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Pushing the envelope

Kelowna Ballet dances into a new season by breaking boundaries.
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New moves: Davin Luce and Raelyn Heppell rehearse a scene in Ballet Kelowna’s new production.

Kelowna Ballet dances into a new season by breaking boundaries.

“You can’t turn your TV on these days without realizing the remarkable resurgence of dance,” says Jamie Maw, Ballet Kelowna president. “It’s a primetime favourite, but even better, now we can watch that energy and athleticism come alive on our own stage.”

Ballet Kelowna kicks off the season by smashing the stereotypes of ballet with a mosaic of dances in Breaking Boundaries.

“Expect vivid interpretations and lasting impressions,” says artistic director David LaHay.

LaHay has assembled a collection of performances to showcase the talent of Ballet Kelowna’s professional corps and to encourage a growing audience that is receptive to innovation.

Breaking Boundaries includes north shore, by Montreal choreographer Shawn Hounsell, Le Blanc by Paul Destrooper,  and Marius Petipa’s exciting pas de deux from Don Quixote. And inspired by composer Benjamin Britten’s homage to his music teacher Frank Bridge, Lahay has created a new work that sees classical technique made edgier with neo-classical and jazz-based nuances.

“I’m so very excited that our dancers are being challenged with this new energy, from some of today’s most dynamic and innovative Canadian choreographers,” enthuses LaHay. “From the transcendentally uplifting modern choreography of The Lark Ascending to the physically and emotionally demanding movement of north shore, Breaking Boundaries is what today’s dance is all about...”

See Breaking Boundaries at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 20 at Shuswap Theatre. Tickets at www.balletkelowna.ca.