LAMBERTVILLE: Ballet is bound for Obama inaugural

Roxey Ballet dancers will celebrate diversity

By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
   LAMBERTVILLE — Artistic Director Mark Roxey is adept at multitasking, but preparing for next week’s performance is really testing his skills.
   Speaking from a phone at the Roxey Ballet in Lambertville, he said, “I’m in the studio, watching a piece we’re creating, all while talking to you,” he said. With a laugh, he added, “I just took off my sneakers to show a movement.”
   Multitasking may be stressful and hectic, but Mr. Roxey sounded happy at the same time. He has good reason to be.
   The Roxey Ballet will perform eight minutes of excerpts from the company’s production of “Celebrating Diversity” at the African and International Friends Inaugural Ball in Washington, D.C., when President-elect Barack Obama takes office Jan. 20.
   ”This may be the single most exciting performance the Roxey Ballet has ever done,” Mr. Roxey said. “Our dancers hail from all over the world — from all different backgrounds — and they make their homes here in Lambertville. I expect this will leave a lasting mark on them and be a great story to bring home. It is truly a life-changing experience.”
   One of the pieces that will be performed is “MLK,” a piece that honors Martin Luther King Jr. It was composed by Richard Jarboe, of Stockton.
   The ball will be held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. It is sponsored by a nonprofit organization, Fallen Soldiers Inc. The group’s goal is to improve the lives of people living in poverty in the United States and Africa.
   Nelson Mandela is the honorary chairman of the event.
   In addition to the Roxey Ballet, performers will include Patti LaBelle and The O’Jays.
   The Roxey Ballet’s invitation to perform at the ball stems from a man who saw the company perform, according to Mr. Roxey. The man sits on the committee responsible for the performances at that venue.
   The invitation was one of those “the right place at the right time” things, Roxey spokeswoman Kristina Maiwaldt said.
   ”We’re very well known in and around the dance community that tackles social topics,” Mr. Roxey said. “Our company is diverse, from the disabled through every nationality.”
   The Roxey has been performing “Celebrating Diversity” for years.
   With the inaugural ball, “it’s getting a whole new life, which is great,” Ms. Maiwaldt said.
   Since 1994, Roxey Ballet has offered a program, Wheels in Motion, for disabled individuals. It’s just another example of the company’s diversity.
   Although none of these dancers will be performing at the ball, Ms. Maiwaldt called their performances “beautiful and amazing. Their spirit and their heart is pure and true.”
   The company also goes to schools, working with them on their diversity programs. Among these programs is one about women in the Middle East.
   The inaugural ball is “definitely the biggest” celebration of diversity the company has been involved in, Ms. Maiwaldt said.