Ballet Kelowna
Bolero and Other Works
Photo credits:
Ballet Kelowna
Founded in 2002, and under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO (AD/CEO) Simone Orlando since 2014, Ballet Kelowna delivers compelling and inspiring performances to regional, national, and international audiences. The Company presents numerous styles of dance from Canada’s finest emerging and established choreographers, and embraces the precision and athleticism of ballet technique to create original new works that captivate and engage today’s diverse audiences. Serving as the only professional dance company in BC’s Interior, Ballet Kelowna is committed to its role as a leader in the region through encouraging, promoting, and developing Canadian dancers and choreographers. The Company performs annually for over 12,000 audience members in Kelowna and on tour, while also providing unique dance training opportunities and outreach programs. AD/CEO Simone Orlando is an award-winning choreographer and former dancer with Ballet BC and The National Ballet of Canada. Ms. Orlando is actively leading Ballet Kelowna in collaborations with other community organizations, to educate and cultivate new dance audiences, and to enhance the impact of performances and programs.
Bolero and Other Works
The Bolero and Other Works program opens with taqəš, which means “to return something” in Ayajuthem, the language belonging to the Homalco, Klahoose, K’omoks and Tla’amin Nations. Visionary choreographer Cameron Fraser-Monroe brings his classical ballet training, knowledge of traditional Coast Salish, Grass, Hoop Dance, and experience as a contemporary dancer to this poignant piece. Set to several songs by Polaris Prize-winning composer and singer Jeremy Dutcher, taqəš follows the traditional story “Raven Returns the Water”, centred around Raven (P̓oho) and Frog (Walθ). Next, former Ballet BC dancer and rising choreographer Kirsten Wicklund applies a humanistic perspective to her relationship with classical vocabulary and form. Set to Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 1 in F Major and original music created by Wicklund, Disembark reflects on a world disrupted. The dramatic intensity of the work is further amplified through lighting created by Vancouver-based designer James Proudfoot and costumes by Toronto-based designer Krista Dowson. Rounding out the program, National Ballet of Canada Choreographic Associate Guillaume Côté brings strength and fragility to a fascinating interpretation of the beloved Bolero by Maurice Ravel, one of music’s most famous and identifiable melodies. A “riveting tour de force” (Dance Magazine), Bolero (2012) features breath-taking lifts and virtuosic choreography.
Photo credits:
Performance History of Bolero and Other Works
Upcoming Tour Performances: Nov. 10, 2021 - Bolero and Other Works, Venables Theatre, Oliver, BC || Nov. 20, 2021 - Bolero and Other Works, Capitol Theatre, Nelson, BC
Project Details
Project created by: Ballet Kelowna commissioned Cameron Fraser-Monroe and Kirsten Wicklund to create their respective works in 2021. Bolero is choreographed by Guillaume Côté and entered Ballet Kelowna's repertoire in 2019.
Key Collaborators: taqəš CHOREOGRAPHER: Cameron Fraser-Monroe, MUSIC: Jeremy Dutcher, Oquiton, Essuwonike, Ultestakon | Wolastoqiyik Lintuwakonawa LIGHTING DESIGN: James Proudfoot COSTUMES: Cameron Fraser-Monroe || Disembark CHOREOGRAPHER: Kirsten Wicklund MUSIC: Ludwig van Beethoven, String Quartet No. 1 in F Major, Op. 18: ll. Adagio affettuoso ed appassionato performed by Juilliard String Quartet and original arrangement by Kirsten Wicklund after George Gershwin LIGHTING DESIGN: James Proudfoot COSTUME DESIGN: Krista Dowson and Kirsten Wicklund || Bolero CHOREOGRAPHER: Guillaume Côté MUSIC: Maurice Ravel, Bolero COSTUME DESIGN: Yannick Larivée LIGHTING DESIGN: James Proudfoot after Jeff Logue
Audience: General Audience
Length in minutes: 80 minutes including 1 intermission
Space required: This work is built for a wood floor and is adaptable to different indoor stage sizes.
Preparation required: This program requires load-in and tech the day prior to the performance day.
General technical requirements: Ballet Kelowna requires a wood floor for performances (i.e. no concrete). For touring in BC, Ballet Kelowna tours with a Marley dance floor and lighting equipment.
Availabilities: March 15-20, 2022, November 14 - 27, 2022, Feb. 27 - March 19, 2023, May 15 - June 2, 2023, Nov. 6-26, 2023, Feb. 19-March 2, 2024 and May 6-26, 2024
Number of performers on tour: 10
Number of support staff on tour: 5
Community Engagement Activities
Ballet Kelowna offers masterclasses in Contemporary and Ballet for dance students 12-18 years old at $25 per student (minimum cost is $250). Ballet Kelowna also offers Introductory Ballet workshops for adults at $25 per participant (minimum cost is $250). No previous dance experience is needed for the Intro workshops. Masterclasses and workshops are taught by the Company’s Rehearsal Director. Ballet Kelowna typically offers classes and workshops on the day prior to the performance day.
Due to our touring schedule, we are not currently offering community engagement activities for the 2022/23 season.
Contact: ad.ceo@balletkelowna.ca
Website: balletkelowna.ca
Facebook: BalletKelowna
Instagram: balletkelowna
Twitter: @balletkelowna
Youtube: balletkelowna