Newton, NC – In September, the Catawba County Library continues its partnership with Hickory Ballet and Performing Arts to showcase another classic ballet: Swan Lake.

The Tchaikovsky work, loosely based on European folk tales, centers around Odette, a princess who is turned into a swan by an evil sorcerer, and her budding relationship with Prince Siegfried, whose love has the potential to restore her to human form forever.

The Library performances focus on storytelling, namely the techniques dancers use to communicate events and emotions to an audience when words aren’t available to them. Students from Hickory Ballet and Performing Arts will demonstrate the various ways they use movement, gesture, and expression to help people understand what is happening on stage from moment to moment.

In addition to seeing portions of the ballet performed, children will have the chance to learn ballet steps themselves. For young people – male and female – interested in seeing what the real work of dance performance is like, this storytime is a terrific introduction.

The first performances take place at the following locations:

Saturday, September 7 at 10 am at the Maiden Branch Library; Saturday, September 7 at 11:15 am at the Main Library in Newton; Saturday, September 7 at 12:30 pm at the Southwest Branch Library.

Additional performances will continue in October.

For more information about Catawba County Libraries, visit www.catawbacountync.gov/library, call 828.465.8664, email [email protected], or visit them on Facebook.