LSM Newswire

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Casse-Noisette est de retour en direct et en haute dˆ©finition dans les cinˆ©mas Cineplex Divertissement


La production Casse-Noisette du Ballet national du Canada est de retour en direct et en haute dˆ©finition en exclusivitˆ© dans 79 cinˆ©mas Cineplex Divertissement

Toronto, ON ’Äì 2 dˆ©cembre 2008 (TSX: CGX.UN). ˆÄ la suite du trˆ®s grand succˆ®s de la toute premiˆ®re diffusion de la production Casse-Noisette du Ballet national du Canada, Casse-Noisette en direct et en haute dˆ©finition (HD) est de retour en exclusivitˆ© dans encore plus de cinˆ©mas Cineplex Divertissement partout au pays. Cette reprˆ©sentation unique du ballet Casse-Noisette sera diffusˆ©e dans les cinˆ©mas Cineplex Divertissement participants le 13 dˆ©cembre 2008 ˆÝ 14 h HNE. La prˆ©vente de billets a dˆ©butˆ© en ligne sur cineplex.com et ˆÝ la billetterie des cinˆ©mas participants.

¬´ Je suis trˆ®s fiˆ®re de pouvoir partager notre production de Casse-Noisette avec les Canadiens et Canadiennes partout au pays. Cette annˆ©e, encore plus de cinˆ©mas y participent, et nous pourrons faire dˆ©couvrir cette grande tradition des fˆ�tes ˆÝ un nombre encore plus grand de familles, ¬ª a affirmˆ© Karen Kain, directrice artistique.

¬´ Nous sommes trˆ®s heureux de prˆ©senter cette annˆ©e encore Casse-Noisette aux spectateurs de nos cinˆ©mas partout au Canada, ¬ª a affirmˆ© Pat Marshall, vice-prˆ©sidente, Communications et relations avec les investisseurs, Cineplex Divertissement. ¬´ Le ballet Casse-Noisette est une tradition des fˆ�tes que le plus de gens possibles devraient avoir la chance de dˆ©couvrir. Nous avons ajoutˆ© des cinˆ©mas afin de rendre ce spectacle le plus accessible possible. ¬ª

Casse-Noisette en direct et en haute dˆ©finition est un partenariat entre le Ballet national du Canada, Cineplex Divertissement et Bravo!. ˆÄ la suite de la diffusion le 13 dˆ©cembre, Casse-Noisette sera prˆ©sentˆ© sur les ondes de Bravo! ˆÝ une date ultˆ©rieure qui sera annoncˆ©e sous peu.

Casse-Noisette en direct et en haute dˆ©finition est rendue possible grˆ¢ce ˆÝ TD Waterhouse, et ˆÝ la participation financiˆ®re additionnelle de John et Claudine Bailey.

Le ballet Casse-Noisette sera filmˆ© au Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts de Toronto, au moyen de six camˆ©ras en haute dˆ©finition, et sera diffusˆ© en direct dans des cinˆ©mas partout au Canada, y compris les 11 cinˆ©mas suivants du Quˆ©bec :

Cinˆ©ma Cineplex Odeon Brossard

9350, boul. Leduc

Brossard, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Colisˆ©e Kirkland

3200, rue Jean-Yves

Kirkland, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Cineplex Odeon Quartier Latin

350, rue ˆâmery

Montrˆ©al, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Cineplex Odeon Beauport

825, rue Clemenceau

Beauport, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Galaxy Sherbrooke

4204, boul. Bertrand-Fabi

Sherbrooke, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Galaxy Victoriaville

1121, boul. Jutras Est

Victoriaville, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Colossus Laval

2800, rue du Cosmodˆ¥me

Laval, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Banque Scotia Montrˆ©al

977, rue Ste-Catherine Ouest

Montrˆ©al, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Starcitˆ© Montrˆ©al

4825, ave. Pierre-de-Coubertin

Montrˆ©al, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Cineplex Odeon Ste-Foy

1200, boul. Duplessis

Ste-Foy, Quˆ©bec

Cinˆ©ma Fleur-de-Lys

4520, boul. des Rˆ©collets

Trois-Riviˆ®res, Quˆ©bec

Voici le prix des billets : enfants de 3 ˆÝ 12 ans : 9,95 $, aˆÆnˆ©s : 17,95 $ et adulte : 19,95 $ (les taxes sont en sus). Nous offrons aussi un forfait familial au prix de 49,95 $, qui comprend deux billets d’Äôentrˆ©e pour adulte ou pour aˆÆnˆ© et deux billets d’Äôentrˆ©e pour enfant. Le forfait familial est seulement offert ˆÝ la billetterie des cinˆ©mas participants. Visitez le cineplex.com pour de plus amples dˆ©tails sur les billets et les cinˆ©mas participants.

Casse-Noisette

La production de Casse-Noisette du Ballet national du Canada fait dorˆ©navant partie de la tradition des fˆ�tes. Se dˆ©roulant dans la campagne russe du 19e siˆ®cle, Casse-Noisette allie les paysages naturels dˆ©taillˆ©s et les paysages fˆ©eriques et extravagants oˆ¼ le monde recouvert de glace scintillante de la reine des neiges et les splendeurs du palais dorˆ© de la fˆ©e Dragˆ©e se cˆ¥toient. La prestation d’Äôaprˆ®s-midi du 13 dˆ©cembre est d’Äôune durˆ©e de 115 minutes et comprend un entracte de 20 minutes.

Casse-Noisette : chorˆ©graphie et libretto par James Kudelka, musique par Pyotr Ilyich TchaˆØkovski, conception des dˆ©cors et des costumes par Santo Loquasto et conception de l’Äôˆ©clairage par Jennifer Tipton.

La production Casse-Noisette du Ballet national du Canada sera prˆ©sentˆ©e du 6 au 28 dˆ©cembre au Four Seasons Centre de Toronto. Priˆ®re de visiter thenutcracker.ca pour obtenir de plus amples renseignements.

