Interview with Jillian Vanstone

National Ballet of Canada's sparkling First Soloist Jillian Vanstone talks about dancing, with rehearsal footage of Balanchine's Theme and Variations with Dylan Tedaldi.

Tripping the light fantastic

Why does "trip the light fantastic" mean "dance"? Check out this link. Come to think of it "tripping the light fantastic" would also be a good name for Tours en l'air Ballet Holidays!

ABT and NYCB May 20-23

CWT VICTOR TRAVEL
101 - 8800 Dufferin Street, Concord, ON L4K 0C5
TICO Ontario registration #1892647
presents
Tours en l'air
Ballet Holidays
escorted by
Canada's Word Lady, Katherine Barber
in support of The National Ballet of Canada

New York

20-23 May 2011

Victoria Day Weekend

4 days, 3 nights

2 ballet performances

Masterpieces by Robbins and Petipa

performed by

New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre

Friday 20 May

Arrive New York; check in to the 3½-star upper West Side Lucerne Hotel. 3-course welcome dinner, then meet an American Ballet Theater dancer who will escort you into the Prime Orchestra area of the Metropolitan Opera theatre auditorium for a 50-minute talk and Q&A about the ballet, ABT, and the dancer's life, before ABT performance: Don Quixote, featuring the Royal Ballet's star ballerina Alina Cojocaru and ABT favourite Jose Carreño (casting subject to change).

Saturday 21 May

Daytime at leisure. Optional afternoon New York City Ballet performance of two Balanchine treasures: the sparkling Divertimento No. 15 – worth the price of admission on its own – and the romantic La Sonnambula, with Christopher Wheeldon's Polyphonia. Includes pre-performance talk. Centre orchestra seat: CA$140.

Evening: Pre-performance three-course dinner, then meet an NYCB dancer, who will give you a 50-minute tour of the David H. Koch theatre stage and answer questions about the performance, NYCB, and his or her career. Immediately pre-performance and in the intermissions you can also attend an informative “First Position” discussion. New York City Ballet: Comedy, sensuality, lyricism, and fun – the genius of Jerome Robbins at his diverse best: Interplay, Afternoon of a Faun, Antique Epigraphs, The Concert

Sunday 22 May

Day at leisure.

Monday 23 May

Morning: Visit to New York City Ballet costume shop.

Check out of hotel and depart New York late afternoon.

Total Package CA$1499 per person based on double occupancy

Single supplement: CA$400

All prices valid till 28 March 2011

REGISTRATION AND DEPOSIT DUE DATE: 28 MARCH 2011

LAND-ONLY PACKAGE allows you the flexibility of arranging travel from your most convenient departure point, on the dates and times you prefer. CWT Victor Travel's experienced agents will be happy to assist you. Group airfare, including transfers between LaGuardia airport and the Lucerne Hotel, (CA$775) is available for Toronto departure (minimum 10 passengers).

Package price includes:

Premium centre orchestra seats for 2 ballet performances

Pre-performance talk by an NYCB dancer

Pre-performance talk by an ABT dancer

“First Position” discussion before NYCB performance

3 nights double share accommodation in the

Lucerne Hotel

2 three-course dinners

Visit to New York City Ballet costume shop

Tax-receiptable donation of CA$100 to The National Ballet of Canada

Hotel porterage

Ballet enrichment notes and informal post-performance reviews with tour leader

All taxes, service fees, and surcharges

Not included:

Airfare

Items of a personal nature, e.g. telephone calls

Meals and transfers not specifically mentioned in this itinerary

Tickets to performances listed as optional in this itinerary

Beverages with meals

Cancellation and hospital/medical insurance

Terms and Conditions:

Non-refundable payment in full of CA$1499 per person is required at time of registration, no later than 29 March 2011.** Single supplement, optional Saturday afternoon ballet ticket (CA$140), and optional airfare (transfers between LGA and Lucerne Hotel included) of CA$775, and optional cancellation and hospital/medical insurance also payable at this time.

All cancellations must be received in writing at CWT Victor Travel to the attention of Lucy Nati (lucy@cwtvictortravel.ca).

RBC out-of-province health insurance and trip cancellation insurance are available through CWT Victor Travel and STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Price will vary according to birthdate. Premium must accompany payment for the package and is non-refundable.

For more information: toursenlair@cwtvictortravel.ca or 416.631.3125

GET MORE BALLET OUT OF LIFE WITH TOURS EN L'AIR

Check out our Upcoming Ballet Trips page

for more fabulous escorted vacations for ballet lovers

**The payment is fully refundable in the event of cancellation of the trip by the travel agent.

A Day in the Life of a Dancer in 2:30 minutes

Dutch National Ballet has fabulous videos. Go check out their YouTube channel. Here's just one of them, which covers a dancer's day from class to performance.

