GOODYEAR, Ariz. (Sept. 9, 2026) – Ballet Arizona’s annual Ballet Under the Stars performance returns to the West Valley’s picturesque Estrella Lakeside Amphitheater, 10300 Estrella Parkway, on Friday, Sept. 25.
The performance begins at 7 p.m. and is free of charge to the public, with free parking clearly marked nearby. Guests may bring chairs, blankets, and picnics as they experience the beauty of dance. Ballet Arizona and Estrella invite all to delight in a spectacular evening showcasing excerpts from a range of ballets, offering a vibrant portrayal of the art form’s diversity.
Ballet Under the Stars, presented by the Diane and Bruce Halle Foundation, is the perfect show for the entire family and a great way to introduce ballet to young people for the first time. This year’s event will feature excerpts from both classical and contemporary ballets.
Audiences will get to experience excerpts from Concerto Six Twenty-Two, choreography by Lar Lubovitch; parts of Romeo & Juliet, Act 2, choreography by Ib Andersen; and excerpts from Don Quixote, Act 3, choreography by Marius Petipa, adaptation and additional choreography by Ballet Arizona Artistic Director Daniela Cardim.
Ballet Under the Stars also showcases performances by local school students through the Class Act program, provided to students tuition-free. Each year, Ballet Arizona’s professional dancers and teaching artists provide a three-week dance training class for students in four different elementary schools across the Valley. Students from Westar Elementary School in Estrella will perform this year.
“Ballet Under the Stars is a long-standing tradition and a special way we begin our season at Ballet Arizona,” Cardim said. “It’s an opportunity for people of all ages to experience live ballet in a relaxed, welcoming outdoor setting. There’s something extraordinary about seeing this art form under the stars, surrounded by your community. We’re proud to continue this tradition and invite audiences across the Valley to join us for these free performances.”
The day begins with a New Home Tour at Estrella from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., allowing visitors to discover the community’s diverse collection of homes and neighborhoods. The tour will feature more than 35 homes, including model homes and Quick Move-In opportunities from some of the nation’s most respected homebuilders.
Starting at Estrella’s Welcome Center, 8175 Hillside Drive in Goodyear, guests can pick up a tour map to view homes and neighborhoods of interest, as well as explore the community’s signature amenities, scenic mountain views, and vibrant outdoor spaces.
To learn more information about this year’s Ballet Under the Stars performances, please visit balletaz.org.
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About Estrella
Home to more than 8,700 families, Estrella is a 20,000-acre mixed-use master-planned community located in the City of Goodyear, approximately 17 miles west of Phoenix. Estrella’s 500-plus acres of open space include more than 50 parks and 65 miles of paths and trails, plus 72 acres of lakes for kayaking, sailing, and catch-and-release fishing. Amenities include The Starpointe and Presidio Residents’ Clubs, the Yacht Club of Estrella, two fitness centers, resort- style swimming pools, basketball, volleyball, pickleball, and tennis courts. Estrella is also home to a Nicklaus-designed championship golf course, The Golf Club of Estrella. Estrella is owned in a joint venture among Värde Partners, Toll Brothers, and Harvard Investments. For more information about Estrella, please visit estrella.com.
About Ballet Arizona
Since 1986, Ballet Arizona has been dedicated to preserving the tradition of classical ballet while advancing the art form through innovative performances and new works. Led artistically by internationally acclaimed choreographer Daniela Cardim, Ballet Arizona continues to inspire audiences with dynamic performances that honor ballet’s rich heritage while embracing the future of dance. During its 40th season, the company will present “Romeo & Juliet,” “The Nutcracker,” “Don Quixote,” “Pulse,” and “Desert Lines.” Under the executive leadership of Jami Kozemczak, the company has grown into one of the nation’s leading regional ballet companies and a premier cultural institution in the Southwest, recognized for its artistic excellence, financial strength, and community impact. The School of Ballet Arizona, under the direction of James Payne, provides exceptional dance education and helps extend the organization’s reach through free and low-cost community programs that serve more than 26,000 children and families each year. For more information, visit balletaz.org.