Artists of BalletMet Columbus will present The Dance Compassion Project at 7:30 p.m. May 8 and 9 at the BalletMet Performance Space, 322 Mount Vernon Ave. All proceeds benefit the Ohio AIDS Coalition.

This second annual event will feature exceptional collaborative performances between Central Ohio dancers and musicians including:
* Excerpts from BalletMet’s hit program 30x30;
* Special musical selections by the Élan Trio paired with the moving choreography of BalletMet company dancer Jimmy Orrante;
*A new work to the music of Giulio Caccini by Adam Hundt – dancers will be joined by the Opera Columbus mezzo-soprano Elise Des Champs;
* Performances by special guests Columbus Dance Theatre, Kristina Isabelle Dance Company and bacKspace;
* World premiere works by BalletMet Company dancers Justin Gibbs and Dmitri Suslov;
* A surprise finale featuring the entire cast of this groundbreaking project.

All proceeds will benefit the Ohio AIDS Coalition’s mission of education, leadership training, advocacy, and support for people living with HIV/AIDS. The OAC also offers healing weekends for people newly diagnosed living with HIV/AIDS.

Tickets for The Dance Compassion Project are $28. For a $53 ticket, patrons can attend the post performance reception on Friday with the artists from the show.

For tickets, call the BalletMet Box Office at (614) 229-4848. For more information,
call 614-915-4999, visit www.myspace.com/dancecompassionproject, or
email .