Casse-Noisette sera aussi mis en scˆ®ne par diverses compagnies de ballet au Canada durant la pˆ©riode des fˆ�tes dont Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al. Veuillez visiter le http://www.grandsballets.com/en/index_achat-de-billets.cfm pour plus de dˆ©tails.

Pour obtenir une liste de toutes les productions de Casse-Noisette mises en scˆ®ne au Canada, priˆ®re de visiter le www.national.ballet.ca.

ˆÄ propos de Cineplex Divertissement LP

Cineplex Divertissement LP est la plus importante entreprise d’Äôexploitation de salles de cinˆ©ma au Canada. Elle possˆ®de, loue ou exploite en coentreprise 130 cinˆ©mas totalisant 1 325 ˆ©crans et accueille chaque annˆ©e quelque 61 millions d’Äôinvitˆ©s. Cineplex Divertissement LP, dont le siˆ®ge social est situˆ© ˆÝ Toronto au Canada, exploite des cinˆ©mas de la Colombie-Britannique jusqu’Äôau Quˆ©bec. Elle est la plus importante entreprise d’Äôexploitation de cinˆ©ma numˆ©rique, 3D et de films en version IMAX au pays. Fiˆ®re d’Äôˆ�tre canadienne, l’Äôentreprise de plus de 8 000 employˆ©s exploite les cinˆ©mas des marques reconnues suivantes: Cineplex Odeon, Galaxy, Famous Players - qui inclut les cinˆ©mas Colisˆ©e, Colossus et StarCitˆ© - en plus de la chaˆÆne Cinema City et les cinˆ©mas Banque Scotia. Les parts du Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund, qui dˆ©tient environ 76 % de Cineplex Divertissement LP, sont nˆ©gociˆ©es ˆÝ la Bourse de Toronto sous le symbole CGX.UN. Pour plus de dˆ©tails, visitez www.cineplex.com.

ˆÄ propos de Bravo!

Bravo! est un oasis dans le paysage tˆ©lˆ©visuel oˆ¼ les spectateurs se donnent rendez-vous avec les arts, que ce soit de l’Äôopˆ©ra classique, un documentaire sur l’Äôart, un concert filmˆ© dans la salle de spectacle Bravo! ou un film ˆÝ l’Äôavant-garde, Bravo! donne l’Äôoccasion aux spectateurs de vivre des expˆ©riences enrichissantes qui portent ˆÝ la rˆ©flexion. Donnez-vous rendez-vous avec les arts chaque soir sur les ondes de Bravo! (www.bravo.ca). Bravo! est la propriˆ©tˆ© de CTV Limited, une division de CTVglomedia, compagnie multimˆ©dia numˆ©ro un du Canada.

La saison 2008-2009 est prˆ©sentˆ©e par CTV et The Globe and Mail.

TD Waterhouse est le commanditaire prˆ©sentateur de la production torontoise de Casse-Noisette prˆ©sentˆ©e au Four Seasons Centre.

Casse-Noisette est rendue possible grˆ¢ce ˆÝ la participation financiˆ®re des assureurs de production Sandra et Jim Pitblado, Lawrence et Ann Heisey et un ami anonyme du Ballet national.

Le Ballet national du Canada est reconnaissant de la participation de : ACTRA, Canadian Actors’Äô Equity Association, I.A.T.S.E., Toronto Musicians Association, Local 149 et A.F.M.

Le Ballet national du Canada tient ˆÝ remercier les organismes suivants de leur appui continu : le Conseil des Arts du Canada; l’ÄôOffice du dˆ©veloppement ˆ©conomique et l’ÄôOffice du dˆ©veloppement et de la culture de la Citˆ© de Toronto; l’ÄôHonorable James Moore, ministre fˆ©dˆ©ral du Patrimoine canadien et des Langues officielles; le gouvernement de l’ÄôOntario; la Fondation des arts de l’ÄôOntario et la Fondation Trillium de l’ÄôOntario.

***

The National Ballet of Canada’Äôs The Nutcracker Live in High-Definition Returns Exclusively to 79 Cineplex Entertainment Theatres

Toronto, ON December 2, 2008 (TSX: CGX.UN) Due to the tremendous success of last year’Äôs first-ever presentation of The National Ballet of Canada’Äôs The Nutcracker, The Nutcracker live in High-Definition (HD) returns exclusively to an expanded number of Cineplex Entertainment theatres across the country. The one-time only presentation of The Nutcracker will be shown in select Cineplex Entertainment theatres on December 13, 2008 at 2:00 pm EST. Advance tickets are on sale now online at www.cineplex.com as well as at participating theatre box offices.

’ÄúI am extremely proud to be able to share our production of The Nutcracker with Canadians nationwide. And this year, we will expand our reach even more, bringing this great holiday tradition to a greater number of communities across the country,’Äù says Karen Kain, Artistic Director.

’ÄúWe are excited to once again present The Nutcracker to our theatre audiences across the country,’Äù says Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment. ’ÄúThe Nutcracker is a holiday tradition that should be experienced by as many people as possible and we have expanded the number of theatres to ensure everyone can enjoy it.’Äù

The Nutcracker live in HD is a three-way partnership between The National Ballet of Canada, Cineplex Entertainment and Bravo!. Following the simulcast on December 13, The Nutcracker will be broadcast on Bravo! at a later date that will be announced shortly.

The Nutcracker live in HD is presented by TD Waterhouse, with additional funding by John and Claudine Bailey.

