The relationship between the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet and the community can best be described as enduring, and the upcoming Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet’s 40th anniversary Ruby Gala will celebrate just that.

Set for 7-11 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Shreveport RiverView Theater, where the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet has performed for many years, the gala will also kick off “The Nutcracker” weekend.

“It’s a very nostalgic setting for many of our current and former dancers,” Kate Pedrotty, executive director of SMB, said. In fact, the gala will be almost like a reunion for dancers, she said. “We have two goals for [the gala]: to bring alumni back and get some more alumni involved and to raise awareness that SMB is doing great things in the community.”

City Councilman Jeff Everson, no stranger to the ballet stage, couldn’t agree more about SMB’s importance in the community.

“We’re lucky to have SMB as well as the Shreveport Symphony and the Shreveport Opera,” Everson said. “We have a very well-rounded group of professional arts organizations that a city of our size doesn’t always have.”

Supporting the cultural arts is important in maintaining a diverse economy in that it draws creative, young innovators, Everson said.

Everson’s relationship with SMB extends back to 2010. In 2011, he was tapped to play Mother Ginger in the company’s production of “The Nutcracker.” “It’s a silly, slapstick role.” Pedrotty said, that requires only a very big skirt and a very big sense of humor, since numerous dancers enter the stage from underneath Mother Ginger’s skirt.

Everson, along with other community members, have been asked take part in the Tutu Hall of Fame, Pedrotty said.

SMB has partnered with local photographer Neil Johnson to book oneon-one sessions with 10 people. The studio session with Johnson will produce a commemorative print that will be enshrined in SMB’s “Tutu Hall of Fame,” to be unveiled at the gala. The series is called “How Do You Tutu?” The evening will also include entertainment by Brady Blade as well as a brief moment of recognition to highlight some of the people who have been important to SMB’s history, Pedrotty said.

In addition, a silent auction will be focused on original pieces of artwork with ballet or dance themes by local and regional artists. Some of the pieces will be created just for the gala.

Much of the décor, food and drink for the event will have a ruby theme, which will be picked up again as the 40th anniversary is celebrated on into the spring with the “Wizard of Oz,” Pedrotty said. This ballet, featuring, not only ruby slippers, of course, but also original choreography by SMB Artistic Director Kendra Meiki and an original score by SMB Music Director Kermit Poling, premiered in 2006 to rave reviews.

The Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet, founded in 1973, is one of the oldest arts organizations in Shreveport-Bossier City. Its mission is to educate the community in the art of classical ballet in a variety of venues, to enhance the cultural life of the community by presenting professional fulllength ballets, and to provide opportunity and education for all interested and qualified dancers to showcase their talents in staged productions and lecture/demonstrations.

“The original concept was to throw a party for everyone to celebrate but also to gain a little more visibility for the ballet in the community,” Pedrotty said. “Even though we’ve been around for 40 years, I think there are still some people who are not aware of the existence of the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet and all that we do. We really wanted to celebrate our history and show people what we’re all about in a very public way.”

In addition to their outreach programs, the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet also provides annual free performances for thousands of residents, inviting them to experience classical ballet performed by those in their own community. Pedrotty said the organization strives to reach all demographics.

The 40th anniversary gala falls on the same weekend of the ballet’s biggest annual performance, “The Nutcracker.” Pedrotty said they hoped to make a big weekend out of the event and the performance. Because of the venue space, tickets are limited but are available individually or through table sponsorships. For tickets, call the main office at 221-8500, or go to www.shreveportmetroballet.com for more information.