Open House at Alberta Ballet

THE NAT CHRISTIE BUILDING (ALBERTA BALLET)

Alberta Ballet welcomes visitors into our home, the historic Nat Christie Centre, during Doors Open YYC. Find out how we turned an antique train station into a hub for the arts.  During your tour of our creative studio, you'll step into our wardrobe and get an up close look at the detail and care put into our costumes, as well as why each pair of pointe shoes is as unique as our dancers. As you learn more about Alberta's ballet company, you'll discover why performing art is not just a job or place—it is a way of life.
The Nat Christie Centre:  Designed with a “boomtown baroque” classical facade and style reminiscent of French Canadian architecture, the building was originally used as St. Mary’s parish hall. Erected in 1905 at a cost of $14,304, it housed social, theatrical and athletic activities, as well as regular day classes for Catholic students from 1907-1910.
In 1911, the Canadian Northern Railway purchased the building for $60,000 and utilized it for train transportation; the original tracks can still be seen outside the building heading south.

The City of Calgary acquired the building in 1978 and called for proposals to save it as a heritage site. In 1985, the building was vandalized - burned to a skeleton and for years stood vacant behind a heavy wooden fence.
The Alberta Ballet, looking for a home, undertook the rehabilitation project with help from the Nat Christie Foundation.  No detail was spared to ensure an accurate historical restoration of the building.

Saturday September 29
10 am to 4 pm
Last Entry: 3:45 pm

Sunday September 30
10 am to 4 pm
Last Entry: 3:45 pm

141 - 18th Avenue SW, T2S OB8
www.albertaballet.com

NOTE:  Stairs at the main entrance - handicap access through side door in parking lot but there is an approximate 3 inch step up onto the boardwalk to reach the side door. High heels are not recommended on the boardwalk.

If you love ballet, please check out my season of outstanding ballet trips by clicking here.

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

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