By Della Hasselle
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MIDTOWN WEST — When Bayside-born former New York City Ballet principal dancer Edward Villella first got an offer to start a ballet company in Florida, he scoffed at the idea.
"I don’t think so," Villella, now 73, said he told fellow dancers at the time. "I’m a New Yorker, and New Yorkers don’t leave New York."
After a debilitating injury, however, Villella eventually gave in. Determined to bring a piece of New York down South, he began the Balanchine-influenced classical ballet company, Miami City Ballet.
Now, Villella is back in the Big Apple to celebrate the company's 25th anniversary Tuesday with an opening night debut at the City Center's acclaimed "Fall For Dance" festival.
The 11-day event, featuring 20 classical and contemporary companies from around the world, started its seventh season Tuesday. Miami City Ballet is one of 10 companies to make their debut at this year’s sold-out festival.
He may have left New York, the Miami City Ballet director said, but New York never left him, and the city’s versatility continues to influence his company.
"My having come from New York City Ballet legitimatized my presence here," Villella said during a phone interview this week. "It allowed me to be brought up so that I understand the history of the dance."
For Tuesday’s festival opener, the company performed a crowd-rousing piece, "The Golden Section," by Broadway choreographer Twyla Tharp.
"It is unbelievably energetic and athletic," Villella said about Tharp’s piece, which is performed to music by the Talking Heads’ David Byrne. "It’s one of the most difficult ballets in terms of stamina and endurance — it's phenomenal."
Dancer Isanusi Garcia Rodriguez, 32, called the piece "strong and sensual."
"We've really gotten inside of it," he said.
The aim of the "Fall for Dance" festival is to make dance accessible to those who may not normally have a chance to experience it.
In addition to Miami City Ballet, New York-based Merce Cunningham Company performed the contemporary piece "Xover," done to music by John Cage, and Indian company Madhavi Mudgal as well Gallim Dance also performed in Tuesday's festival opener.
"Fall For Dance" continues until Oct. 9. To see a full schedule, click here.
