Ballet Kelowna’s season is coming to a close, but before they wrap it up for the year, the troupe will be coming to Penticton with their current show, Forward: A Mixed Repertory Programme.
The April 15 performance marks the return of Ballet Kelowna to Penticton in seven years.
“With Ballet Kelowna, we have a great little company in our region, but they stopped coming to Penticton in 2008,” said Robin Robertson, who is presenting the Penticton show.
“I have been working the last three years to convince them to return and make the arrangements with people in town,” said Robertson, who acknowledged she had received help and support in her quest.
“It’s about exposing young people to a gift I had, which was going to see professional ballet when I was young and the inspiration it provided me,” said Robertson.
The show features three premieres highlighting the dancers’ artistry and physicality.
The evening includes the company premiere of James Kudelka’s Byrd Music, showcasing the choreographer’s distinct balletic voice and ingenious partnering, as well as the introduction of Lee Dances, excerpts from award-winning works created for the esteemed Clifford E. Lee Choreography Award.
A third section features brand new works choreographed by former Royal Winnipeg Ballet dancer Shawn Hounsell and Ballet Kelowna’s current artistic director and CEO, Simone Orlando.
Ballet Kelowna has already performed Forward at Summerland’s Centre Stage Theatre, and the Penticton stop will be one of the last shows this year, before a final performance on April 24 in Kelowna.
The Penticton performance takes place on April 15 at 7:30 p.m. in Cleland Theatre.
Tickets are available at the Community Centre, 325 Power St., 250-490-2426 or the Shatford Centre, 70 Main St., 250-770-7668
Adult tickets are $35 each, $30 for seniors or $20 for students and children.