NYCB in Saratoga

We have a very exciting trip to Saratoga Springs planned for July. Here's the brochure:

Saratoga Springs, NY July 15 – 17, 2011: 3 performances

THIS TRIP IS NOW SOLD OUT

New York City Ballet: Dances at a Gathering, Circus Polka (both Robbins),

Valse-Fantaisie, Agon, Apollo, Serenade, Jewels (all Balanchine), The Magic Flute (Martins)

CWT Victor Travel

101 - 8800 Dufferin Street, Concord, ON L4K 0C5

TICO Ontario registration #1892647

presents

Tours en l'air

Ballet Holidays

escorted by

Canada's Word Lady, Katherine Barber

in support of The National Ballet of Canada

New York City Ballet

in

Saratoga Springs, NY

15-17 July 2011

3 days, 2 nights

3 ballet performances

Masterpieces by Balanchine and Robbins

Friday 15 July

Arrive Saratoga Springs, New York; check in to the 3-star Hilton Garden Inn, conveniently located a 5-minute drive from the Saratoga Performing Arts Centre in Saratoga State Park. Evening: 3-course welcome dinner at the majestic Hall of Springs restaurant and pre-performance talk. New York City Ballet performance of Valse-Fantaisie, Agon (both Balanchine), Circus Polka, Dances at a Gathering (both Robbins)

Saturday 16 July

Morning at leisure. Suggested activities: explore the charming spa town of Saratoga Springs, have an effervescent mineral bath at the Roosevelt Baths about two minutes walk from the entrance to the theatre, enjoy a round of golf or a walk in the lovely park, or visit the special American Ballet Theatre exhibit and other displays at the National Museum of Dance and Dance Hall of Fame, a short walk from the hotel on the way to the theatre. Optional (subject to availability, class size limited to 15, cost $25): participate in a “Dance with the Dancers” one-hour ballet class (10–11 a.m.) taught by New York City Ballet dancer Andrew Scordato (dancer subject to change), in which you will learn a combination from the NYCB rep. No previous ballet experience required.

Afternoon: pre-performance talk and New York City Ballet performance of Apollo, Serenade (both Balanchine), Circus Polka (Robbins), and The Magic Flute (Martins).

Evening: three-course dinner and pre-performance talk, then New York City Ballet performance of Jewels (Balanchine).

Sunday 17 July

Check out of hotel. Depart Saratoga Springs at your convenience.

For more information: toursenlair@gmail.com or 416.693.4496

REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT DUE DATE: 29 MARCH 2011

Total package CA$699 per person ($675 for payment by cash or cheque),

based on double occupancy standard room (one king or two double beds)

Single supplement: CA$200

Supplement for upgrade to junior suite with king bed:

CA$100 per person based on double occupancy

All prices valid till 29 March 2011

You have the flexibility of arranging travel at your own convenience.

Return group transport by luxury washroom-equipped coach from Toronto and Belleville available ($200). Includes transfers between hotel and theatre in Saratoga.

Minimum 15 passengers required.

Package price includes:

Premium (front centre orchestra or front centre balcony) seats for 3 ballet performances

3 pre-performance talks

2 nights double-share accommodation in the Hilton Garden Inn with daily hot and cold breakfast buffet

2 three-course dinners with coffee, tea, and soft drinks

Tax-receiptable donation of CA$50 to The National Ballet of Canada

Free parking at hotel and theatre

Ballet enrichment notes and informal post-performance reviews with tour leader

All taxes, service fees, and surcharges

Not included:

Transportation to and from Saratoga Springs

Transfers between hotel and theatre unless travelling with the group coach

Items of a personal nature, e.g. telephone calls

Meals and transfers not specifically mentioned in this itinerary

Alcoholic beverages with meals

“Dance with the Dancers” ballet class

Admission to National Museum of Dance

Suggested activities for the morning of Saturday 16 July

Cancellation and hospital/medical insurance

Terms and Conditions:

Non-refundable payment in full of CA$699 per person is required at time of registration, no later than 29 March 2011.** Single supplement, payment for optional “Dance with the Dancers” class, coach fare, room upgrade, and optional cancellation and hospital/medical insurance also payable at this time.

All cancellations must be received in writing at CWT Victor Travel to the attention of Lucy Nati (lucy@cwtvictortravel.ca).

RBC out-of-province health insurance and trip cancellation insurance are available through CWT Victor Travel and STRONGLY RECOMMENDED. Price will vary according to birthdate. Premium must accompany payment for the package and is non-refundable.

BALLET MAKES LIFE BETTER

GET MORE BALLET OUT OF LIFE WITH TOURS EN L'AIR

**The payment is fully refundable in the event of cancellation of the trip by the travel agent.

UPDATE: This trip is now sold out.

Tendu derriere father and son

adorable picture of Birmingham Royal Ballet principal dancer Iain MacKay and his young son in this issue of Dancing Times (click the link, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and click on the second photo from the left)