CHAPEL HILL - Unless you happen to run an institution such as, say, the Kennedy Center, it takes a certain amount of brazenness to contact the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow and ask whether they might be interested in coming and performing at your theater.

The Bolshoi Ballet, after all, is the Bolshoi Ballet. One of the world's cultural treasures, among the most revered and renowned artistic organizations on the planet, the Bolshoi performs only rarely in the United States. You don't just pencil them in.

"You get to the point where you say, 'So, can we discuss having them perform here?' and their first question is, 'Who are you?'" said Emil Kang, UNC's executive director of the arts. "Then they go, 'And have you ever done this before?'"

Still, they can't say yes if you don't ask, so Kang asked.

Several years' worth of discussions and negotiations later, tonight the Bolshoi Ballet will make its first-ever appearance in the southeastern United States, taking the stage for the first of four performances at UNC's Memorial Hall. The company will give two performances of "Don Quixote" and two performances of "Swan Lake."

Chapel Hill is one of just three stops on the Bolshoi's 2009 U.S. tour, the others being Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, Calif., and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.

"Obviously, we're beyond thrilled," said Kang, who began talking with representatives from the Bolshoi almost from the first day he took the post at UNC in 2005. "To be one of only three venues in the United States hosting what is arguably the most renowned performing arts organization in the world is a tremendous coup not only for the university but for the town, the Triangle, the state and really the whole Southeast.

"Added to that, we're the only place they're doing two different productions, and the only place they're doing 'Swan Lake.' To have the opportunity to see them perform that piece, written in 1877 for the Bolshoi, not in Moscow or even at the Kennedy Center, but at Memorial Hall -- well, I almost can't believe it's real."

It's real, and, believe it or not, tickets might still be available. Although the shows offically sold out months ago, Kang said, a number of people who bought tickets last year have had to return them due to personal circumstances of various sorts.

"Even though it's technically sold out, we've had people call and tell us, 'I bought tickets a year ago, but my mother got sick and we can't come,' or things of that nature," Kang said.

As of Monday afternoon, Carolina Performing Arts was encouraging people who might want to attend a performance to call the Memorial Hall box office to check on ticket availability.

Kang credited the entire community with helping bring the Bolshoi to Chapel Hill, not only by embracing the arts but by responding to the fundraising efforts that are paying for the company's visit.

"If the community didn't support this, we wouldn't be able to do it," he said. "It's a testament to the value this place puts on the arts. There are banners up all over, and some store owners have put themed displays in their windows. This is important far beyond ballet. I believe arts can be an economic engine, and cultural tourism is important here. We want people to be proud of this."

dave.hart@nando.com or 932-8744

IF YOU GO

The Bolshoi Ballet will perform "Don Quixote" tonight and Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and "Swan Lake" Saturday at 8:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets range from $95 to $160. A limited number of tickets may be available. Call the Memorial Hall box office at 843-3333 to check availability.