Municipal Ballet Co. will present “A Collection of Beauties,” an original ballet production, April 13th and 14th, 2019 at Ember in Salt Lake City.

Municipal Ballet Co. director Sarah Longoria was inspired to create this ballet upon hearing local band Matteo’s album, “The Sichuan Project,” which was recorded while band members were studying abroad in China. The music is hauntingly beautiful and showcases the familiar sounds of traditional Chinese instruments, while retaining a modern American feel. “A Collection of Beauties” takes place in an imagined tea house and bar that might exist today on Salt Lake City’s Plum Alley, if the buildings that comprised the city’s Chinatown were not destroyed in the 1950’s and replaced by a parking garage.

Although Municipal Ballet Co. has become known for having live musicians perform alongside the dancers, “A Collection of Beauties” will be accompanied by the recorded music of Matteo, as not all of its band members still live in Utah. Audience members at this performance will receive complimentary tea, and will be able to purchase snacks and drinks at the bar, which will also serve as part of the set for the ballet.

Municipal Ballet Co. was founded in 2012 and the company became a nonprofit organization in 2016. Municipal Ballet Co.’s mission is to promote a ballet culture that encourages a compassionate, adventurous and collaborative approach to developing the art, with the intention of sharing it generously with all people.

There will be an After-Party Fundraiser immediately following Saturday night’s performance, where a $5 entry fee will allow guests to be entered into an opportunity drawing for great prizes, dance to Municipal Ballet Company members’ favorite dance tunes, and enjoy more drinks and snacks from the bar. All proceeds from this event will go toward the general operating expenses of Municipal Ballet Co.