The Nutcracker will be captured by six HD cameras at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts in Toronto and transmitted live via satellite to the following theatres throughout Quebec:

Cineplex Odeon Beauport Cinemas

825, rue Clemenceau

Beauport, PQ

Cineplex Odeon Brossard Cinemas

9350, boul. Leduc

Brossard, PQ

Colisˆ©e Kirkland Cinemas

3200 rue Jean Yves

Kirkland, PQ

Starcitˆ© Montreal Cinemas

4825, ave. Pierre de Coubertin

Montreal, PQ

Galaxy Cinemas Sherbrooke

4204, boul. Bertrand-Fabi

Sherbrooke, PQ

Galaxy Cinemas Victoriaville

1121, boul. Jutras-Est

Victoriaville, PQ

Colossus Laval Cinemas

2800 Cosmodome Street

Laval, PQ

Scotiabank Theatre Montreal

977, Ste-Catherine W

Montreal, PQ

Cineplex Odeon Latin Quarter Cinemas

350, rue Emery

Montreal, PQ

Cineplex Odeon Ste. Foy Cinemas

1200, boul. Duplessis

Ste. Foy, PQ

Galaxy Cinemas Trois-Rivieres

4520 boul. des Rˆ©collets

Trois-Rivieres, PQ

Admission for children ages 3-12 is $9.95, for seniors is $17.95 and general admission is $19.95, plus applicable taxes. A special Family Pack price is also being offered for $49.95, plus applicable taxes, which includes two adult or two senior admissions and two child admissions. The Family Pack is available at participating theatre box offices only. A special group rate is also available for groups of twenty or more at $16.50 per person (general admission) and $8.50 per child. For more information on group rates, call 1-800-313-4461. For more information on tickets and theatre locations, visit www.cineplex.com.

The Nutcracker

The National Ballet of Canada's The Nutcracker is a magical holiday tradition. Set in the rustic world of rural 19th-century Russia, The Nutcracker blends an affectionately detailed natural setting with an extravagant dreamscape of wonders, from the glittering, ice-coated world of the Snow Queen to the awe-inspiring splendour of the golden palace of the Sugar Plum Fairy. The December 13 matinee performance runs 115 minutes, with a 20 minute intermission.

The Nutcracker’Äôs choreography and libretto are by James Kudelka, music is by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, set and costume design are by Santo Loquasto and lighting design is by Jennifer Tipton.

The National Ballet of Canada's The Nutcracker is live on stage in Toronto from December 6 ’Äì 28, 2008 at the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. Visit thenutcracker.ca for more information and to buy tickets.

Ballet companies across Canada perform their own productions of The Nutcracker this holiday season, including Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al. For details, visit http://www.grandsballets.com/en/spectacle.php?spectacle=10.

For a listing of all presentations of The Nutcracker on stage across Canada, visit http://www.national.ballet.ca/TheNutcracker/live.html.

About Cineplex Entertainment LP

As the largest motion picture exhibitor in Canada, Cineplex Entertainment LP owns, leases or has a joint-venture interest in 130 theatres with 1,325 screens serving approximately 61 million guests annually. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Cineplex Entertainment operates theatres from British Columbia to Quebec and is the largest exhibitor of digital, 3D and IMAX projection technologies in the country. Proudly Canadian and with a workforce of more than 8,000, the company operates the following top tier brands: Cineplex Odeon, Galaxy and Famous Players including Colossus, Coliseum and SilverCity, in addition to Cinema City and Scotiabank Theatres. The units of Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund, which owns approximately 76% of Cineplex Entertainment LP, are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol CGX.UN). For more information, visit www.cineplex.com.

About Bravo!

Bravo! is an oasis in the television landscape where viewers make a regular appointment with the arts. Whether it’Äôs a classic opera, an art documentary, a concert performance in the Bravo! Concert Hall, or a cutting-edge film, Bravo! gives viewers an opportunity for enriching and thought-provoking experiences. Make an appointment with the arts each night on Bravo! (www.bravo.ca). Bravo! is owned by CTV Limited, a division of CTVglobemedia, Canada's premier multi-media company

The 2008/09 Season is presented by CTV and The Globe and Mail.

TD Waterhouse is the presenting sponsor of the Toronto production of The Nutcracker at the
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts.

The Nutcracker is made possible by generous financial support from production underwriters Sandra & Jim Pitblado, Lawrence & Ann Heisey and an anonymous friend of the National Ballet.

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges ACTRA, Canadian Actors’Äô Equity Association, I.A.T.S.E., Toronto Musicians Association, Local 149 and A.F.M.

The National Ballet of Canada gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of the Canada Council for the Arts; the Ontario Arts Council; the City of Toronto through the Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Department; The Government of Canada through the Honourable James Moore, Minister, the Department of Canadian Heritage; the Government of Ontario; the Ontario Arts Foundation; the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

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Tuesday, November 4, 2008

The Sweetest Holiday Tradition - The Nutcracker


Canadian Ballet Theatre Presents
THE NUTCRACKER
Three Performances Only with Special Guest Ballet Superstars
Alina Somova & Anton Korsakov, Kirov Ballet
Zhong-Jing Fang, American Ballet Theatre
December 20 & 21, 2008, Winter Garden Theatre

Toys magically coming to life, a young girl, a mysterious prince, elegant dancing snowflakes and Christmas wishes fulfilled: it's no wonder THE NUTCRACKER is the most beloved ballet in the world and the most delightful of holiday traditions! Canadian Ballet Theatre (CBT) is thrilled to present an elegant, traditional Russian mounting of this classic piece with international ballet superstars performing alongside shining young stars-in-the-making.

The role of Clara will be alternated between Victoria Harding and Alys Shee, to be partnered with Eugene Dokoukine as the valiant Nutcracker Prince. All of these superstars in the making are senior students with the Academy of Ballet and Jazz, the school of Canadian Ballet Theatre.

Alina Somova is a St. Petersberg native who graduated from the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in 2003 and joined the Mariinsky theatre the same year. A glittering ballerina, Ms. Somova is famous for her impeccable fouette turns and grands jetes.

A past winner of the esteemed Helsinki International Ballet Competition, Anton Korsakov is widely renowned for his dramatic intensity, technical prowess and spectacular elevation.

A rapidly rising star, Zhong-Jing Fang has been with American Ballet Theatre since 2002. Trained at the Shanghai Ballet School, where she was accepted at the age of 10, Ms. Fang won the very first competition she entered, the Prix de Lausanne 2000.

