Alonzo King LINES Ballet
The Verdict
"Contemporary ballet company founded in 1982 by choreographer Alonzo King, based in SoMa. About 12 dancers performing classical-technique work in contemporary form, often with live music from collaborators like Pharoah Sanders, Zakir Hussain, and Edgar Meyer. Performs at YBCA and Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, tickets $30 to $95."
What you need to know
Alonzo King LINES Ballet was founded in 1982 by choreographer Alonzo King. The company is based in SoMa and runs a performance program alongside the LINES Ballet School, a pre-professional training center that draws students from around the world.
What to Expect
King’s choreography uses classical ballet technique as a foundation but his work is contemporary in form. Performances often feature live music by collaborators from outside the Western classical tradition. Past collaborators have included Pharoah Sanders, Zakir Hussain, and Edgar Meyer.
The company is small, typically around 12 dancers. Performances usually take place at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts or other Bay Area theaters rather than in the company’s SoMa studio.
Visiting
School and Studio: 26 7th Street, SoMa
Performances: Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, and touring venues
Season: Several programs per year, typically spring and fall
Cost: $30 to $95 depending on venue and seating
Tickets: Available through the LINES Ballet website or the hosting venue
Getting There
The SoMa studio is near Civic Center BART and several Muni lines. Performance venues vary; check the specific theater when you buy tickets. Most Bay Area performance venues where the company appears are transit accessible.