Ballet Arizona’s annual “Ballet Under the Stars,” presented by the Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation, returns to Fountain Park at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, to kick off its new season of free shows around the Valley.

This free, family-friendly event is a wonderful way to experience the beauty of ballet under the open sky and an ideal introduction to the art form for young audiences, according to a press release.

This year’s Ballet Under the Stars will include excerpts from both contemporary and classic ballets. Audiences will get to experience Robert Bondara’s captivating, “Take Me With You,” set to recorded music by the alternative rock band Radiohead.

In addition, Ballet Arizona will present two works by Artistic Director Daniela Cardim: “Nocturne,” a duet adorned by Frederic Chopin’s “Nocturne No. 13” as well as an excerpt from “The Sleeping Beauty,” which will grace the stage in full later this fall.

Since its inception in 1997, these performances provide an evening of fun for audiences of all ages. Guests bring chairs, blankets and picnics to experience the beauty of dance in outdoor parks across Maricopa County.

Event goers can indulge in local food trucks and enjoy ample space for picnicking or for aspiring young dancers to move along with the performance.

Ballet Under the Stars also features world premiere performances choreographed by local elementary students through the Ballet Arizona’s Class Act program.

Each year, Ballet Arizona teaching artists lead a three-week dance training program at six schools across the Valley, guiding students through the creative and rehearsal process. Their hard work culminates in a special on-stage performance as part of Ballet Under the Stars. This tuition-free educational program is made possible through the generous support of Joan Benjamin and Laurence Cherkis.

Performance Schedule

• Thursday, Sept. 18, at Fountain Park, 12925 N. Saguaro Blvd., Fountain Hills, AZ, 85268
• Friday, Sept. 19, at A.J. Chandler Park, 178 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler, AZ, 85225
• Saturday, Sept. 20, at Centennial Plaza Park, 9875 N. 85th Ave., Peoria, AZ, 85345
• Thursday, Sept. 25, at Sahuaro Ranch Historic Park, 9802 N. 59th Ave., Glendale, AZ, 85302
• Friday, Sept. 26, at Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater, 10300 Estrella Pkwy., Goodyear, AZ, 85338
• Saturday, Sept. 27, at Steele Indian School Park, 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85012

All performances begin at 7 p.m. and are free of charge.

To learn more about this year’s Ballet Under the Stars performances, visit balletaz.org.