Canadian Ballet Theatre students have the unique opportunity to work with the award-winning and world-famous Artistic Director Nadia Veselova Tencer. With her husband and producing partner, Solomon Tencer, Ms. Veselova co-founded the Canadian Ballet Theatre, and it's school, the Academy of Ballet and Jazz, both committed to the traditions of Russian classical ballet. A master teacher, Nadia is a graduate of the world-renowned Vaganova Choreographic Institute, the school of the Kirov Ballet, class of Alla Osipenko.

The Tencers produce the worldwide dance phenomenon, Stars of the 21st Century. For more than ten years these international ballet galas, a tribute to excellence in the art of classical dance, have been the hit of the season around the world. Recently, Nadia judged and choreographed at the Youth America Grand Prix dance competition finals in New York and was a judge at the Prix Benois De La Danse, at the Bolshoi Theatre in Russia. This faithful and classic rendering of THE NUTCRACKER is staged by Nadia Veselova Tencer.

THE NUTCRACKER begins on Christmas Eve with the young Clara and her beautiful nutcracker. As the clock strikes midnight, Clara falls asleep under the Christmas tree and dreams the most marvelous dream of a winter wonderland with dancing snowflakes, a defeated Mouse King, and a magical sleigh ride with her Prince.

Canadian Ballet Theatre presents
THE NUTCRACKER
Music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Choreography by Vasily Vainonen
Set and Costumes from the Bolshoi Ballet
Staged by Nadia Veselova Tencer

Winter Garden Theatre, 189 Yonge Street (north of Queen Street)
Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 2:30pm and 7pm
Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 1:30pm

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Tickets are $60 and $70 and can be purchased in person at the box office,
by calling Ticketmaster 416.872.5555 or online at www.ticketmaster.ca
For more information about Canadian Ballet Theatre please visit www.starsofthe21stcentury.com

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Wednesday, September 17, 2008

What's New at Les Grands ballets Canadiens ?

Les Grands Ballets website gets a makeover

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al has new Web presence! Visit our new site, created by Cyber Gˆ©nˆ©ration. In just a few clicks, you'll discover our Behind the Scenes section highlighting the day-by-day offstage life of the company, in Montrˆ©al and on tour, at rehearsal and on stage.

Find out more at www.grandsballets.com.


Memories of an unforgettable summer

Dancer Gabrielle Lamb is also a talented videomaker. With her camera, she followed day-by-day the unfogettable stay of the Company at the ˆâtˆ©s de la danse festival in Paris.

Click or copy and paste this link

http://www.grandsballets.com/fr/arriere-scene.php?i=21&t=video


Promotions and new arrivals:

Company welcomes 10 new dancers and promotes several artists

It's exciting times at Les Grands Ballets! This autumn the company will welcome 10 new dancers from the four corners of the world and several current dancers have also won well-earned promotions.



REMINDERS


Looking for angels, sheep, rats, reindeer, mice, matriochkas and Orientals

Auditions for The Nutcracker are just around the corner!


Auditions for Nutcracker will be held at Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al studios, 4816 Rivard Street (Laurier mˆ©tro) on September 18 and 19 and at the YMCA du Parc, 5550 Park Ave. on September 20. Children chosen for the various roles will perform in The Nutcracker ballet from December 13 to 30, 2008, in Salle Wilfred-Pelletier of Place des Arts. A unique opportunity!


First steps by four winners of Les Grands Ballets' first choreography

competition to be seen at Agora de la danse on September 25, 26 and 27

To kick off the new season, you are invited to witness the first steps of four young Canadian choreographers, winners of the choreography competition organized by Les Grands Ballets. Under the tireless mentoring of the company's Artistic Director, Gradimir Pankov, these young talents have been working in our studios creating new works for the company's dancers. A bold, original, vigorous wind is sweeping through the season! Be part of the excitement for only $15 on September 25, 26 and 27 at the Agora de la danse.


COMING THIS OCTOBER

one of the most lavish Grand Ballets productions yet: The Queen of Spades, from Danish choreographer Kim Brandstrup

Hit the jackpot in October with The Queen of Spades (based on Alexander Pushkin's story), from Danish filmmaker/choreographer Kim Brandstrup. This magnificent full-length ballet featuring some 30 dancers boldly combines classical dance on pointe with virtual sets and will amaze you. And as a bonus, the Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al Orchestra will play Gabriel Thibaudeau's Tchaikovsky-inspired score.


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Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Les Grands Ballets ˆÝ Paris

LES GRANDS BALLETS CANADIENS DE MONTRˆâAL

ˆÄ LA CONQUˆäTE DE PARIS DU 21 JUILLET AU 9 AOˆõT 2008

Montrˆ©al, le 2 juillet 2008 ’Äî Le compte ˆÝ rebours est commencˆ© pour Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al, qui prˆ©parent fˆ©brilement leur sˆ©jour au festival Les ˆ©tˆ©s de la danse de Paris en juillet et aoˆªt. Trente-quatre ans aprˆ®s l'ˆ©clatant succˆ®s de Tommy en 1974, ce retour attendu de la compagnie dans la capitale franˆßaise s'inscrit dans le cadre des ˆ©vˆ©nements officiels des cˆ©lˆ©brations du 400e anniversaire de la ville de Quˆ©bec. Du 21 juillet au 9 aoˆªt, Paris vibrera au rythme du Quˆ©bec !

¬´ La jeunesse, la passion, la diversitˆ© culturelle des danseurs, la qualitˆ© artistique et l'ˆ©clectisme des choix chorˆ©graphiques sont autant d'ˆ©lˆ©ments qui m'ont fait choisir Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al comme compagnie invitˆ©e des ˆâtˆ©s de la danse. Je suis sˆªr qu'ils trouveront ˆÝ Paris l'accueil rˆ©servˆ© ˆÝ toutes les grandes compagnies internationales ¬ª, dˆ©clare le directeur de l'ˆ©vˆ©nement, Valˆ©ry Colin.

