Presented by Dirk Badenhorst, the CEO and Founder of the biennial South African International Ballet Competition (SAIBC), in association with Artscape and supported by South African Tourism, the highly anticipated SAIBC Galas in Cape Town and Johannesburg and once-off Ballet in the Bush performance in Limpopo will showcase thrilling ballet variations, pas de deux and neo classical works. Performed by a stellar company of top professional dancers from South Africa, Russia, Spain, Mongolia, Armenia, the USA, Belarus, Cuba, Egypt and Mexico, the stars performing include ballerina Maria Rudenko (pictured) partnered by Artemiy Pyzhov, Monier Javier Jouve, Anujin Otgontugs, Hassan Eltabie, Mariam Karapetyan, Jonhal Fernandez, Lissi Baez, Dzianis Klimuk, and our own Angela Malan and Andile Ndlovu.

Audiences can look forward to spectacular pas de deux and solos from Giselle, Swan Lake (Black Swan and White Swan pas de deux), as well as Paquita and Le Corsaire. Renowned South African choreographer Adele Blank will also create a new piece that will enjoy its world premiere at Artscape on 2 September 2017.

Says Dirk Badenhorst, “I’ve always believed in the role of Arts and in particular ballet can play in bringing South Africans and the world together, and started calling it Ballet Diplomacy, but in this exciting partnership with SA Tourism, we are taking it one step further and now it also becomes Ballet Tourism, with outstanding dancers from around the world becoming Ambassadors for this beautiful country”.

The SAIBC International Ballet Gala takes place in four venues in Cape Town and Johannesburg, as follows:

Artscape Theatre on 2 September at 8pm and 3 September at 2pm and 6pm.

In Gauteng at Mountain Cambridge School in Hartebeespoort on 5 September at 7pm,

In Johannesburg at the Mosaiek Teatro in Fairland on 7 September at 8pm,

At the Legend Golf and Safari Resort in Limpopo on 9 September at 7pm .

Tickets for performances at Artscape and the Mosaiek Theatres are through Computicket and cost from R120 – R395. For tickets & workshop info in Hartebeespoort, call Dirk Badenhorst on 0833240940, and for Ballet in the Bush at Legends, email reservations@legendlodges.co.za or call 0124436700.

The post International Ballet Gala appeared first on Stage and Screen.

Reciprocating Joburg Ballet’s visit to China for the Year of South Africa in China in 2014, 21 dancers from the Liaoning Ballet of China arrive in Johannesburg early in April to join forces with Joburg Ballet for the grandest production of Swan Lake yet seen in South Africa.

Swan Lake is presented by Joburg Ballet and the Liaoning Ballet of China, supported by SA’s Department of Arts and Culture, China’s Ministry of Culture and the Year of China in South Africa initiative.

The combination of Joburg Ballet, the Liaoning Ballet, guest stars from Cuba and the US as well as additional dancers appearing in this production brings together an impressive 80 dancers for Swan Lake.

The Liaoning Ballet of China, founded in 1980, is one of China’s major ballet companies, blending a strong classical technique and repertoire – including Swan Lake, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Giselle,The Sleeping Beauty and Spartacus – with ballets based on Chinese themes. The company tours extensively and destinations have included Europe, Australia, Japan, Cuba, Russia and Canada. Although only part of the Liaoning Ballet is coming to South Africa, the company has a roster of 64 dancers.

The 21 dancers from the Liaoning Ballet will appear alongside Joburg Ballet’s dancers in principal, soloist and corps de ballet roles, with two performances during the season (Sunday 19 April at 3pm and Saturday 25 April at 7.30pm) featuring principal dancers from the Liaoning Ballet in the leading roles of Odette-Odile and the Prince.

Commenting on the partnership with the Liaoning Ballet, Joburg Ballet CEO Dirk Badenhorst said the 21 dancers coming from China are symbolic of the 21 years of democracy being celebrated this year in South Africa. He added: “We are honoured to be partnering with the contingent of dancers from the Liaoning Ballet to mark the Year of China in South Africa. Our ties with the international ballet community, and in this case with the Liaoning Ballet, help us to achieve ever higher standards in our vision of presenting Joburg Ballet as a world class African ballet company.”

Dirk Badenhorst said that the concept of Ballet Diplomacy is central to SA’s arts and culture scenario in general and classical ballet in particular: “The art of dance acts as a tool to strengthen the ties and friendships between nations and cements lasting bilateral relations. Ballet diplomacy works towards defining dance as a universal language, breaking down boundaries, uniting cultures, languages and backgrounds and harnessing dance as a tool for transition and a vehicle for change and transformation.”

Artistic director of Joburg Ballet, Iain MacDonald, said the company looks forward to welcoming the dancers from the Liaoning Ballet, adding: “China is now producing superb classical dancers, among the best in the world, and the fact that dancers from China, Cuba, Brazil, the United States, South Africa and elsewhere will be sharing the stage in Swan Lake in testament to classical ballet’s global reach and international appeal.”

On a visit to Joburg Ballet in Johannesburg last week, China’s Minister of Culture, Mr Luo Shugang, told China Central Television: “Through ballet, China and South Africa can exchange this art and have corporate interaction. This way we can not only enhance the cultural relations between the two countries but also enhance our friendship, because in such mutual learning lies the strength that binds us culturally. In China we say that culture serves as a bridge that links two nations and that the arts can convey the goodwill feelings towards each other. Ballet is further strengthening our countries’ bilateral relations.”

In addition to the dancers from China, Joburg Ballet will also be welcoming prima ballerina Viengsay Valdés from Cuba and US ballet star Brooklyn Mack from the Washington Ballet to Johannesburg for Swan Lake.

