Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Grand and Grandeur

The 12th season of “Dancing With the Stars” premieres this month — but, honestly, after watching Bristol Palin compete in the last round, aren’t you ready to see some bona fide big shots sweep the stage? The solution is Ballet Grand Prix, the first-ever tour of Youth America Grand Prix’s annual closing-night gala. The show (billed as “Stars of Today Meet the Stars of Tomorrow”) features YAGP winners and finalists on the same program as accomplished dancers from the American Ballet Theatre, Berlin State Opera Ballet, Jacoby & Pronk and more. The repertoire flits between classical pieces — including Michel Fokine’s 1905 work “The Dying Swan” — and modern choreography, such as “The Winner Is...” by Maeghan McHale, singled out by Dance Magazine as one of “25 to Watch” in 2010. So many stars, so little time.