Aprˆ®s des compagnies aussi renommˆ©es que le San Francisco Ballet, l'Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater et le Ballet national de Cuba, invitˆ©s respectifs des trois ˆ©ditions prˆ©cˆ©dentes de ce festival, Les Grands Ballets, sous la direction artistique de Gradimir Pankov, dˆ©fendront les couleurs de leur pays au Grand Palais, avec 16 spectacles au total et trois programmes diffˆ©rents, rˆ©unissant les crˆ©ations rˆ©centes de son rˆ©pertoire, signˆ©es Ohad Naharin, Didy Veldman, Stijn Celis, Jirˆ‚ Kyliˆ°n et Mauro Bigonzetti. La compagnie mettra ainsi en relief sa raison d'ˆ�tre : faire dˆ©couvrir au public ’Äî autour de 45 000 spectateurs participent aux ˆâtˆ©s de la danse ! ’Äî de nouvelles facettes du ballet d'aujourd'hui dans toute sa diversitˆ©. Plusieurs de ces ‰ìuvres sont des premiˆ®res en France.

Minus One d'Ohad Naharin, succˆ®s phˆ©nomˆ©nal du rˆ©pertoire des Grands Ballets depuis sa crˆ©ation en 2002, ouvre le bal le 21 juillet. ˆÄ travers ce patchwork dˆ©bridˆ© de danse et de divertissement, associant le chant, le mouvement et le cabaret, on dˆ©couvre l'incroyable variˆ©tˆ© du style du chorˆ©graphe israˆ©lien. Parions que le public parisien ne rˆ©sistera pas ˆÝ son enthousiasme contagieux ! ˆÄ voir les 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 et 26 juillet ˆÝ 21 h 30.

Le 2e programme est composˆ© de TooT, Noces et Six Dances. TooT, une piˆ®ce pour 15 danseurs de la chorˆ©graphe nˆ©erlandaise Didy Veldman, a ˆ©tˆ© inspirˆ©e par la Suite no 2 pour orchestre de jazz de Chostakovitch. Sur le mode de l'humour et de la dˆ©rision, Didy Veldman s'interroge ici sur l'identitˆ© et sur les rapports entre l'individu et la sociˆ©tˆ©. Noces a ˆ©tˆ© crˆ©ˆ©e par le chorˆ©graphe belge Stijn Celis sur l'envoˆªtante partition d'Igor Stravinsky. Cette dˆ©lirante noce paysanne balkanique, qui fait appel ˆÝ 24 interprˆ®tes, pose un regard critique sur l'institution du mariage. Six Dances de Jirˆ‚ Kyliˆ°n, chorˆ©graphiˆ©e pour 8 danseurs sur les Six danses allemandes de W.A. Mozart, est selon Kyliˆ°n, ¬´ un dˆ©ferlement de poˆ©sie absurde en six actes ¬ª dont l'humour devrait ¬´ mettre en ˆ©vidence la relativitˆ© de nos valeurs ¬ª. Trois chorˆ©graphies prˆ©sentˆ©es les 29, 30, 31 juillet, 1er et 2 aoˆªt ˆÝ 21 h 30.

Enfin, le 3e programme comprend Les Quatre Saisons et Cantata du chorˆ©graphe italien Mauro Bigonzetti. Avec Les Quatre Saisons, conˆßue en 2007 pour les GBCM sur la cˆ©lˆ©brissime musique de Vivaldi, Mauro Bigonzetti relˆ®ve le dˆ©fi d'exprimer, ˆÝ travers cette ‰ìuvre mille fois exploitˆ©e, quelque chose de diffˆ©rent, laissant jaillir ¬´ les saisons intˆ©rieures de l'homme, ses ˆ©tats d'ˆ¢me et ses revirements ¬ª. Enfin, Cantata, commandˆ©e par le Ballet Gulbenkian en 2001, est inscrite au rˆ©pertoire des GBCM depuis l'an dernier. Sur des airs traditionnels du sud de l'Italie, interprˆ©tˆ©s live par les chanteuses du Gruppo Musicale Assurd, Cantata explore, au moyen d'une danse instinctive et vitale, les multiples facettes des relations entre hommes et femmes. Un peu, beaucoup, passionnˆ©ment mˆ©diterranˆ©en ! Un spectacle offert les 5, 6, 7, 8, et 9 aoˆªt ˆÝ 21 h 30.

Autour des GBCM

Des activitˆ©s pˆ©riphˆ©riques, prˆ©sentant divers aspects de la crˆ©ation contemporaine quˆ©bˆ©coise, seront offertes tous les jours de spectacle de la compagnie au Grand Palais, ˆÝ partir de 19 h, avec le soutien du gouvernement du Quˆ©bec. Le public pourra y dˆ©couvrir Occidents, une installation photographique de la photographe, sculpteur et artiste conceptuelle Jocelyne Alloucherie. Aprˆ®s les reprˆ©sentations, des after shows DJ/VJ seront proposˆ©s tout au long du festival. Du 21 au 26 juillet, le Festival Elektra de Montrˆ©al prˆ©sentera des performances DJ/VJ avec les artistes montrˆ©alais Baya (Jean-Sˆ©bastien Baillat, DJ et VJ), Euterke (Jean-Franˆßois Dumouchel, DJ et VJ), Poison Arrow (Alain Thibault, DJ), DelRay (Mathew Biederman, VJ) et Soul Sista (Marie-France Paquin, DJ). Du 21 au 23 juillet, ils seront accompagnˆ©s des Cubes volants, une performance arts et nouvelles technologies de l'artiste, architecte et designer Nicolas Reeves, composˆ©e de trois ¬´ aˆ©robots ¬ª sur lesquels les VJ projetteront des images vidˆ©o en temps rˆ©el et les spectateurs pourront envoyer des messages texte, au moyen d'un Palmtop ou d'un tˆ©lˆ©phone cellulaire. ˆÄ partir du 27 juillet et jusqu'ˆÝ la fin du festival le 9 aoˆªt, la DJ Soul Sista prendra la relˆ®ve de ces after shows avec un programme-panorama de musique et de chanson quˆ©bˆ©coise spˆ©cialement conˆßu pour l'occasion.

