Farm to Ballet returns

BRATTLEBORO - After a two-year hiatus, Farm to Ballet returns to Retreat Farm to celebrate the rich farming culture of Vermont on Saturday, July 10, at 6 pm. With dancers dressed as lettuce, goats, pigs, and cows, this whimsical outdoor ballet is sure to delight all ages. Set on a grassy stage, the full-length ballet is an artful expression of farming, food, and our connection to the land through dance.
The production by Ballet Vermont, which travels to farms across Vermont, opens on Saturday at Retreat Farm and features two dancers with strong connections to Brattleboro.
Megan Gendell, principal dancer with Ballet Vermont, recently moved back to the state to coach at New England Center for Circus Arts after moving away to pursue her professional career as an international circus artist. Gendell is the first female dancer to take on the lead role of the Weathervane/Rooster in Farm to Ballet.
Kaitlyn Hayes, a dancer with Portland Ballet, will be dancing the lead role of the Farmer. After the weather cancelation of the performance in 2019, Hayes, whose mother lives in Brattleboro, is looking forward to finally performing in front of her family on Saturday.
Doors open at 4:30 pm. Come early and visit animals on pasture, walk the Hope Garden labyrinth, explore the forest playground, and discover the historic interpretive path and creative play areas. Dosa Kitchen and Jamaican Jewelz will be serving up local food truck fare. Local craft brews, wine, and cider will be available from Retreat Farm’s Thirsty Goat pop-up bar, or grab a fresh-squeezed lemonade or cold brew coffee from Cattail Coffee. Make sure to leave room for a Vermont-made maple creemee from the Farmhouse Creemee stand.
This year, the show is a fundraiser for Retreat Farm’s Community Food Project, which helps alleviate hunger in the region by growing and distributing fresh food. Ticket prices are available on a sliding scale so that this community event remains affordable to everyone.
For more information, tickets, and other upcoming events visit www.retreatfarm.org.