Tulsa Ballet recently announced its 2012-2013 season, featuring beloved evening-length works (including "Lady of the Camellias" and "Dracula"), a new spring performance series in the Lorton Performance Center at TU, and a whopping six premieres (including a US premiere by British choreographic rockstar Wayne McGregor).

Two other special events have now been added to an already full and vibrant schedule. The first is a renewal of TB's local dance initiative, in which Tulsa troupes were chosen to perform as opening acts for the main company. Artistic Director Marcello Angelini called it "one of the highlights of last season."

"Having local companies perform with us in Studio K was a historic event for dance in Tulsa," Angelini said. "Interacting with other artists in the community was energizing for all of us and, in my case, it gave me a feeling of unity and renewed sense of purpose to further our art form. It was a wonderful start, and yet just a start. At this point, the sky is the limit.

"I am tremendously impressed by the local companies, their directors, choreographers, and dancers," he continued. "I feel it is my responsibility to support their efforts however I can."

Interested groups may submit a DVD of their proposed performance, which must be less than 20 minutes, along with a description of the piece and their company, to Tulsa Ballet (1212 East 45th Place South, Tulsa, OK 74105) before July 15th. All companies will be notified of their acceptance by July 31st. For more information, contact Company Manager Daiva Neal at daiva.neal@tulsaballet.org.

Tulsa Ballet has also announced that it will host a memorial tribute at 7pm on September 16, 2012, in honor of its late co-founder Moscelyne Larkin Jasinski (herself a champion of local talent). The event, to be held at the PAC's Chapman Music Hall, will be free and open to the public and will include dancing by company members, video footage, and a narrative of Miss Larkin's life. The company will release information about reserving tickets after August 1.

"Miss Larkin was one of those individuals whose life accomplishments, legacy, and impact on the region are bigger than life itself," Angelini said. "TB wants to celebrate her life, the life of the person who gave birth to this company and nurtured it till adulthood, with a memorial gala as spectacular as her life was.

"If you knew her," he continued, "expect to remember your friend. If you didn't, expect to learn about this unique individual who, with her love of the art form, devotion to her birthplace, artistic vision, and sheer determination, made Tulsa and the entire state of Oklahoma a better place for us and our children."

Tulsa Tough sponsorships vital for cycling event. Entry fees will be waived for the eight-mile family ride this Sunday at the Tulsa Tough cycling event.

It would have been tough to waive the fee -- last year it was $20 -- without a sponsorship from the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation to "present" the ride, known as the Tulsa Townie.

In fact, Malcolm McCollam, the event's executive director, said the entire three-day event would be impossible to pull off without such sponsorships.

"Our total sponsorship dollars are about 75 percent of our total revenues," McCollam said, adding that the event relies on about $400,000 in such funding.

He explained that the three-day event's budget must cover the presence of police and city workers, as well as prize money, among other expenses.

Big names contributing to the event include Saint Francis Health System, the event's title sponsor. The event has room for sponsors both large and small, however; sponsors highlighted on the event's website include energy company Nadel and Gussman, marketers Meeks Group and wine bar Vintage 1740.

In all, about 35 sponsors help fund the event, McCollam said.

The event, first held in 2006, has an obvious appeal for at least some sponsors.

"We really like the energy, and obviously the visitors that Tulsa Tough brings to the city of Tulsa," said Elizabeth Frame Ellison, executive director for the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation. "The Townie ride especially targets one of the tenets of our mission, which is healthy living and family health."