The Aiken Civic Ballet will bring the art of dance to the 41st annual Hopelands Gardens Summer Concert Series on Monday.
The free concert, held by the City of Aiken Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, will begin at 7 p.m. and last about an hour in Hopelands Gardens, 135 Dupree Place.
The performance is presented by the Friends of Hopelands and Rye Patch, an advisory group that works in conjunction with the City of Aiken to assist in the maintenance and improvement of Hopelands Gardens and Rye Patch.
The Aiken Civic Ballet is one of the longest operating dance companies in South Carolina, sharing the art of dance in its many forms with young dancers in the CSRA.
Founded by Carl Crosby more than 35 years ago, the Aiken Civic Ballet is now under the artistic direction of Diane Toole Miller, who helps to produce original ballets and contemporary dance works.
Miller, an Aiken native, started studying dance under Crosby at 8 years old; then by age 13, Miller became a member of the company.
The Aiken Civic Ballet is known for its variety of performances in the area, but most know the company for its yearly winter performance of "The Nutcracker" and its annual Nutcracker Tea held annually at the Aiken County Historical Museum.
For more information about the Aiken Civic Ballet, visit www.aikencivicballet.com or email info@aikencivicballet.com.
Alcohol and wine are prohibited on the grounds of Hopelands Gardens, and pets must be kept on a leash at all times. Those in attendance can bring a lawn chair or blanket, and picnic dinners are permitted.
Public parking will be available at the Green Boundary Club, 780 Whiskey Road, across from Hopelands Gardens. Handicap parking also is available at the Hopelands Gardens parking lot, 135 Dupree Place, and at The Rye Patch, 100 Berrie Road.
In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved to Gym 2 in the H. Odell Weeks Activities Center, 1700 Whiskey Road.
For more information if there is a threat of rain the night of the concert, call the City Parks, Recreation and Tourism rain-out hotline at 803-643-4661. If accommodations for people with disabilities are needed, call 803-642-7631 no less than 72 hours in advance.
For more information, call 803-642-7631 or visit www.facebook.com/experience aiken.
Maayan Schechter is the local government reporter with Aiken Standard. Follow her on Twitter @MaayanSchechter.