Ballet Kelowna invites you to witness what may well be the company’s final performance at the Kelowna Community Theatre on March 15 at 7:30 p.m.
In early February, the board of directors announced its intention to suspend operations at the end of the company’s 10th anniversary season in April. In light of that announcement, many Okanagan residents have expressed their support for Ballet Kelowna, including Mayor Walter Gray: “It’s tragic to think that such a fine, professional organization is going to have to fold because in its own town, in its community theatre, it can’t get enough bums in the seats. I’m hoping there may be a last chance.”
Gray said he hopes there is still time. “Maybe, and it’s an off chance, it could be saved if enough people showed up March 15. The public of Kelowna deserves a second chance to consider supporting the ballet.”
Meaghan Williams, executive director of Ballet Kelowna said in a press release that the company has experienced an outpouring of community support from individuals and businesses including The Canadian School of Ballet, Chris and Michelle Sorensen and the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation—each of whom has stepped forward to help Ballet Kelowna complete their season.
The ‘little ballet company that could’ will take the stage in communities across B.C. on tour this spring including outreach performances in several schools as well as dates in Vernon, Creston, Salmon Arm, Summerland,Coquitlam and Mission.
The program:
No passport is required as Ballet Kelowna wraps up a decade of artistic excellence with a performance that takes us on a journey through Spain, Russia, England and then home to Canada.
The trip begins in Spain with the pas de trois from Paquita, a story of a beautiful gypsy girl who falls in love with a French nobleman, and to England for Five for Frank, a whimsical work choreographed by Ballet Kelowna’s own artistic director David LaHay.
Britain also brings Journey Out of Darkness, a performance that moves us from sorrow to hope, loss to salvation.
Among the contemporary Canadian works on the program is In Stride, a jazz-inspired, pulse-driven dance to driving guitar rhythms.
It will be a grand finale performance to remember, and you will definitely Be Moved!
Additional program and ticket information can be found at www.balletkelowna.ca.