Gala

Sous la prˆ©sidence d'honneur de Son Excellence l'Ambassadeur du Canada, M. Marc Lortie, et du Dˆ©lˆ©guˆ© gˆ©nˆ©ral du Quˆ©bec ˆÝ Paris, M. Wilfrid-Guy Licari, une grande soirˆ©e marquera la premiˆ®re des Grands Ballets et l'ouverture du Festival le 21 juillet, en prˆ©sence de Mme Christine St-Pierre, ministre de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition fˆ©minine du Quˆ©bec.

Classes en public

Les danseurs des GBCM donneront ˆ©galement six classes ouvertes au grand public, les 23, 26 et 30 juillet, 2, 6 et 9 aoˆªt ˆÝ 15 h.

Partenaires et organismes subventionnaires

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al sont heureux d'ˆ�tre associˆ©s aux prestigieux partenaires suivants : GE Capital Solutions, commanditaire de production et de la soirˆ©e d'ouverture, Air Canada, transporteur officiel, le ministˆ®re du Tourisme du Quˆ©bec, commanditaire de soirˆ©e, et Global Jump, partenaire de la soirˆ©e d'ouverture. Les GBCM ont pu ˆ©galement compter sur l'aimable collaboration de l'Ambassade du Canada et de la Dˆ©lˆ©gation gˆ©nˆ©rale du Quˆ©bec ˆÝ Paris.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al bˆ©nˆ©ficient du soutien financier du Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quˆ©bec, du Conseil des Arts du Canada, du Conseil des arts de Montrˆ©al, du ministˆ®re des Affaires ˆ©trangˆ®res et du Commerce international du Canada et de Patrimoine canadien.

La compagnie remercie le ministˆ®re de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition fˆ©minine et le ministˆ®re des Relations internationales pour leur soutien spˆ©cial.






LES GRANDS BALLETS CANADIENS DE MONTRˆâAL

TO CONQUER PARIS FROM JULY 21 TO AUGUST 9, 2008


Montrˆ©al, July 2, 2008 ’Äî The countdown has begun for Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al, which is feverishly preparing for its visit to the Les ˆ©tˆ©s de la danse de Paris festival. Thirty-four years after the stunning success of Tommy in 1974, the company's long-awaited return to the French capital will occur as part of the official events the celebration of Quˆ©bec City's 400th anniversary. From July 21 to August 9, Paris will move to the beat of Quˆ©bec!

"Youth, passion, the cultural diversity of the dancers, their artistic quality and the eclecticism of their choreographic choices are all elements that led me to choose Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al as the guest company for Les ˆ©tˆ©s de la danse," says event Director Valˆ©ry Colin. "I am certain that Paris will give Les Grands the welcome that such a strong international company deserves."

Following in the footsteps of the San Francisco Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ballet Nacional de Cuba ’Äî respectively guest artists of the festival's last three editions ’Äî Les Grands Ballets, under its Artistic Director Gradimir Pankov, will fly our country's colours at the Grand Palais. The company will give a total of 16 performances in three different programs that bring together the recent creations in its repertoire by Ohad Naharin, Didy Veldman, Stijn Celis, Jirˆ‚ Kyliˆ°n and Mauro Bigonzetti. In so doing, the company will underscore its raison d'ˆ�tre: to introduce the public (approximately 45,000 spectators attend Les ˆ©tˆ©s de la danse!) to new facets of contemporary ballet in all its diversity. A number of these works will premiˆ®re in France on this occasion.

Minus One by Ohad Naharin, a phenomenal hit in the Grands Ballets repertoire since its premiˆ®re in 2002, will open the gala on July 21. This frenzied patchwork of dance and performance, featuring song, movement and cabaret, showcases the incredible variety of the renowned Israeli choreographer's style. Parisian audiences won't fail to catch his contagious enthusiasm! Performances will take place at 9:30 p.m. on July 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26.

The second program comprises TooT, Noces and Six Dances. TooT, a piece for 15 dancers by Dutch choreographer Veldman, was inspired by Shostakovich's Suite No 2 for jazz bands. With a humorous and derisive tone, Veldman poses questions about identity and the relationships between the individual and society. Noces was created by Belgian choreographer Celis to the enchanting notes of Stravinsky. This delirious Balkan country wedding, which calls on the talents of 24 performers, takes a critical look at the institution of marriage. Six Dances, by Kyliˆ°n, choreographed for eight dancers to the piece Six German Dances by Mozart, is, according to Kyliˆ°n, "an absurd poetic flood in six acts," whose humour should "point out the relativity of our values." The three choreographies will be performed at 9:30 p.m. on July 29, 30 and 31, and August 1 and 2.

The third program includes The Four Seasons and Cantata by Italian choreographer Bigonzetti. With The Four Seasons, created in 2007 for Les Grands Ballets and set to the widely known music of Vivaldi, Bigonzetti has carried off the challenge of expressing something different through pieces that have been interpreted thousands of times, bringing forth "people's internal seasons, our states of mind and our changes of mind." Lastly, Cantata, commissioned by Ballet Gulbenkian in 2001, was added to the Grands Ballets repertoire last year. With traditional music from southern Italy, performed live by the singers of Gruppo Musicale Assurd, Cantata uses instinctive, vital dance to explore the multiple facets of relations between men and women. The piece is passionately Mediterranean! Performances take place at 9:30 p.m. on August 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9.

