– Nashville-based band Sugar and the Hi Lows, who recently performed their renditions of classic Johnny Cash songs at Nashville Ballet’s Attitude series, will present a repeat performance at the upcoming silver anniversary of Ballet Ball 2014 on March 8 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Sugar and the Hi Lows will perform an excerpt from Attitude while Nashville Ballet company dancers perform original choreography by company dancer Christopher Stuart. This is the second entertainer announced to perform at the black tie gala.
In 2012, singer-songwriters Amy Stroup and Trent Dabbs brought their musical talents together, forming Sugar and the Hi Lows. Their first, self-titled album was released in 2012 and their songs have found life on multiple television programs including Nashville, Heart of Dixie and Grey’s Anatomy, as well as in national ad campaigns for Zales and Belk. Sugar and the Hi Lows also recently announced a US tour with indie-pop singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson this spring.
“Working with Nashville Ballet and bringing our songs and Johnny Cash’s music to life was one of the most unique and artistically gratifying experiences,” said Amy Stroup of Sugar and the Hi Lows. “We loved collaborating with them and watching their unique vision for Attitude unfold. We’re excited to have the opportunity for an encore performance at Ballet Ball and support Nashville Ballet, and the arts in Nashville, in their fundraising efforts.”
In addition to Sugar and the Hi Lows, previously announced country music superstar Kellie Pickler will also perform at Ballet Ball. Nashville Ballet Artistic Director & CEO, Paul Vasterling created original choreography to Pickler’s songs from her recently released and critically acclaimed album, The Woman I Am. Pickler – who wowed audiences as a contestant on season five of American Idol and has recorded four albums dominating the country charts since 2006 – discovered her love of dance as a contestant on season 16 of Dancing with the Stars, and proved her talent by taking home the Mirror Ball Trophy, the show’s highest honor.
“We had such a wonderful experience working with Trent and Amy for Attitude, and they received such a show of public support during the performance that we knew they would be a great addition to Ballet Ball,” said Vasterling. “Trent, Amy and Kellie are helping us achieve our goal of collaborating with as many talented Nashville artists as possible. They help us introduce ballet to new audiences, and hopefully we can introduce some new fans to their music at the same time.”
Tickets for the main Ball are by invitation only. However, younger arts patrons can purchase tickets to the Ballet Ball’s Late Party, which features cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and a seat at the performance. Late Party tickets are $125 per person and go on sale to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 15. Tickets can be purchased at www.bblateparty.com
This unique, one-time-only performance continues Vasterling’s passion for collaborating with local artists as often as possible. Other recent partnerships with Nashville musicians include The Band Perry, Ben Folds, The Civil Wars, Matthew Perryman Jones and Holly Williams.
The 2014 black tie gala also marks Ballet Ballet’s silver anniversary. For 25 years, Ballet Ball has provided necessary funding for Nashville Ballet’s Outreach & Education Program, which introduces the art of dance to more than 30,000 children and families throughout Nashville and the surrounding area each year.
This year’s Ballet Ball co-chairs, Mrs. Ralph W. Davis, Jr. and Mrs. Frederic W. Reisner, combine their passion for Nashville Ballet with their dedicated leadership in the community and previous event experience to plan the highly anticipated event.
For more information about Ballet Ball and to purchase tickets to the Late Party, please visit our website at http://www.nashvilleballet.com/support/ballet_ball or https://www.facebook.com/BalletBallNashville
About Nashville Ballet
Nashville Ballet is the largest professional ballet company in Tennessee. Nashville Ballet presents a varied repertoire of classical ballet and contemporary works by noted choreographers, including original works by Artistic Director & CEO Paul Vasterling. Nashville Ballet and the second company NB2 (a pre-professional training company) serve nearly 60,000 adults and children annually through performances and our outreach and community engagement programming. Curriculum-based outreach programs bring dance education to community centers, colleges, public libraries and public elementary, middle and high schools across the state. The School of Nashville Ballet provides world-class instruction in ballet and other forms of dance for dancers of all ages.
Nashville Ballet is funded in part by Ingram Charitable Trust, Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission, Tennessee Arts Commission, Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund, The Shubert Foundation, Caterpillar Financial, ELAN Hair and Skin, The Memorial Foundation, Publix Super Market Charities, The HCA Foundation, The Mall at Green Hills and thousands of individuals who contribute to our annual operating fund.
About Kellie Pickler
Kellie Pickler grew up immersed in country music in the small town of Albemarle, North Carolina with the words of Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Dolly Parton shaping her musical footing. At the age of 19, she gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of “American Idol.” In 2006, she signed with 19 Recordings/BNA Records and released her debut album, Small Town Girl, which has gone on to sell more than 800,000 copies worldwide and produce three hit singles: “Red High Heels,” “I Wonder,” and “Things That Never Cross a Man’s Mind.” She followed that in 2008 with her self-titled sophomore record, featuring country radio hits “Don’t You Know You’re Beautiful,” “Best Days of Your Life” (co-written with Taylor Swift and her first Top 10), and “Didn’t You Know How Much I Loved You.” Having established herself as not only a powerful vocalist but also a songwriter, Pickler released her third studio album, 100 Proof, in 2011 to huge critical acclaim. The album was named the No. 1 Country Album of The Year by Rolling Stone and was listed on “Best of 2012” lists by Washington Post, Rhapsody, AOL’s The Boot and more. In spring of 2013, Pickler partnered with dance coach Derek Hough and won the Mirror Ball Trophy on “Dancing with the Stars.” On Nov. 11, 2013, Pickler released her new album, The Woman I Am, on her new label home, Black River Entertainment. The album, which has received much critical acclaim, contains her current hit single “Little Bit Gypsy” and her first single, “Someone Somewhere Tonight.” The video of that song (featuring Pickler and Hough) was nominated for an American Country Award for Music Video of the Year: Female. Pickler is also an avid supporter of the U.S. military, having recently completed her seventh USO Tours in December 2013. For more information, please visit www.kelliepickler.com.
About Sugar and the Hi Lows
In 2012, Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup released a self-titled band project called Sugar & The Hi-Lows. Billboard magazine called the project 'Sweet Stuff,” while USA Today said, 'the only thing better than the bluesy, garage-rock guitars is Trent Dabbs and Amy Stroup's vocal chemistry.' Their songs have found life on multiple television shows including Nashville, Hart of Dixie, and Grey's Anatomy as well as national ad campaigns for such for brands such as Zales and Belk. Sugar & The Hi-Lows is currently recording and gearing up for a 2014 spring tour opening for indie-pop singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson. For more information, visit www.sugarandthehilows.com or www.facebook.com/SugarandTheHilows.