By KATIE McDOWELL / Lifestyles Editor

I’ve never seen a professional ballet performance.

I made that realization several weeks ago while talking to Mindy Boggs, chair of the ARts and Lectures Club of Shelby County. As part of the organization, Boggs works to make the professional arts more accessible to people in Shelby County.

One of the ways they do that is by bringing groups across the county line to perform.

“(Highway) 280 is such a barrier between the suburbs and downtown because of the traffic congestion,” she said.

The ALCSC’s next event is “The Alabama Ballet at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen” on Sept. 13. It’s the perfect opportunity for me — and everyone else in Shelby County — to watch professional dancers in action without making a long drive.

Megan Cottle, executive director of The Alabama Ballet, said the group was excited about the chance to perform in Shelby County.

“We thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to do a high-caliber performance in an unconventional venue,” Cottle said.

Cottle said the dancers will perform scenes from “Paquita,” a traditional ballet.

“We’re also going to be doing a more modern piece that was choreographed by one of our own dancers,” she said.

Following the performance, an after party, catered by A Stone’s Throw in Mt Laurel, will be held in the community room at One Nineteen.”

The ALCSC sponsors about two big events each year. The organization collaborates with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Ballet, Red Mountain Theater Company, Birmingham Museum of Art, Birmingham Children’s Theater, Opera Birmingham and the Virginia Samford Theater.

Performance tickets for “The Alabama Ballet at St. Vincent’s One Nineteen” cost $25 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. After party tickets, which include one drink ticket for wine or beer, cost $20 per person. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the performance begins at 7 p.m.

For more information, visit Artsandlecturesclubofshelbyco.com.

Katie McDowell is the lifestyles editor for the Shelby County Reporter. She can be reached at 669-3131 ext 19 or by email at katie.mcdowell@shelbycountyreporter.com.