West Hartford Library Gets a Special Visit from Connecticut Ballet

A Bob Fosse look emerged among the books at West Hartford's on Tuesday as dancers from the Connecticut Ballet did a special performance for children on spring break.

Five professional dancers in bowler hats and tuxedos delighted a crowd of about 30 children and their parents in an outreach performance sponsored by the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Children were able to watch the dancers, try a few moves of their own, as well as hear a story read to them by Artistic Director Brett Raphael.

Raphael said the appearance was to "build audience, awareness and support" for the ballet company's 30th anniversary year.

"West Hartford is an important community for us," Raphael said. The company previously worked with of West Hartford in staging a version of "The Nutcracker" at Saint Joseph College.

Connecticut Ballet will hold an anniversary celebration this Saturday, April 21, at 8:30 p.m. at the Belding Theater at The Bushnell in Hartford. In addition to its corps, the company will have two special guest artists: Ashley Bouder of New York City Ballet and Yonah Acosta, an acclaimed Cuban dancer who is making his U.S. debut with Connecticut Ballet.

"It's really going to be exciting," Raphael said.

For more information about Connecticut Ballet, which is based in Hartford and Stamford, visit the company's website or Facebook page.