Royal Ballet Artistic Director candidates

Interesting article speculating about who will be the Royal Ballet's new artistic director here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2011/apr/18/royal-ballet-future-artistic-director-jennings

Festival des arts de Saint-Sauveur

The lovely Laurentians are the backdrop to a dance festival July 28 to August 4. On the program this year are:
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet

a group of soloists from Royal Swedish Ballet,

3e etage, a group of soloists from the Paris Opera Ballet whose trailer you will love:


Gauthier Dance from Stuttgart, directed by Canadian Eric Gauthier (a graduate of the National Ballet School), which has become wildly popular for its entertaining pieces in the few years of its existence


For some very interesting background on Gauthier's work visit their website:
http://www.theaterhaus.com/theaterhaus/index.php?id=1,2,208


I am not planning a group trip this year (unless 20 of you suddenly announce you want to go) but I am going to check it out so that I can plan one for next year. For information, visit the festival's website at http://www.fass.ca/fass_2011/fr/spectsalle.php
Meanwhile I do have some more juicy trips up my sleeve for fall and winter. Stay tuned!

BALLET MAKES LIFE BETTER

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

Secrets of the Flesh

National Ballet of Canada Principal Dancer Aleksandar Antonijevic has a new photo exhibit opening May 5, featuring pictures of other NBOC dancers. For details, click on the "Toronto Ballet and Dance Outings" tab.

What's on in ballet

Check out the "What's on in ballet" tab for a master calendar of all the major ballet companies' performances in the coming year.

And they say FRENCH is the language of ballet...

Two dancers in the Ballet du Capitole (Toulouse) talk about dancing Balanchine:
"c'est un challenge ! »

"On doit être très attentif, techniquement et physiquement au top »

Ah, la langue de Molière....

Berlin, Dresden, and Prague Sat. 31 March – Tuesday 10 April, 2012 (Easter is 8 April)

3 performances

Berlin State Ballet: Romeo & Juliet (Cranko), Gala-style mixed program (excerpts, pas de deux)

Dresden Semperoper Ballet: Coppelia (Balanchine)

day trip to Prague

This is the latest addition to my 2011-12 offerings. Everyone who has been to Berlin raves about it.
If you want to see what the ballet company, now under artistic director Vladimir Malakhov, looks like, here's a trailer for their Onegin:

and here's another one with William Forsythe's very cool Vertiginous Thrill of Exactitude:

Dresden has been magnificently restored, and the ballet company there, under their Canadian artistic director Aaron Watkin, has been getting stellar reviews. Here is a clip about their Coppelia (voiceover is in German, but visuals are good):

We would stay 7 nights in Berlin and 3 in Dresden, with a day trip to beautiful Prague, which is only 2 hours from Dresden. Don't worry if you don't speak German; both cities get a lot of tourists, and I do speak German.

This trip would have to be finalized in October, so I need to get planning soon if I know there is sufficient interest. Please get in touch if you are interested.

National Ballet of Canada to perform at Sadler's Wells

Karen Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, today announced that the company will perform in London, England at Sadler’s Wells. The National Ballet will perform Alexei Ratmansky’s new production of Romeo and Juliet April 16 – 21, 2013, which makes its world premiere on November 16, 2011 in Toronto.

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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Word Lady

In addition to organizing all these wonderful treats for ballet lovers, I am "Canada's Word Lady", an expert on language usage and history. If you are fascinated by the English language, head over to my other blog, katherinebarber.blogspot.com
where you will find Word of the Week word histories, weekly columns about English usage, and more.

BRITISH BALLET BARGAIN!

Birmingham Royal Ballet is a fantastic company with a wonderful repertoire, both deserving to be better known. The two programs they are offering in February 2012 are guaranteed to warm the cockles of your heart (a perfect Valentine's gift!). This could be booked as early as this May.

AND IT'S A BARGAIN!

It looks like a trip could be done for about $2,000Cdn per person double occupancy (in addition, airfare to Birmingham from Toronto is currently about $1200, but as always these trips are not just for people from Toronto; you can join in from anywhere). All prices are just estimates for now, and it could be possibly less for a larger group. For this, you would get:

• 6 nights (February 24-March 1) with breakfast in a comfortable 3-star hotel located 2 minutes walk from the theatre and 2 minutes walk from the train station

• Frederick Ashton's Daphnis and Chloe (to Ravel's shimmering score) and his intensely romantic Two Pigeons, which, the first time I saw it (danced, in fact, by BRB), left me with what can only be described as a literal warm fuzzy feeling, as the entire audience at the Met in New York leapt to their feet and roared their approval. Watch this rehearsal video of the heart-melting final reconciliation pas de deux with BRB' s Robert Parker and Nao Sakuma and you will understand! http://www.brb.org.uk/Pigeons-studio-2009.html

• David Bintley's comic masterpiece Hobson's Choice, about a feisty young woman defying her father to marry a poor shoemaker. You can see a clip here:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYq0txUC-2w

• 2 three-course dinners

• day trip by private coach through the beautiful Cotswolds, stopping to visit some picturesque villages, to Blenheim Palace, home of the Dukes of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill

• day trip by train to Oxford with guided walking tour of the colleges and gardens and Inspector Morse's favourite pubs, and the otherworldly experience of evensong sung by one of the renowned college choirs

Birmingham itself has an excellent art gallery with one of the world's finest collections of pre-Raphaelite art, a town hall that looks like a Greek temple, a renowned symphony orchestra, a fascinating jewellery museum, pleasant canal district and botanical garden, and, as home to the international headquarters of Cadbury, a chocolate museum! Stratford-upon-Avon is less than an hour away. The pretty cathedral town of Worcester is a short train ride away through the picturesque Malvern Hills. You can even pop up to London in two hours.

All comments and suggestions welcome! Please let me know if it appeals (as usual, I am not asking for a commitment, just trying to gauge the amount of interest so that I can proceed to the costing).

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)