Ballet Hispanico melds traditional Latino dance and rhythms – rumba, mambo, conga, cha cha and the like – with classical ballet and modern techniques, the result passionate, graceful, precise and theatric in a classy sort of way. Founded by award-winning dancer/choreographer Tina Ramirez (whose dance school counts Jennifer Lopez among its notable alumni), the troupe has commissioned more than 70 works for its repertory, and acquired 11 others working with choreographers from around the world. Sat., Jan. 17, 8 p.m., Carol Morsani Hall-TBPAC, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, downtown Tampa, $19.50-$49.50, 813-229-7827, tbpac.org.
This article appears in Jan 7-13, 2009.