Ballet Kelowna dancers are back on their toes and preparing to leap into your hearts with their upcoming show, InnOvation, a program designed to celebrate great Canadian choreography. From the poignantly heartbreaking I Remember You, to the joyously uplifting Exsultate, Jubilate, Ballet Kelowna’s spring show will feature the dancers performing pieces that truly showcase their new motto, ‘Excellence in Motion’.
Award winning jazz musician Neville Bowman has created an original score for a brand new ballet, Redux Continuum, choreographed by Ballet Kelowna’s artistic director, David LaHay. “It tells the story of what might happen if the Ballet Master was to leave the classroom,” said LaHay. Each of the dancers are given a chance to shine in what they do best in this piece, set to the innovative original score by Bowman.
Tossing in a dash of humour to the program is #weddingdayproblems by Ballet Kelowna alumna, Raelynn Heppell, set to the song, All I Do Is Cry by vocalist Etta James.
Humour won’t be all that gets ‘tossed’ into the mix. Watch as ballerina Desiree Bortolussi is tossed in the air in a hold-your-breath throw and catch by her partner Jed Duifhuis during the pas de deux from iconic Canadian choreographer Brian Macdonald’s Tam Ti Delam.
Tam Ti Delam holds a special place in LaHay’s heart as he was part of the original cast when Macdonald created the piece on Les Grands Ballets Canadiens. Ballet Kelowna dancers will be wearing the original costumes for this, on loan from Les Grands.
Rounding out the program will be the exquisitely elegant Etude by another of Canada’s great choreographers, Kay Armstrong.
From InnOvation to standing ovation, prepare for an evening of ‘Excellence in Motion’ as Ballet Kelowna dancers take to stages across the province this spring.
• Ballet Kelowna is in Maple Ridge on Sunday March 23. For tickets, visit theactmapleridge.org.