Don Quixote by the National Ballet of Cuba in Vancouver (Feb 16-18, 2012)
As a classically-trained (former) dancer, few things make my heart race faster than the prospect of being able to witness some world-calibre ballet. And few shows have the high caliber of the National Ballet of Cuba, which will be performing Don Quixote from February 16th through 18th, 2012, presented by Brent Belsher in memory of David Hui.
I had an opportunity to talk to Brent Belsher (a Vancouver hard-core dance fan and consultant to the arts community, who was partnering with David YH Lui to bring the National Ballet of Cuba to Vancouver) who shared with me the story of why he decided to still bring the production, in a way a homage to the hard work of David YH Lui who, as indicated by the CBC story, “was a prominent member of the performing arts scene in B.C. for more than 40 years, founding Ballet BC and Dance Spectacular, later replaced by the Dance Alive series.” David mentioned to Brent that he wanted to raise the level of our city’s cultural IQ, and 2 summers ago they decided to start working on bringing this show to Vancouver. The show has the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra providing the musical background, and offers a beautiful spectacle of classical ballet, which they hope Vancouver will embrace.
For me, the mere idea of meeting Alicia Alonso, one of very few worldwide prima ballerina assoluta‘s is a total dream (hopefully, to come true, as Brent told me that they’re of coursehoping she will be able to come to Vancouver accompanying her dancers. You should know that the National Ballet of Cuba is recognized as one of the world’s best classical ballet companies.
The presentation of the National Ballet of Cuba will be a very short affair, and one that I will have a lucky reader attend through a giveaway of a pair of tickets. All you need to do to enter my giveaway is tell me the last time you watched/witnessed ballet. In my case, I recently attended The Nutcracker and I watch at least 10 shows a year.
To gain an additional entry for a total of 2 entries you can post the following on Twitter:
I entered to win tickets to Don Quixote with the National Ballet of Cuba http://is.gd/d7vFZS from @hummingbird604
I will draw a winner on February 12th, at 2pm. You can buy tickets here.
The last ballet I went to was Love Lies Bleeding by the Alberta Ballet this past fall! So good!!
I think I’ve only ever been to one ballet: I saw Romeo and Juliet at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre in the late 1990’s. I did, however, have the pleasure of singing on stage at the Port Theatre in Nanaimo in May 2010 to accompany the modern dance company “Dancers Dancing”. It was thrilling to sing Tormis’ “Helletused” with such passionate action happening on stage at the same time.
I saw a preview of the Goh Ballet Company’s Nutcracker at an event in December, but the last time I saw a full ballet was a number of years ago, and it also was The Nutcracker.
I am so excited this is my second ballet. My girlfriend bought tickets for my 40th. I cannot wait to see these very talleted artist dance with grace across the stage of the Port Theater. I love Nanaimo
The last time I saw a ballet was in the nineties–The Nutcracker at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles.
The last ballet I saw was Ghosts of Violence:
http://sfuwoodwards.ca/index.php/events/details/ghosts-of-violence
Very good too!
I have never seen a live ballet! I need to remedy this.
I am a Ballet teacher for small children, but unfortunately, I do not get to go to many ballets performances . The last ballet performance that I saw was The Nutcracker, on December 2010. The National Ballet of Cuba has a special meaning for me, as I was able to see them perform in Cuba while attending a Ballet Event there while being a student in a Ballet Academy in Mexico. I also saw them perform in mexico City. Alicia Alonso was incredible!!!
I saw Aeriosa at the Scotiabank Dance Centre last year – it was amazing!
Sadly I have never seen a live ballet show.. hoping to change that!
My last ballet was Romeo and Juliet in Germany
Westside story was the last show I saw with dance – we have a lot of young talent out there!
Sadly I have not been to a ballet before. I would be ecstatic if I win this one to experience what a ballet is like. 🙂
Many many years ago — when my ballet teacher sent me to the Nutcracker.
The last time I saw a ballet in person was the Nutcracker when I was very young. I grew up in Saskatchewan and did not have many opportunities to see professional ballet companies, but always longed to be a ballerina. I took ballet classes when I was young, but did not pursue the art. Now as an adult, I look forward to taking adult beginner classes to become stronger and more graceful – after all, ballet is the foundation of most dance.
My 23rd birthday is on the 16th of February, and I would be delighted to win a pair of tickets and attend!
@m_rose89 twitter
The last formal ballet show I saw was the Nutcracker in Victoria about 10 years ago. I’ve seen many other forms of dance since then, but I think it’s about time to see a proper ballet.
The last time I saw ballet was in a movie theatre! Pina in 3D is the closest a movie got to a real live ballet experience. I am a big fan of contemporary dance, and Pina Bausch is high on my list of favorite choreographers. That said, classic ballet is the root of it all and Don Quixote by the National Ballet of Cuba must be exceptional.
I watched the New York City Ballet Company perform the Nutcracker in December, and it was wonderful!
The last live ballet I went to was The Nutcracker when I was maybe 8 or 9! Although, I LOVE ballet and probably the most recent ballet I’ve *seen* has been in various dance movies (Black Swan, Center Stage, etc) and of course the Kanye ‘Runaway’ video. Lol!
The last actual ballet I saw was the Nutcracker a couple years ago done by the Moscow Ballet. I am dying to see Don Quixoite by the National Ballet of Cuba.
I think it was Peter Pan a few years ago.
I have never seen a live ballet show
The last ballet I saw was in December: The Nutcracker @ QE theatre. It was sublime!
I have been to a lot of contemporary shows but never a ballet. This seems like a great opportunity to change that.
I have never been to a ballet before but would love to finally have the opportunity to do so.
The last time I saw ballet was 2 years ago in Moscow. It was the Swan Lake.
UPDATE – The winner is Denise N. Congratulations! Can you shoot me an email to raul(@)hummingbird604(.)com – thanks!
The first and the last time I saw a ballet was a few years back, it was the Nutcracker, and it was amazing. I was really impressed. BTW congrats to the winner 😉