Ballet Tucson continues its longtime partnership with the Tucson Desert Song Festival and Tucson Guitar Society with the highly anticipated return of Chieko Imada’s Himiko. This audience favorite work offers a beautiful blend of ballet and traditional Japanese dance as a tribute to the human spirit, honor, and resilience, featuring music by Yusuke Nakanishi performed live by celebrated ensemble Duo Chinoiserie and Soprano Erika Burkhart. Tucson audiences have marveled at Kiyon Ross’ dynamic ballets and Un-A’frayed Edges, a “colorful and fantastical” work that plays with speed, angles, and formations will be his fifth contribution to our Ballet Tucson repertoire. The program will also include a world premiere by Tucson native Margaret Mullin, Desert Dweller, created in collaboration with Tohono Chul Gardens. Filled with vivid projections of striking botanicals captured by photographer Carlos Chavez and set to the music of renowned guitarist Misael Barraza-Diaz, this work will serve as a celebration of the natural beauty of this region we all call home.