Ballet 5:8 presents Beauty Will Save the World, a mixed-repertory evening celebrating resilience, wonder, and the redemptive power of art. Featuring five distinct works that speak across cultures and generations, the program invites audiences to encounter beauty not as escapism, but as a force for transformation.

Highlights include:

• A new BIOS Project excerpt, amplifying a bold new voice through Ballet 5:8’s acclaimed platform for emerging artists.

• Birthday Variations by Gerald Arpino—a joyful masterwork of neoclassical ballet rarely seen on Chicago stages.

• A world premiere duet by Kevin Jenkins, tracing human connection through sweeping, intimate movement.

• The Sea is Flat, a fan favorite that wrestles with chaos and peace in a breathtaking storm of motion.

• Día de los Vivos, a colorful and soul-stirring tribute to life, memory, and Hispanic heritage.

This performance anchors Ballet 5:8’s annual Gala, gathering our community in celebration of the artists, supporters, and stories shaping a more beautiful world.