Celebrating a Legacy at The Toni’s with The Eugene Ballet and Orchestra Next
For one night only, The Eugene Ballet will celebrate longtime Artistic Director Toni Pimble with “The Toni’s.” This retrospective of Pimble’s choreography of the past 40 years is presented in five pieces.
“If you are a fan of dance, you will enjoy it,” Pimble says. “It has a lot of flavor, and includes works I’m very proud of — favorites and some special pieces.”
Toni’s influence extends far beyond the world of dance. “Toni’s legacy is a true gift to the Eugene community,” says resident choreographer Suzanne Haag. That legacy includes a professional ballet company, a student dance academy, and the multi-use Midtown Arts Center in Eugene — all built from the ground up.
“Working with Toni has made me a better musician” says Brian McWhorter, Eugene Ballet Music Director and Orchestra Next Conductor. “Her impact on this company, this city, and the arts community at large is immeasurable.”
*The Toni’s Apr 12 at the Hult Center. For tickets or more details, visit eugeneballet.org/the-tonis.
MAY DANCES | 1981 | Eugene Ballet’s Inception
Toni choreographed this piece before Eugene Ballet was an official company. “May Dances has a traditional feel and stands the test of time,” she says. “It was really the inception of Eugene Ballet, which gave me the freedom to explore choreography — something that ultimately shaped what Eugene Ballet is today.”
TWO’S COMPANY | 1992 | Trusting the Creative Instinct
Toni’s breakthrough work at New York City Ballet’s Diamond Project, she says, “This was a tremendous opportunity for me. Not only to be able to show my work in New York, but dancers of such a high technical standard can be a great inspiration.”
CONCERTO FOR SEVEN DANCERS | 2003 | An Ode to Collaboration
Showcasing the spirit of collaboration that’s always been at the heart of Eugene Ballet’s artistic identity, this piece celebrates a collaboration with the Oregon Bach Festival — including three violinists — and all its artistic relationships over EB’s rich history.
TAMING OF THE SHREW: Pas de deux | 2021 | A Story of Love and Transformation
This fiery, playful duet captures the moment in Toni’s Taming of the Shrew when Petruchio and Kate, after battling fiercely, finally learn to love one another. “This is one of my favorite moments in a story ballet,” she says.
THE LARK ASCENDING | WORLD PREMIERE | Toni’s Swan Song
This deeply personal work inspired by childhood memories. “This is my Swan Song ballet,” Toni says. “It’s a 15-minute piece, and the music is an audience favorite. It’s emotional and gives me strong memories of my childhood, of the beautiful larks that would nest in the fields and then fly up into the sky. This is a strong English metaphor for me—of innocent times, and now, of passing the torch.”