Ballet Kelowna Smashes Ballet Stereotypes With ‘Breaking Boundaries’
New Season encourages New Audiences
"You can't turn your TV on these days without realizing the remarkable resurgence of dance," says Jamie Maw, the president of Ballet Kelowna. "It's a primetime favourite, but even better, now we can watch that energy and athleticism come alive on our own stage."
Indeed, Ballet Kelowna kicks off its 2011-12 season by smashing the stereotypes of ballet with a mosaic of dances in Breaking Boundaries. "Expect vivid interpretations and lasting impressions," says Artistic Director David LaHay.
LaHay has assembled this collection of performances not only to showcase the talent of Ballet Kelowna's professional corps of dancers but also to encourage "our growing audience that is highly receptive to innovation," he said.
And Breaking Boundaries certainly is innovative.
This year's newest commission, north shore, by Montreal choreographer Shawn Hounsell, is an avant-garde work of intense physicality and passion that challenges the deep and complex music of British composer Gavin Bryars.
Le Blanc, by Paul Destrooper, presents a light-hearted look into an auspicious park bench meeting where a couple meets, flirts and then falls in love.
Combining lyrical and neo-classical choreography, D.A. Hoskins' work gives audiences a modern but sophisticated dance paired with Ralph Vaughan Williams' hauntingly beautiful music in The Lark Ascending.
The timeless and classical choreography of Marius Petipa will mesmerize audiences with its physical and technical demands with an exciting pas de deux from Don Quixote.
And inspired by composer Benjamin Britten's homage to his music teacher Frank Bridge, Lahay has created a new work that sees classical technique made edgier with neo-classical and jazz based nuances.
"I'm so very excited that our dancers are being challenged with this new energy, from some of today's most dynamic and innovative Canadian choreographers," enthuses LaHay. "From the transcendentally uplifting modern choreography of The Lark Ascending to the physically and emotionally demanding movement of north shore, Breaking Boundaries is what today's dance is all about - finding new and relevant ways to explore universal themes."
This year, subscribers will see a full entertainment season with our fall performance, Breaking Boundaries, the ultimate Holiday classic The Nutcracker presented with The Canadian School of Ballet, the opportunity to enjoy Ballet Nacional de Cuba on their North American tour co-presented with the City of Kelowna, and of course, our Spring performance, A Grand Passion.
One of Canada's ten professional dance companies, Ballet Kelowna's mission is to inspire, educate and entertain through the energy and artistry of dance.
