In celebration of its 30th anniversary season, State Street Ballet will present The Brilliance Program: Balanchine, Arpino, and Beyond, a performance that pays tribute to timeless elegance ballet and the groundbreaking creativity of modern movement.

The dance program will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 9 and 2 p.m. Saturday, May 10 at the Lobero Theatre in Santa Barbara.

The season finale marks the end of State Street Ballet’s first full season under the leadership of Artistic Director Megan Philipp and Executive Director Cecily MacDougall.

The program features iconic works by two of ballet’s most influential choreographers: George Balanchine’s jazzy, spirited “Who Cares?” set to the music of George Gershwin, and Gerald Arpino’s “Birthday Variations,” a tribute accompanied by the music of Giuseppe Verdi.\

Audiences will also enjoy a world premiere by choreographer Kassandra Taylor Newberry, whose bold, emotionally charged work is known for pushing the boundaries of contemporary movement.

“The Brilliance Program is a pivotal moment for State Street Ballet,” Philipp said. “As we wrap up our 30th anniversary season, we’re not just celebrating how far we’ve come, we’re stepping into the future with purpose and passion.

“Featuring the works of two choreographers who shaped the essence of American ballet in the 20th century, this program marks the beginning of the next era for our company,” Philipp said. “These two iconic ballets and a world premiere are a challenge and opportunity for our dancers to align their passion, live music, and movement with the highest standards of artistic excellence and integrity.”

All performances will be accompanied live by the Opera Santa Barbara Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Kostis Protopapas.

“A little-known fact about me is that Giuseppe Verdi is my favorite composer,” Protopapas said. “Even without the benefit of the human voice, the music that Gerald Arpino used for his iconic choreography ‘Birthday Variations’ contains everything I love about Verdi: simplicity and elegance, tenderness and strength, nostalgia and courage.

“The score of ‘Who cares?’ is made up of my favorite Gershwin tunes,” he said. “I’ve known the lyrics to these songs since I was a teenager. Just thinking of that score makes me want to get up and dance.

“Oh, wait … We’re leaving that to the professionals this time.”

State Street Ballet will pay tribute to ballet luminaries at each performance this weekend. Friday’s show will be performed in memory of the late Erin Graffy, whose passion for Broadway and dance lit up every class she attended, the company said.

“Saturday’s matinee will recognize Rodney Gustafson, our esteemed founding director, in appreciation of his lasting legacy and visionary leadership,” State Street Ballet said.

A post-performance Q&A session with the artists will take place following the May 9 performance.

Tickets and more available at www.lobero.org.