National Ballet of Canada Celebrates Canada's 150th Anniversary

The National Ballet of Canada celebrated Canada's 150th anniversary with two projects: 150 Pointes of Canada and Dance Mosaic: Canada 150. Both were highly successful and were met with enthusiastic response across the country as well as in Toronto's dance community.

Launched in January 2017, 150 Pointes of Canada attracted participation and interest nation-wide. Pointe shoes traveled across Canada, spanning all provinces and territories, to the country's most recognizable landmarks. The National Ballet worked with organizations and individuals to capture 193 images of the pointe shoes in locations that symbolized the Canadian identity, including Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia, Kluane National Park in Yukon Territory, Blachford Lake in Northwest Territories, Calgary Stampede in Alberta, Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan, Royal Canadian Mint in Manitoba, Canada Point on Bylot Island, Nunavut, CN Tower in Toronto, Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Mont Tremblant in Québec, Torngat Mountains National Park in Labrador, Mile 0 of the Marathon of Hope in St. John's, Newfoundland, Hopewell Rocks In New Brunswick, Green Gables Heritage Place in Prince Edward Island and Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

The images are featured in a virtual exhibit on the National Ballet's website and were shared on social media using #150Pointes. Currently, a selection of the images are on display at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto during The Nutcracker performances until December 30, 2017.

The National Ballet is grateful for the 176 donors who engaged with 150 Pointes of Canada to sponsor the photographs of the iconic points. As a result, $31,275 was raised to support the company's commitment to cultural excellence.

Dance Mosaic: Canada 150 took place on Friday, December 8, 2017. The National Ballet invited over 50 organizations to attend a special, free performance of The Nutcracker in honour of Canada's 150th anniversary. Dance Mosaic: Canada 150 celebrated Toronto's vibrant and diverse dance community and welcomed 1,900 participants representing 39 countries, to the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

The audience was encouraged to attend the performance in their traditional dance costumes and a lively celebration of the diversity of dance was seen and felt throughout the theatre. Participating organizations were invited to share short videos and photos of their dance troupe which were posted on the National Ballet's website, shared on social media and were on display in the lobby of the theatre for the performance. Participants included ALCA Latinamerican Alliance for Culture and Arts, Anatolian Folk Dancers of Toronto, Ballet Creole, Ballet Folklorico Puro Mexico, Daugavina Latvian Folk Dance, DESNA, Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company & Academy of Spanish Dance, Hawaiian Pacific Magic, Igranka School of Bulgarian Folk Dances and Traditions, Levendia-X Hellenic Folklore Association, Little Pear Garden Dance Company, Menaka Thakkar Dance Company, Native Canadian Centre of Toronto: ENAGB Youth Program, Norman Dance Company, Nueva Siembre Ecuadorian Folk Dance, The Toronto Thai Dramatic Arts Troupe and the Toronto Morris Men.

For more information about 150 Pointes of Canada and to view submission photos, visit http://national.ballet.ca/Explore/150-Pointes-of-Canada

Photo: Tina Pereira with Dance Mosaic Attendees. Photo by Karolina Kuras.