Two years ago, when State Street Ballet was planning to perform dance pieces inspired by specific wines in the heart of the Funk Zone, there was a lot of skepticism about how that would play out. But those who attended the flashy affair will never forget the stunning display of sensual energy and sexy excitement that ensued, as the dancers, music, wine, and appetizers swirled into a feast for all senses that was more memorable than any wine tasting I’d ever attended.
On April 27, from 6-8 p.m., State Street Ballet is finally doing it again, this time at the S.B. Wine Collective, where they will erect an indoor-outdoor stage and perform four drastically different dances specially selected to go with four very fine wines. “When I drink wine, I don’t just think of the smell or the taste; I think of different kinds of movement and which piece would go well with the wine,” said Teri Jory, the event’s original visionary. “And as Santa Barbara culture moves toward the Funk Zone, State Street Ballet wants to be there, too.”
They’re calling the $50, all-you-can-sip event a friendraiser. “We’ve had a lot of great support from patrons for the last two decades, but we want to get more exposure with a younger demographic and take our performance somewhere outside the theater to keep making dance more mainstream, hip, and fun,” said ballerina Leila Drake Fossek, who also performed in the 2014 event and sees a strong connection between the two arts. “Dance is the universal language, and wine comes from ancient times.”