Ballet Bend Presents: San Francisco Ballet, Open Space Dance, and Charlotte Ballet
September 25–26, 2026 · Tower Theatre, Bend
Excerpts from Charlotte Ballet’s From Africa with Love by Mthuthuzeli November
In Ballet Bend’s debut performance, we celebrate three internationally acclaimed companies — San Francisco Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, and Open Space Dance — each performing a masterpiece work at the highest level. Ranging in style from classical to contemporary ballet, there is something for everyone, and every age.
The Program
San Francisco Ballet opens the evening with Ben Stevenson’s poignant and timeless treasure, Three Preludes. Three of Rachmaninoff’s most moving preludes serenade two dancers in a landmark work that has been celebrated across the globe for twenty years and counting.
Charlotte Ballet follows with a riveting piece by renowned South African choreographer Mthuthuzeli November. In one of his landmark works, From Africa, With Love, we witness contemporary ballet at its peak. As dance critic Lawrence Toppman writes, the piece “invites the audience to experience what ballet can do in the hands of those willing to explore.”
Portland’s own premier contemporary company, Open Space Dance, presents one of its signature works, Anonymous. Choreographed by one of the most in-demand artists working today, Noelle Kayser arranges a powerful and hypnotic mass of bodies that reimagines what dance can look like today and tomorrow.
This evening of world-class dance will not only delight and inspire, but change what you think you know about dance. Expect anything excellent — with Ballet Bend.

Photo · Jasmine Jimison and Harrison James in Ben Stevenson’s Three Preludes // © Reneff-Olson Productions

Photo · Frances Chung and Harrison James in Stevenson’s Three Preludes // © San Francisco Ballet, Lindsey Rallo

Photo · Charlotte Ballet, Taylor Jones

Experience the season
September 25–26, 2026 · Tower Theatre, Bend
Photo · Charlotte Ballet, Taylor Jones