Staff Reports | Happenings & Events
Ballet Arizona’s annual “Ballet Under the Stars,” presented by the Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation, returns Sept. 18–27 with performances at six locations across the Valley.
This free, family-friendly event is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of ballet under the open sky and an ideal introduction to the art form for young audiences. This year’s “Ballet Under the Stars” will include excerpts from both contemporary and classic ballets.
Audiences will get to experience Robert Bondara’s captivating, “Take Me With You,” set to recorded music by the alternative rock band Radiohead. In addition, Ballet Arizona will present two works by Artistic Director Daniela Cardim: “Nocturne,” a beautiful duet adorned by Frederic Chopin’s “Nocturne No. 13” as well as an excerpt from “The Sleeping Beauty,” which will grace the stage in full later this fall.
Since its inception in 1997, these performances provide an evening of fun for audiences of all ages. Guests bring chairs, blankets and picnics to experience the beauty of dance in outdoor parks across Maricopa county. Ballet Arizona invites Arizonans to delight in a spectacular evening showcasing excerpts from a range of ballets, offering a vibrant portrayal of the art form’s diversity.
Attracting more than 9,000 viewers annually, Ballet Arizona welcomes Arizonans to experience dance in their community in a unique outdoor setting complete with a professional stage, lighting and costumes. Event goers can indulge in local food trucks and enjoy ample space for picnicking or for aspiring young dancers to move along with the performance.
“We are excited to begin the 2025-2026 season with an inspiring program like ‘Ballet Under the Stars,’” said Artistic Director Daniela Cardim, in a prepared statement.
“This program offers Arizonans a unique chance to experience the enchantment of ballet under the night sky, surrounded by family and friends, in their own neighborhoods. Ballet Under the Stars has been a cherished tradition for thousands of attendees each year, and we are honored to once again bring these free performances to audiences across the Valley.”
