Arts Here and Away: Film on street art, Gilbert & Sullivan, ballet

Enjoy the viewing and discussion of the movie Exit Through the Gift Shop, the inside story of Street Art, a brutal and revealing account of what happens when fame, money and vandalism collide.

This Reel to Real conversation will be held at 8 p.m. Thursday July 19 at Vermont Institute of Contemporary Art, 15 Depot St. in Chester, and hosted by Jon Bliss.

Exit Through the Gift Shop follows an eccentric shop-keeper turned amateur film-maker as he attempts to capture many of the world’s most infamous vandals on camera, only to have a British stencil artist named Banksy turn the camcorder back on its owner with wildly unexpected results.

A $10 donation is suggested. For more information, call 802-875-1018.

‘Pirates of Penzance’ in Rutland

The Merchants Hall STAGE Series of Rutland presents the renowned Gilbert and Sullivan comedic opera The Pirates of Penzance Friday July 27 through Sunday July 29, with a preview on Thursday, July 26.

This English musical romp, written in 1879 and directed here by Jacob Patorti, parodies a number of composers, including Verdi, Mozart and Schubert. It follows the story of Frederic, an apprentice pirate who longs for the love of Mabel. But can Mabel can commit herself to Frederic through all of his indentured days?

Tickets for the July 26^th preview, which starts at 7:30 p.m., are $13. All other tickets are $15. The Friday, July 27^th performance also begins at 7:30 p.m. Performances on July 28^th begin at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, July 29th’s performance begins at 2 p.m.

Seating is limited, so reservations are encouraged. Reservations can be made by calling 802-855-8081 or emailing info@merchantshall.com. Merchants Hall is located at 40-42 Merchants Row in Rutland and is wheelchair accessible.

Ballet stars to perform in Manchester

Charles Askegard and Michele Wiles/Photograph by Nir Arieli

Ballet Manchester presents an evening of international ballet stars at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Aug. 8 at the Southern Vermont Arts Center, 930 SVAC Drive at West Road in Manchester.

Performing will be principal dancer Charles Askegard, formerly of the New York City Ballet, Georgina Pazcoguin, soloist with the New York City Ballet, and Anna Liceica, former soloist of American Ballet Theater along with ABT dancers Vitali Krauchenka, Luciana Paris, Sean Stewart, Cassandra Trenary, Sterling Baca and Gabrielle Johnson.

They will premier a number of pieces choreographed to the live music of Donald Knaack. Knaack, of Manchester, is an internationally known musician who most recently played at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. in celebration of Twyla Tharp’s 70th birthday. He also has been involved with dance for many years.

Among the dances to be performed on Aug. 8 will be Tharp’s Pas de Deux from “Known by Heart,” “Unrestrained” choreographed by Mikhail Ilyin and the “Stravinsky Divertissement” choreographed by Askegard.

Tickets for this performance are $40 and are available at the Mountain Goat, at 4886 Historic Main St., in Manchester or by calling Ballet Manchester’s director, Marilyn Cavallari at 802-379-0759.