For the first time in many years, the closest professional ballet company to Prince George will be performing in our city.
Ballet Kelowna will tour a set of local schools during the week of their visit, and perform a public showcase at Vanier Hall on Feb. 21.
Tickets go on sale today. It is a co-production of Judy Russell's Encha"nement Dance Centre for sentimental reasons as much as practical ones.
"One of the cast members of Ballet Kelowna is Mark Dennis, we are really proud of him, and this is a big moment for him and his family to be able to perform on his hometown stage," said Russell, his childhood dance instructor.
He is now working under the auspices of Simone Orlando, the artistic director and CEO of Ballet Kelowna.
"As the only professional dance company in B.C.'s Interior, Ballet Kelowna is committed to its role as a leader in the region through encouraging, promoting, and developing Canadian dancers and choreographers," said a statement from the dance organization. "The company performs annually for over 10,000 audience members in Kelowna and on tour, while also providing unique dance training opportunities and outreach programs."
Their visit to Prince George is part of that outreach and public education mandate, and the public performance is a bonus treat for them and the local audience alike.
"We've had a few of our local dancers go on to work with Ballet Kelowna. Before Mark there was Cai Glover and Owen Selkirk," Russell said. "They are coming with a really exciting program. It's called 150 Moves-A Celebration of Canadian Dance, and it does a good job of combining old, very traditional ballet with some modern themes. It will appeal to a really wide range of audiences, I think."
Dennis, now 29, left Prince George in 2002 to train with the National Ballet Company's in-house ballet school and carried on into National Ballet Company apprenticeship following his schooling.
He was also a member of Calgary-based Alberta Ballet, and has had stints with West Australia Ballet in Perth and Northern Ballet in Leeds, England.
Tickets go on sale today at the Central Interior Ticketing desk at Russell's dance centre (3540 Opie Crescent) or online at www.centralinteriortickets.com.
For more information email [email protected] or phone 250-596-0020.
