[Interview] Meet Professional Dancer Xavier Núñez

Photo Credit: The Joffrey Ballet/ Todd Rosenberg

BTSCelebs was recently given the opportunity to interview award-winning dancer Xavier Núñez!

He is one of the gifted dancers who officially joined The Joffrey Ballet this season. Xavier is best known for being a part of prestigious companies like American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, The Tulsa Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet and performing in several classics such as “The Sleeping Beauty”, “The Nutcracker”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Cinderella”.

Let’s take a look at his exclusive interview now.

BTSCelebs: Describe yourself in a few sentences.

Xavier Núñez: I am a young creative mind doing what I love most. Passionate about dance and short filmmaking. Between dance, freelance media content creation, and school: I live a busy life. I love to be surrounded by my family and friends, even if it’s only a video call at times. 

How did you get interested in ballet?

I started like most young boys…doing a different style of dance. I thought I would be doing more hip hop and jazz, but little did I know I was in a school that focused on ballet. I never loved it, in fact, I quit for a year in high school.  I eventually returned to it because I missed my friends. Upon returning we had a new male ballet master. Through him, I was shown the male role in ballet and I finally fell in love with dance. A life in tights isn’t as girly as I thought. 

 Why did you choose to be a part of The Joffrey Ballet?

I have been a part of multiple companies now and have had a taste of what is out there. I knew what I was looking for. Since my first audition at The Joffrey Ballet, I knew I found something special. Besides the repertoire and reputation that The Joffrey Ballet holds in the dance world, it has an incredible work environment. A place that is fun and makes you happy to be part of is something I saw from the beginning. 

Tell us about one unforgettable experience you’ve had in Chicago since you’ve joined Joffrey.

Starting the season off with creating a brand-new piece by Yuri Possokhov will always be an unforgettable moment. To be part of something new and to be part of the creative process is an amazing experience. It’s rare that you get to input ideas into new works and have an impact on how a piece turns out. 

 If you had the chance to choreograph one Broadway show, what show would it be? Why would you choose this particular production?

If I could choreograph one Broadway show, it would be Singing in the Rain! It came from a time where there were huge dance stars such as Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and one of my favorites, Donald O’Connor. They made dance cool, and each had a way to make the moves look easy, calm, and fun to watch. 

Which show from Joffrey’s upcoming season are you looking forward to the most?

I am looking forward to ‘Swan Lake’. It’s such a classic. Opening the season with this well-known ballet is a treat.

 Many people are excited for the new season. Please give us one word you think best describes The Joffrey Ballet’s 2018-2019 season. 

Vibrant

A Special Thanks to Xavier Núñez, The Silverman Group and The Joffrey Ballet for the exclusive interview and image. 

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4th Ave Continues Tour This Winter

4th Ave promises a fun-filled 2019!

Recently, the R&B boy band announced the dates for their 2nd tour across the US. January and Februrary will be much brighter for cities like Seattle,  Portland, Oklahoma City, Des Moines and more.

Check out the complete list in the photo above.

All the best to them in the new year!

All rights to image belongs to 4th Ave

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A&A Ballet’s “The Art Deco Nutcracker” is Coming to Chicago

“The Art Deco Nutcracker” opens next month, and A&A Ballet is sharing all the details!

According to an official press release from A&A Ballet and Carol Fox & Associates, the shows will be held in Chicago’s Studebaker Theatre from November 30th thru December 2nd. This year’s talented cast stars Katherine Williams,  Aran Bell, Michael Sayre, A&A Ballet’s company founders Anna Reznik and Alexei Kremnev , Grace Curry and “a record-setting 175 dancers on stage at once.”

“Set in 1920s America, Kremnev’s ‘The Art Deco Nutcracker,’  featuring Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, is a fresh, yet traditional take on the beloved holiday favorite.”

“‘The Art Deco Nutcracker” is Kremnev’s eighth full-length ballet.” His work has been seen in famous theaters across the world including Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre, Switzerland’s Opernhaus Zurich and New York’s  Lincoln Center.

Learn more about A&A Ballet’s “The Art Deco Nutcracker” by visiting their official website aacenterfordance.org.

All rights to the information and images belongs to A&A Ballet.

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Kevin James Keeps the Laughs Coming Online

Kevin Can Wait‘s cancellation was heartbreaking, but thankfully the star from the series is still in good sprits. Veteran actor and comedian Kevin James continues to roll out the jokes on social media. His recent jokes seem to poke fun at his current dieting and workout plans.

Check out some of his quips from the past several days below:

I hope to see him return to TV or an online network soon!

All rights to the image and videos belongs to Kevin James

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“La Boheme” is Now Playing at Lyric Opera

Photo Credit:  Todd Rosenberg and Stefany Phillips (Lyric Opera, Chicago)

Yesterday, the 64th season of the Lyric Opera of Chicago opened with a new co-production of Puccini’s “La Bohème”. It will run thru October 20 and return for 6 performances Jan. 10th-25th.

