The Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) is the place to be on the last weekend of Black Music Month. TPAC presents The Joffrey Ballet and The Magic of Motown for dazzling performances on Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29. Experience world – class dancing and singing at Nashville’s historic performing arts venue.
The internationally renowned Chicago – based ballet company The Joffrey Ballet presents a unique repertoire that encompasses masterpieces of the past and cutting – edge works of today, featuring modern re – envisionings of classic fairy tales, premiere works that explore the complexities of the human experience and relationships, and performances set to contemporary symphonies.
This phenomenal company will delight audiences on Saturday, June 28 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, June 29 at 1:00 PM in Jackson Hall. For the opening night performance only, you can receive a complimentary ticket for one child aged 6 to 17 with the purchase of one standard ticket. Limit of four (4) complimentary tickets per household. Bring the whole family to enjoy the beauty and power of dance. Purchase an adult ticket and bring a child for free.
Here is the program for the Joffrey Ballet performances:
“Andante” Choreography: Yuri Possokhov; Music: Dmitri Shostakovich. Yuri Possokhov’s captivating choreography ignites the stage as three extraordinary dancers weave a compelling tale of desire and devotion in a mesmerizing ménage à trois. Prepare to be enthralled by sleek partnering, potent athleticism, and a simmering sensuality as a radiant woman, with her elegant and languorous grace, moves between her ardent suitors. Set to the evocative music of Dmitri Shostakovich, this is a breathtakingly beautiful and powerfully moving performance that will resonate long after the curtain falls.
“All That Remains” Choreography: Nicolas Blanc; Music: Ezio Bosso. This premiere work from Joffrey’s Nicolas Blanc unfolds beneath a sky of clouds and rain, where three dancers trace the contours of memory, love, attachment, and separation. Inspired by the deeply emotive music of Ezio Bosso, the work is a meditation on connection and loss – a poetic journey that nourishes Blanc’s profound artistic bond with the composer’s spirit and sound.
“Under the Trees’ Voices” Choreography: Nicolas Blanc; Music: Ezio Bosso. “Under the Trees’ Voices” examines the persistence of community and connection in the age of distance and isolation. Set to Bosso’s Symphony No. 2, Blanc’s choreography arose from his observations of the nuances of people’s temperaments during the spring of 2020 as the weather became warmer and the chill of pandemic restrictions thawed. In four distinct sections, it imagines a future of hope and unity, reminding us that we are better together than alone.
“Princess and the Pea” Choreography: Dani Rowe; Music: Jim Stephenson. From choreographic storyteller Dani Rowe comes a whimsical and comical ballet inspired by the timeless tale of “The Princess and the Pea.” This modern re-envisioning has a dual nature – a surface of enchantment and humor, underpinned with universal themes of justice and freedom. When her parents are unjustly “canned and banned” in the authoritarian world of Pea Town, young Penelopea embarks on a daring quest for freedom and justice. Armed with a magical heirloom seed packet and her unexpected ally Tom, a life-sized heirloom tomato, Penelopea embarks on a daring journey to win an annual Mattress Tournament to win back her parents’ freedom. As she battles the oppressive Master Pea, Penelopea discovers the power of individuality and growth, leading to a revolution that transforms Pea Town into something no one could have ever expected.
Experience “The Magic of Motown” as the award winning Shades of Blue will give you the breathtaking harmonies, dazzling choreography and Vegas style showmanship that will get you on your feet and dancing the night away to all of your favorites. This is a journey through Motown’s best, including The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Jackson Five, Diana Ross and the Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and more. This presentation is a licensed event and not affiliated directly with TPAC.
Performances of “The Magic of Motown” are in Polk Theater Saturday, June 28 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, June 29, 2025, at 5 PM. Purchase tickets for either show online at: tpac.org; by phone at 615 – 782 – 4040; or in person at the TPAC Box Office at 505 Deaderick Street.