Reciprocating Joburg Ballet’s visit to China for the Year of South Africa in China in 2014, 21 dancers from the Liaoning Ballet of China arrive in Johannesburg early in April to join forces with Joburg Ballet for the grandest production of Swan Lake yet seen in South Africa.

Swan Lake is presented by Joburg Ballet and the Liaoning Ballet of China, supported by SA’s Department of Arts and Culture, China’s Ministry of Culture and the Year of China in South Africa initiative.

The combination of Joburg Ballet, the Liaoning Ballet, guest stars from Cuba and the US as well as additional dancers appearing in this production brings together an impressive 80 dancers for Swan Lake.

The Liaoning Ballet of China, founded in 1980, is one of China’s major ballet companies, blending a strong classical technique and repertoire – including Swan Lake,Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty and Spartacus – with ballets based on Chinese themes. The company tours extensively and destinations have included Europe, Australia, Japan, Cuba, Russia and Canada. Although only part of the Liaoning Ballet is coming to South Africa, the company has a roster of 64 dancers.

The 21 dancers from the Liaoning Ballet will appear alongside Joburg Ballet’s dancers in principal, soloist and corps de ballet roles, with two performances during the season (Sunday 19 April at 3pm and Saturday 25 April at 7.30pm) featuring principal dancers from the Liaoning Ballet in the leading roles of Odette-Odile and the Prince.

Commenting on the partnership with the Liaoning Ballet, Joburg Ballet CEO Dirk Badenhorst said the 21 dancers coming from China are symbolic of the 21 years of democracy being celebrated this year in South Africa. He added: “We are honoured to be partnering with the contingent of dancers from the Liaoning Ballet to mark the Year of China in South Africa. Our ties with the international ballet community, and in this case with the Liaoning Ballet, help us to achieve ever higher standards in our vision of presenting Joburg Ballet as a world class African ballet company.”

Dirk Badenhorst said that the concept of Ballet Diplomacy is central to SA’s arts and culture scenario in general and classical ballet in particular: “The art of dance acts as a tool to strengthen the ties and friendships between nations and cements lasting bilateral relations. Ballet diplomacy works towards defining dance as a universal language, breaking down boundaries, uniting cultures, languages and backgrounds and harnessing dance as a tool for transition and a vehicle for change and transformation.”

Artistic director of Joburg Ballet, Iain MacDonald, said the company looks forward to welcoming the dancers from the Liaoning Ballet, adding: “China is now producing superb classical dancers, among the best in the world, and the fact that dancers from China, Cuba, Brazil, the United States, South Africa and elsewhere will be sharing the stage in Swan Lake in testament to classical ballet’s global reach and international appeal.”

On a visit to Joburg Ballet in Johannesburg last week, China’s Minister of Culture, Mr Luo Shugang, told China Central Television: “Through ballet, China and South Africa can exchange this art and have corporate interaction. This way we can not only enhance the cultural relations between the two countries but also enhance our friendship, because in such mutual learning lies the strength that binds us culturally. In China we say that culture serves as a bridge that links two nations and that the arts can convey the goodwill feelings towards each other. Ballet is further strengthening our countries’ bilateral relations.”

In addition to the dancers from China, Joburg Ballet will also be welcoming prima ballerina Viengsay Valdés from Cuba and US ballet star Brooklyn Mack from the Washington Ballet to Johannesburg for Swan Lake.

SWAN LAKE 2015 : 17 April – 3 May 2015

 Book only at joburgtheatre.com | 0861 670 670

The post Chinese Ballet in Swan Lake appeared first on Stage and Screen.

For the first time Joburg Ballet brings to life the ultimate classic, SWAN LAKE, danced by Joburg Ballet’s own stars,  21 stars from Liaoning Ballet of China, National Ballet of Cuba’s prima ballerina, Viengsay Valdes, and Washington Ballet’s star male dancer, Brooklyn Mack.

This world class production will mesmerise audiences at the Joburg Theatre and in Bloemfontein in a celebration of dance at its best.

Cuban prima ballerina Viengsay Valdes and US ballet star Brooklyn Mack are set to galvanise South African audiences like nothing before when the two international superstars come to Johannesburg to dance the leading roles in Joburg Ballet’s Swan Lake in April and May 2015.

Liaoning Ballet of China and Joburg Ballet build on their dynamic partnership after Joburg Ballet’s successful tour to China in 2014 in a collaboration that will mark this season of the ultimate classic as the grandest Swan Lake production ever seen in South Africa. China’s best principal, soloist and corps de ballet dancers flock to Johannesburg to fill the stages of Joburg Theatre and Bloemfontein’s Sand du Plessis with an impressive cast of more than 80 dancers from across the world.

A tale of love triumphant over the forces of evil, Joburg Ballet’s SWAN LAKE is ballet at its most sublime, an event of classical beauty, and an expression of shimmering perfection.

SWAN LAKE with Joburg Ballet, National Ballet of Cuba, Washington Ballet and Liaoning Ballet of China will act as an inspirational programme of cultural-interchange between nations and represent the power of diplomacy through the arts. This initiative will serve as the most integrated ballet production in the history of South Africa and will work as a tool to promote cross cultural and international unity whilst strengthening ties between nations.

This magnificent production allows Joburg Ballet to contribute back to the children of South Africa through workshops and classes with international guest artists through the Joburg Ballet Cuban School development programme. This initiative works to develop the ballet training of all children with a focus on historically disadvantaged youth. Through these experiences, audiences and partnering organisations help provide valuable training to help uplift the youth of South Africa.

SWAN LAKE 2015 : 17 April – 3 May 2015

 Book only at joburgtheatre.com | 0861 670 670

The post Swan Lake appeared first on Stage and Screen.