According to an official press release from The Silverman Group, “Lyric has assembled a magnificent international cast to portray the charming group of young Bohemians navigating the ups and downs of life and love while struggling to make ends meet in 19th-century Paris.”

Maria Agresta portrays Mimì, Danielle de Niese is Musetta, Zachary Nelson is painter Marcello  and Adrian Sâmpetrean is the philosopher Colline. Musician Schaunard, landlord Benoit/Musetta’s gentleman companion Alcindoro and clown Parpignol are played by Ricardo José Rivera, Jake Gardner and Mario Rojas respectively.

“Venezuelan-Swiss conductor Domingo Hindoyan makes his Lyric Opera debut with these performances. The English director Richard Jones staged the new co-production, with stylized yet traditional scenery and costumes by English designer Stewart Laing (Lyric debut) and lighting by American designer Mimi Jordan Sherin.  Lyric’s chorus master Michael Black prepared 60 members of the Lyric Opera Chorus and and children’s chorus master Josephine Lee prepared 21 members of the Chicago Children’s Choir,” the press release concluded.

Welcome to Chicago!

 

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Hallmark Channel Continues Fall Celebration with a Bachelor Bake-Off Film

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New Dancers Officially Joining The Joffrey Ballet

Julia Rust, Anna Gerberich, Princess Reid and Leticia Stock (photo by Cheryl Mann)

Welcome to Chicago!

According to an official press release from The Silverman Group, Chicago’s Joffrey Ballet will be opening their new season with more talented dancers! Derek Drilon, Anna Gerberich, Valentino Mongolia Zamora, Xavier Núñez, Princess Reid, Julia Rust, and Leticia Stock are blending with the current roster to create a 46 member group. They hail from the USA, Brazil, Spain and Puerto Rico.

“I’m pleased to welcome these beautiful dancers to the Joffrey as we begin our 2018-2019 season. Their artistry exudes all the qualities of a Joffrey dancer – energetic, versatile, dynamic,” Ashley Wheater (The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet) said in the press release.

Derek Drilon, Xavier Núñez and Valentino Moneglia Zamora (photo by Cheryl Mann)

Joffrey is also grateful to one family in particular for their generous donation that has allowed them to add Company dancer positions and additional work weeks to Joffrey’s seasonal contracts. “We are so grateful for The Lakonishok Family’s gift that affords our Company members a two-week contract extension, allowing us to further grow our exceptional range of international and local talent, much of which comes from our own Academy,”Ashley Wheater explained. The family encourages others to support The Joffrey Ballet as well.

The 2018-2019 season kicks off next month with Christopher Wheeldon’s beloved version of “Swan Lake”.

Click Here to learn more about the new dancers.

Click Here to read additional information about the upcoming season.

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“Heavens To Betsy 2”: All The Details About The Chicagoland Film

“Heaven’s To Betsy 2” has released a poster, trailer and kept its social media page updated. What is the latest news on the upcoming inspirational comedy film?

“Sole Productions is now looking into theatrical World Premiere dates with the end of October through the middle of November being the target time frame. One of the premieres has been confirmed to take place at the Emagine Theatres in Frankfort, IL,” the HTB2 social media page wrote earlier this month.

According to movie’s writer/director Robert Alaniz, “Heaven’s To Betsy 2” will answer all those lingering questions we had after watching the first installment. “HTB2 is not so much a sequel as a continuation of the first film. That’s how I wrote it, as if the second part was just as important as the first. Many things that may have been left in question in the first film are answered in the second…. We are looking into premiere dates and locations for the Chicagoland area and hope to have them locked in soon. I am anxious to see how audiences will respond.”

Stars Karen Lesiewicz, Jim O’Heir and Steve Parks reprise their roles from the first film, while Gary Gow, Michaele Nicole, Francine Locke and Becca Morello will be debuting in the film series.

Check out the fun trailer below:

When I found out a few months ago that “Heaven’s to Betsy” was filmed in the Chicagoland area, I rushed to see it on DVD.  Betsy dealing with all the answers to her prayers at the same time made a hilarious movie with so much heart! I actually preferred the alternate ending to the original. I’m anxious to see the next installment!

All rights to the photo, video and info belongs to Sole Productions.

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Win Movies, Games and Memorabilia

Family Video is currently in the midst of their “40 Days of Giveaways”. Since mid-Sept, they have been busy gifting their online followers with a surprise reward on a daily basis. Blue-rays, DVDs, movie memorabilia, games, a home theater system and more were given away so far.

Check them out on social media to enter to win.

All rights to the images belongs to Family Video.

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Sonam Kapoor Celebrates Khoobsurat’s Anniversary

This week, the Khoobsurat star honored the 4 year anniversary of the film’s premiere with a behind-the-scenes look at the photo shoot. In the video clip, all the actors seemed to have fun while posing for the photos.

Check out her happy tweet below:

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