Renowned Ballerina Highlights Gala April 7

March 5th, 2006

For immediate release: March 5, 2006

h2. Karen Kain to deliver Keynote Address at Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada Fundraiser

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada: The theme for the Grant Thornton Velvet Gala in support of the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada should probably be “Legends of Ballet”. One of the region’s most elegant and prestigious social events, this year’s Velvet Gala will feature Canada’s most celebrated prima ballerina Karen Kain as keynote speaker. Legendary definitely describes Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet whose Artistic Director has chosen two soloists from the company -- Anastasia Goriacheva and Morihiro Iwata, to perform with the artists of the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada.

The dramatic rise of the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada, now ranked as one of the country’s top ballet companies, is also the stuff of legends. The Gala celebrates the close of the Company’s fourth season which saw another new ballet — Amadeus — created by Artistic Director Igor Dobrovolskiy, a re-mounting of Figaro, and preliminary plans for the national broadcast of last season’s critically acclaimed ballet, Les Portes Tournantes.

“We are definitely in an optimistic mood as this season closes,” said Board Chair Susan Chalmers-Gauvin. “Ms Kain’s participation at the Gala will be another highlight in the company history. We have all worked very hard to build a successful company of high artistic standard and to ensure an Atlantic Canadian presence within the Canadian professional dance community. It is extraordinary how far the Company has come in such a short time.” Our success to date also underlines a recognition of the contribution that Mr. Dobrovolskiy is making to the cultural life of Atlantic Canada and to the world of Canadian dance, “she continued.

The curtain rises on the Velvet Gala Friday, April, 7 pm at the Capitol Theatre, with a reception following at the Delta Beauséjour. Centre-stage as always, will be the remarkable dancers of the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada. Once again this year they will be performing original short pieces choreographed especially for the evening by Mr. Dobrovolskiy. David Moroni, Founding Director of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School and Honorary Patron of the Atlantic Ballet Theatre of Canada will return as Master of Ceremonies.

Gala guests then make the short walk to the Delta Beauséjour where award-winning Chef Stefan Mueller will offer culinary masterpieces created especially for the Gala. On hand to welcome Karen Kain will be Alex MacBeath, CEO and Executive Partner of Grant Thornton Canada and committed supporter of the Atlantic Ballet Theatre.

Admired internationally for her singular performances in a wide range of ballets, Ms. Kain has also come to personify the ongoing commitment to furthering the life and legacy of the arts in Canada. Joining the National Ballet in 1969, she embarked on a remarkable international career which saw her work with of the most illustrious choreographers of her day and dance many of ballet’s greatest roles with some of the world’s finest companies. Recently appointed Artistic Director of the National, she is also Chair of the Canada Council for the Arts. She has received numerous national and international awards, both for her work as a performer and her tireless efforts as an advocate for the arts and cultural development. She is a Companion of the Order of Canada, a recipient of the Cartier Lifetime Achievement Award (the first Canadian to be so honoured) and in 2001 was named an Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Government. In 2002 she received the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Achievement.

“Ms. Kain exemplifies the dedication, commitment and contribution that an artist can bring to the world,” said Mr. Dobrovolskiy. “ Her extraordinary career underscores the fact that art crosses all boundaries, whether they be national, social or political. I know that she will give her audience much to think about,” he continued.

Tickets for the Grant Thornton Velvet Gala on Friday, April 7, at 7 pm are $125. per person with a $75. charitable receipt issued. They can be purchased at the Scotiabank at 780 Main Street or by calling the Gala Line at (506) 862-0356 or online at: atlanticballet@nb.aibn.com.

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