Surrounding Les Grands Ballets

Satellite activities showcasing various aspects of contemporary Quˆ©bec creative work will take place every day the company performs at the Grand Palais, starting at 7 p.m., with the support of the Government of Quˆ©bec. The public will be able to discover Occidents, a photographic installation by photographer, sculptor and conceptual artist Jocelyne Alloucherie. Throughout the festival, Les Grand Ballets' performances will be followed by DJ/VJ "after-shows." From July 21 to 26, the Elektra international digital arts festival will feature DJ/VJ performances by Montrˆ©al artists Baya (Jean-Sˆ©bastien Baillat, DJ and VJ), Euterke (Jean-Franˆßois Dumouchel, DJ and VJ), Poison Arrow (Alain Thibault, DJ), DelRay (Mathew Biederman, VJ) and Soul Sista (Marie-France Paquin, DJ). From July 21 to 23, they will be accompanied by Les Cubes volants, an arts and new technologies performance by artist, architect and designer Nicolas Reeves, made up of three flying cubes, or "aerobots," upon which VJs will project video images in real time and to which spectators can send text messages using a Palmtop or cellular phone. From July 27 until the Festival ends on August 9, Soul Sista will take over the after-show events with a panorama program of Quˆ©bec music and song created especially for this occasion.

Gala

His Excellency Marc Lortie, Ambassador of Canada, and Wilfrid-Guy Licari, Quˆ©bec's Delegate General in Paris, will serve as Honorary Chairs of a gala evening to mark the Grands Ballets premiˆ®re and the Festival opening on July 21, to be attended by Christine Saint-Pierre, Quˆ©bec Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women.

Classes for the public

The dancers of Les Grands Ballets will also give six classes open to the public at 3 p.m. on July 23, 26 and 30 and August 2, 6 and 9.

Supporting partners and organizations

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al is pleased to be associated with the following prestigious partners: GE Capital Solutions, production and opening gala sponsor; Air Canada, official carrier; the Ministˆ®re du Tourisme du Quˆ©bec, evening sponsor; and Global Jump, opening gala partner. Les Grands is also benefiting from the generous cooperation of the Canadian Embassy and the Dˆ©lˆ©gation gˆ©nˆ©rale du Quˆ©bec in Paris.

Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montrˆ©al enjoys the financial support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Quˆ©bec, the Canada Council for the Arts, the Conseil des arts de Montrˆ©al, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and Heritage Canada.

The company would like to thank the Ministˆ®re de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition fˆ©minine du Quˆ©bec and the Ministˆ®re des Relations internationales du Quˆ©bec for their special support.


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Monday, June 2, 2008

GENˆâE to makes its North American debut


FIRST TIME IN NORTH AMERICA!

THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DANCE presents
THE GENˆâE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION
Toronto, August 14 - 23, 2008

The GENˆâE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION, the flagship event of London's Royal Academy of Dance and one of the world's most prestigious events of its kind attracting many of the worlds most brilliant and promising young dancers, makes its North American debut in Toronto, August 14-23, 2008.

Chaired by Dame Antoinette Sibley DBE, President of the Royal Academy of Dance, and named after the Academy's founder Dame Adeline Genˆ©e, the GENˆâE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION is one of the leading ballet competitions in the world, nurturing and showcasing the talent of young dancers on the cusp of their professional careers by inviting leading teachers and internationally renowned choreographers and artistic directors to coach, choreograph and judge the young dancers over a unique week-long experience.

For over seventy years, The GENˆâE INTERNATIONAL BALLET COMPETITION was held in London, but in 2002, in a dramatic break with tradition, the competition was held in Sydney, Australia. That event attracted the largest ever entry and culminated in a sold out Final at the Sydney Opera House. Encouraged by the enormous success of Sydney, the Genˆ©e returned in 2003 to the UK and was staged in Birmingham in association with the Birmingham Royal Ballet. An invitation from the Greek International Cultural Olympiad to stage the 2004 Genˆ©e in the great open-air theatre of Herod Atticus at the foot of the Acropolis added another unforgettable chapter to the history of the Genˆ©e. In 2006 to mark the 50th anniversary of the first ballet examinations held in Hong Kong - Hong Kong hosted another spectacular, sold-out event.

Each year, an international jury headed by the Academy's President and ex prima ballerina, Dame Antoinette Sibley, selects finalists who then battle it out at a Final for the coveted Gold, Silver and Bronze medals. So high is the Genˆ©e standard that it is only exceptional candidates who receive a Gold medal. In addition to Dame Antoinette Sibley, the 2008 Genˆ©e International Ballet Competition judges include: Karen Kain, Artistic Director, National Ballet of Canada; Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director, Joffrey Ballet, Chicago; and Rex Harrington, Artist-in-Residence, National Ballet of Canada.

Each candidate will perform a 19th Century classical variation, a 20th Century classical variation and an exclusive solo commissioned by the Academy and created by a renowned choreographer for the young competitors during the week-long competition. Canadian Choreographer Sabrina Matthews has been commissioned to create two exclusive variations (male and female) to be performed by the candidates and premiered during the competition. This recent innovation has added enormous interest to the competition, both by competitors and audiences alike.
The competition culminates in a tense and exciting Final in which the finalists try to outshine each other to win over the hearts and minds of the both the Judges and the audience. The best of the best have the opportunity to win a coveted gold, silver or bronze medal and walk away with up to $11,000 in prize money.

Winners of the Genˆ©e International Ballet Competition have gone on to perform with leading international companies including the Royal Ballet, English National Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet Theatre, Australian Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet and the San Francisco Ballet to name but a few. The National Ballet of Canada's Chan Hon Goh was the first participant to win a medal for Canada (1988), while Cˆ©line Gittens was awarded the gold medal for her performance in 2005.

SPECIAL EVENT: THE TURNING POINT in a Dance Career
In 1977, Dame Antoinette Sibley DBE made her film debut as "Sevilla" in Herbert Ross's THE TURNING POINT dancing with Mikhail Baryshnikov. Join Veronica Tennant, herself beloved as one of Canada's best and most versatile ballerinas, at this special screening of THE TURNING POINT, after which Veronica Tennant will delve into the career and life of Dame Antoinette Sibley before opening the floor to questions from the audience.

