Ballet Kelowna closes its 2014/15 season with two world premieres and one company premiere from some of Canada's leading contemporary ballet choreographers - James Kudelka, Shawn Hounsell and Ballet Kelowna's own Artistic Director and CEO, Simone Orlando - in Forward: A Mixed Repertory Programme, at the Kelowna Community Theatre (1375 Water Street) on April 24 at 7:30pm. The anticipated program will also feature the introduction of Lee Dances - a presentation of excerpts from award-winning works created for the Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award.
"Forward: A Mixed Repertory Programme concludes an extraordinary season for Ballet Kelowna. This performance is a true celebration of the artistic talents of both our country and our company," said Orlando. "The artistry and physicality of Ballet Kelowna's masterly dancers will be on full display in this mixed programme that will undoubtedly showcase the immense possibilities that ballet has to offer." The evening will include the Company premiere of revered Canadian choreographer James Kudelka's Byrd Music. Rich in technical inventiveness and expressive musicality, the work will feature Kudelka's signature mix of ingenious ballet partnering and lyrical interplay. Also on the program, former Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancer and award-winning choreographer Shawn Hounsell, and long-time Ballet BC Principal Dancer and current Ballet Kelowna Artistic Director and CEO, Simone Orlando, will each create a new work to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue and the music of Mozart, respectively. Lastly, the world premiere of Lee Dances will showcase excerpts from three original works - Dedications (2009) by Boston Ballet alumni Heather Myers, Winter Journey (2006) by Orlando, and Creaturehood (1996) by Hounsell - all awarded the prestigious Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award, established in 1978 by The Banff Centre to encourage new creations by emerging Canadian choreographers.Videos