Joburg Ballet

Joburg Ballet receives generous funding from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund in support of the company’s Development Programme.  But even before the ballet season opens on 4 March, the Joburg Ballet has already been hard at work in 2014, hosting for the second consecutive year a visit by MBA students from Harvard Business School’s Field Immersion Experiences for Leadership Development.

The visit gave Joburg Ballet access to global business best practice with the focus on maximising marketing strategies and broadening revenue possibilities.

 Looking ahead in 2014, some selected highlights of the Joburg Ballet calendar include:

14 February:   Valentine’s Day performance at Hyde Park Corner

15 February:   Open Day: Coppélia / Celebration 6; Joburg Theatre, book on 011-877 6898

8 March:    Friends of the Ballet: Pre-performance talk for Coppélia / Joburg Theatre

13 March:   Caxton Awards / Joburg Theatre (Private Event)

3-24 March:   Coppélia / Celebration 6; Joburg Theatre; 11 and 2 performances respectively

25-29 March:   Coppélia; Presented by PACOFS; Sand du Plessis Theatre, Bloemfontein

12-17 May:   Joburg Ballet performs in Knysna in Aid of Hospice

24-29 June:   Joburg Ballet performs in Gaborone, Botswana

30 June-5 July:   Joburg Ballet Winter School, Johannesburg

23 August:   Open Day: La Bayadère / The Nutcracker; Joburg Theatre, book on 011-877 6898

13 September:   Friends of the Ballet: Pre-performance talk for La Bayadère / Joburg Theatre

and also to look forward to towards the end of the year:   La Bayadére / The Nutcracker season: Joburg Theatre

Joburg Ballet and 67 Blankets for Madiba Day

Joburg Ballet partners with 67 Blankets for Madiba Day and celebrates the spirit of Nelson Mandela in a drive to honour the legacy of Madiba. Stitch by stitch this initiative, created by Joburg Ballet patron Carolyn Steyn, aims to sew bundles of blankets for charity and help those in need keep warm this winter. This global project, reaching many countries on several continents around the world, will be joined by the dancers, staff, friends and fans of Joburg Ballet at extended knitting events at the Open Day on 15 February and between performances on 15 March.

The people of Gauteng are invited to join the stars of Joburg Ballet as well as other South African celebrities and well-known personalities for group knitting sessions on two occasions filled with light entertainment and goodwill. On 15 February audiences can experience a unique behind-the-scenes look into the making of a classical ballet as Joburg Ballet dancers weave their way through Open Day rehearsals with knitting forming a part of their daily routine during breaks and stretching.

The Mandela at Joburg Theatre on 15 March during the season of Coppelia, will then transform into one of the largest gatherings of knitters in South Africa simultaneously sewing up a storm to create as many woven warmers in 60 minutes between matinee and evening performances. The public are encouraged to donate balls of wool and knitting needles. All are welcome to participate, socialise with the stars of Coppelia and other guest artists and enjoy the live entertainment during this cause worthy knit-athon.

Joburg Ballet welcomes all first-time knitters and experienced knit enthusiasts to be part of this global movement to give back to our communities.  Wrap up this winter in the company of Joburg Ballet and spread the warmth through woolly warmers and sizzling ballet.

 Joburg Ballet can be assured that Stage and Screen will visit the Joburg Theatre on the 15th of February!  Well Done!