THE TURNING POINT in a Dance Career o Friday, August 22, 7pm
Jackman Hall, Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St W
Tickets: Members: $7.08* Students/Seniors/ Children: $7.08* Non-Members: $11.56*
* Prices do not include GST, building fund fee and service charges.
Presented by the Toronto International Film Festival Group and the Royal Academy of Dance
www.cinemathequeontario.ca for details

The Royal Academy of Dance is a global organization with 13,500 Members, a worldwide staff of 153 and 173 examiners. With offices in 79 countries and headquarters in London, it is the largest ballet examination and dance teacher training and education institution in the world. Its mission is to promote knowledge, understanding and practice of dance internationally. It seeks to accomplish its mission through examining students of ballet, educating and training teachers of dance and promoting the study and performance of dance.
Royal Academy of Dance presents
The Genˆ©e International Ballet Competition
August 14 - 23, 2008
Toronto, Ontario

SEMI-FINALS
Wednesday, August 20 and Thursday, August 21, 2008
Betty Oliphant Theatre at Canada's National Ballet School, 400 Jarvis Street
Tickets for the Semi-finals are $35.00 per single day or $60.00 for both days and are available from the Royal Academy of Dance office in Toronto by calling 416.489.2813, toll-free 888.709.0895 or email genee@radcanada.org.

FINAL
Saturday, August 23, 2008 @ 7pm
The Four Seasons Centre for Performing Arts, 145 Queen Street West
Tickets for the Finals are $50 - $160 and can purchased by calling 416.363.8231, toll-free 800.250.4653, www.coc.ca/house/house.html or email tickets@coc.ca
N.B. An $8 per ticket service charge applies on all online & telephone ticket sales

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Saturday, May 24, 2008

Depart sur scene_4



Dˆ©part sur scˆ®ne_4

Essais chorˆ©graphiques des danseurs du Jeune Ballet du Quˆ©bec

4 et 5 juin > Maison de la culture du Plateau Mont-Royal
6 juin > Centre Culturel Henri-Lemieux, LaSalle
11 juin > Maison de la Culture Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie (salle Jean Eudes)

En juin prochain, les danseurs du Jeune Ballet du Quˆ©bec vous convient ˆÝ venir dˆ©couvrir leurs essais chorˆ©graphiques dans trois lieux de diffusion culturelle de l’Äôˆéle de Montrˆ©al. Complˆ®tement assumˆ©es par les danseurs et interprˆ©tˆ©es par leurs collˆ®gues du JBQ, ces crˆ©ations sont une opportunitˆ© d’Äôentrer en contact avec un univers chorˆ©graphique en devenir, quelquefois loufoque et dˆ©bridˆ© mais toujours touchant et rˆ©vˆ©lateur des prˆ©occupations de la jeunesse d’Äôaujourd’Äôhui.

Pour Dˆ©part sur scˆ®ne_4, se joignent aux danseurs actuels du Jeune Ballet du Quˆ©bec des anciennes diplˆ¥mˆ©es de l’ÄòEcole supˆ©rieure de ballet contemporain de Montrˆ©al : Ingrid Proulx, Roxane Bouvrette, Leyla Theunissen, Geneviˆ®ve Bolla et ˆâmilie Gratton. Depuis leur graduation, ces jeunes artistes ont dˆ©jˆÝ usˆ© leurs souliers de danse. Ingrid s’Äôest baladˆ©e du cˆ¥tˆ© de l’ÄôEurope, notamment en Hollande et en Espagne oˆ¼ elle a remportˆ© le prix du public pour son interprˆ©tation dans ELMER de Franˆßois Chirpaz et Kristen Cere lors du Concours Masdanza. Roxanne, quant ˆÝ elle, a ˆ©tˆ© stagiaire avec la compagnie Cas Public et a participˆ© ˆÝ l’Äôˆ©vˆ©nement de danse contemporaine de Quˆ©bec, Symbiose. Enfin, Geneviˆ®ve Bolla et ˆâmilie Gratton ont formˆ© leur propre compagnie de danse : ˆâvolucidanse. Cette derniˆ®re a pour mission de promouvoir la danse contemporaine en crˆ©ant des spectacles qui se dˆ©marquent de la vague actuelle. Sous l'influence de la danse classique et tout en s'inspirant de la culture du Moyen-Orient, la compagnie prˆ©sente une philosophie chorˆ©graphique riche et innovatrice. De plus, elle souhaite exploiter la polyvalence de ses danseurs afin de faire communier l'individu et l'artiste ˆÝ l'intˆ©rieur du mˆ�me corps.

C’Äôest d’Äôailleurs ˆâvolucidanse qui ouvrira la soirˆ©e avec ROOTS, une chorˆ©graphie de Geneviˆ®ve Bolla sur une composition musicale de l’Äôartiste NGABO. La chorˆ©graphie ROOTS a dˆ©jˆÝ sˆ©duit le public et la critique lors du festival LOLA (London Ontario Live Arts).

Tous ces danseurs polyvalents, formˆ©s ˆÝ l’Äôˆ©cole supˆ©rieure, possˆ®dent une excellente technique qui leur permet d’Äôˆ©voluer dans tous les styles de danse. Avec Le Jeune Ballet du Quˆ©bec, ils ont travaillˆ© sous la direction de chorˆ©graphes d’Äôhorizons artistiques variˆ©s comme Mario Radacovsky (ancien premier danseur au Grands ballets canadiens de Montrˆ©al) et Hˆ©lˆ®ne Blackburn (directrice artistique de la compagnie Cas Public), interprˆ©tant des ‰ìuvres tout autant nˆ©o-classiques que contemporaines.

Avec Dˆ©part sur scˆ®ne_4, les danseurs mettent ˆÝ profit leurs expˆ©riences d’Äôinterprˆ®tes et passent de l’Äôautre cˆ¥tˆ© du miroir en devenant chorˆ©graphes. Une soirˆ©e de danse ˆ©clectique qui promet d’Äôˆ�tre des plus divertissantes en compagnie de ces talents de la relˆ®ve.


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