As an arts and entertainment writer, I would never consider myself an expert on dance.

What I do know about the art form is that it takes a special type of artist/athlete to perform it well. In no other art form do you have to condition and care for your body with such dedication and determination.

An introduction to dance many years ago included a visit to Festival Ballet’s “Up Close on Hope” series at their 85-seat black box dance studio at 825 Hope St. on Providence’s East Side, where I became a big fan.

The opening program of their 37th season is yet another winner, with nine presentations, ranging from the traditional Pas de Deux to modern dance. Costumes range from tutus to t-shirts. There are barefoot dancers and others wearing ballet slippers. Accompanying music ranges from Beethoven to Philip Glass.

If you don’t like one dance (I liked them all) another one will be along in a few minutes. A brief intermission is enhanced with wine and a light repast from Chez Pascal. I would never attempt to critique the individual dances or dancers. I leave that to Bill Gale, arts writer for RINPR.

While many audience members are dancers, former dancers or aficionados of the art form, I’ve noticed a growing number of new-to-the-ballet members in the audience over the years.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and we all see different things in the presentations, many of which are open to individual interpretation.

Joyce and I sat mesmerized watching Louisa Chapman, Alex Lantz and Emily Loscocco interpreting the world premiere of Gianni Di Marco’s “Voices in Your Head.” We each saw a different story being told.

Louisa Chapman’s Festival Ballet’s premiere of “The Elements” was divided into four parts. In the final parts we both saw sea gulls flying in a beautiful formation.

In the final dance of the evening, we were enthralled by Viktor Plotnikov’s six-dancer “Surrogate.” We weren’t sure what was going on, but we both knew that we liked it.

Give yourself a new opportunity to watch these world-class dancers, literally from all over the world, and find yourself entertained with this wonderful art form.

The series continues Friday, Nov. 7 at 8 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 8 at 7:30 p.m., continuing at the same times the following weekend, Nov. 14 and 15 and closing Friday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $50. For reservations call 353-1129.