Ballet Kelowna Announces 2011/12 Season

(KELOWNA, BC) -- Ballet Kelowna, one of Canada’s young and dynamic professional ballet companies, is pleased to announce their 2011/12 season. David LaHay, the company’s artistic director, notes that the season includes a wide range of styles, in keeping with Ballet Kelowna’s mandate to provide “inno-classical” ballet. In addition to the company’s tour schedule, the Kelowna performances are now available by subscription through www.SelectYourTickets.com. Call Select Your Tickets at (250) 762 5050 or go in person to the Prospera Place Box Office on Water St., Kelowna.

‘Breaking Boundaries’ opens the Kelowna season on Friday, October 14 at 7:30 pm, with a repeat matinee performance on Saturday, October 15 at 2:00 pm. This production captures the moments in time that leave lasting impressions. The timeless and classical choreography of Marius Petipa enchants with its physical grandeur and inspirational technical demands. ‘Le Banc’, by Paul Destrooper, presents a humorous and whimsical glimpse into passing youthful fancies as couples meet, flirt and fall in love. D. A. Hoskins’ work combines lyrical, neo-classical choreography with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ hauntingly beautiful music in ‘Lark Ascending’. Also included in the repertoire is a yet to be developed Ballet Kelowna commissioned work.

There is no better-loved holiday classical ballet than the perennial favourite, ‘The Nutcracker’. Filled with fantasy and magic, it has captivated generations of families around the world making it a seasonal tradition. Ballet Kelowna is again joining forces with the Canadian School of Ballet to present this charming production, and welcomes audiences to share the joy and wonder with their families on Friday, December 9 at 7:30 pm and Saturday, December 10 at 2:00 pm.

Ballet Kelowna is delighted, along with co-presenters, the City of Kelowna and the Kelowna Community Theatre, to announce the Stars of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba on Saturday February 11 at 7:30 pm and Sunday February 12 at 2:00 pm.

Through the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, Alicia and Fernando Alonso have created a uniquely Cuban style of dance, including a strong choreographic movement with works that rank among the most significant achievements of contemporary choreography. Earning worldwide acclaim, the Ballet Nacional de Cuba has performed in over 60 countries and has received many international awards. Under the leadership of the renowned Alicia Alonso who, at age 88 is still at the helm, Ballet Nacional ranks as one of the great ballet companies in the world today.

From the great ballet traditions of the 19th Century, through the sultry tango bars of Argentina, to the most impassioned and tragic love story of all time, Ballet Kelowna takes audiences on a passionate journey through ballet history with ‘A Grand Passion’ on Friday, April 27 at 7:30 pm and Saturday April 28 at 2:00 pm. Argentine composer Astor Piazzola’s exciting and vibrant music is the inspiration for ‘Tangazzo’, an intoxicating look into the seductive dance of love and passion. ‘Romeo and Juliet Appassionata’, set to Tchaikovsky’s soaring and powerful music, is a condensed version of the familiar tale of star-crossed young lovers. To complete the program, a new ballet, sure to captivate, will be commissioned from one of Canada’s acclaimed choreographers.

Finally, Ballet Kelowna is thrilled to perform with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra in a new ballet choreographed to the music of ‘Falcon's Trumpet’, a soaring work by renowned Canadian composer R. Murray Schafer.  Originally commissioned by the Vernon District and Performing Arts Centre, this extraordinary piece is performed in surround-sound with the musicians situated throughout the theatre while the Ballet Kelowna professional dancers perform on stage on October 21 at 7:30 pm at the Kelowna Community Theatre.  

Subscriptions are now available for the 2011/12 season through Select Your Tickets, 250 717 5304, www.SelectYourTickets.com, or at the Box Office at the Rotary Centre for the Arts in Kelowna.

Current subscribers have until July 1^st to reserve their preferred seats and all subscriptions received by July 1^st will be automatically entered to win a $1000 gift card from Orchard Park Shopping Centre. Ballet Kelowna subscribers receive many benefits including up to 27% off regular ticket price, priority ticketing for Stars of the Ballet Nacional de Cuba, optimum seating and same seat renewal for 2012/13 season. Subscribers will also receive the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s subscriber rate for ‘Falcon’s Trumpet’. For details, please visit www.BalletKelowna.ca.

One of Canada’s professional dance companies, Ballet Kelowna’s mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through the energy and artistry of ballet. Capturing the entertainment interest of all members of the family, Ballet Kelowna performs to sold out audiences and enhances the image of ballet, making the art form more inviting, fun and personally meaningful.  Proudly ‘Made in Kelowna’ this boutique ‘inno-classical’ ballet company is a dedicated community partner.