Cape Town City Ballet's Annual Open Day Set for 29 March

Cape Town City Ballet's annual Open Day on Saturday 29 March will once again offer an exciting glimpse behind the tutus, tiaras and pointe shoes of a professional ballet company's day to day activities. For the young ones there is an introduction to stage make-up and everyone can join in the fun with the popular Introduction to Ballet class, open to ages 9 to 90! Highlights of the day will include an open rehearsal of the CTCB's upcoming production of Swan Lake, a lecture demonstration and performance by Zama Dance School and a special fundraising performance of a variety of spectacular short ballets and pas de deux.

The event, hosted at the UCT School of Dance in Rosebank, is presented by the CTCB in association with the UCT School of Dance and the Cape Junior Ballet. Tickets for the action-packed day will go on sale at the door at 9h30.

Visitors can begin their day by watching professional dancers of the CTCB in the Company Class which begins promptly at 10h00 or visit the Cape Junior Ballet (CJB) dancers in a Pre-Professional Classical Ballet Class, including repertoire and coaching.

During the Company Rehearsal the CTCB dancers will be put through their paces in a rehearsal for CTCB's forthcoming production of SWAN LAKE, a not-to-be-missed opportunity to see how one of the world's most beloved ballets takes shape behind the scenes.

Young visitors can participate in several events, which include face painting and stage make-up, as well as experiencing the magic of ballet with beautiful costumes on display. During the popular Introduction to Ballet class, anyone is welcome to join in the fun of a basic beginner's ballet class, dressed as they are.

At 11h15, one the CTCB's outreach partners, ZAMA Dance School, will present a special lecture demonstration on working with young dancers in Gugulethu and perform a tap dance piece called Blurred Lines. The UCT School of Dance will offer a look into the life of a student dancer, with a Contemporary Dance Class, a Spanish Dance Class, as well as an African Dance Class.

Refreshments are available throughout the day and will give visitors the opportunity to rub shoulders with their favourite dancers in a relaxed atmosphere.

Admission of R30 for adults and R20 for children under 13 is available at the door only and includes attendance of all activities except the fundraising performances. For these performances, at 12h30 and 13h30, tickets at R50 will be available at the Friends of CTCB table.

Proceeds from the OPEN DAY support CTCB's Outreach & Development Programmes.

Cape Town City Ballet will present Swan Lake at the Artscape Opera House from 5-20 April. Bookings at COMPUTICKET (tel: 0861 915 8000) or Artscape Dial-a-Seat (tel: 021 421 7695).