pulido

Learn more on the Roxey Ballet website.

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