A Special Report from Artistic Director Adam Sklute

August 2008

This month we embark on rehearsals for our new season – a thrilling mix of world premieres and historical masterpieces – and all of them new to Ballet West. I invite you to join me for our explosive season opener – Ballet West’s annual Gala on Saturday, November 1 at 6:30pm. This will be a fast-paced, hour-long performance of works highlighting every aspect of Ballet West from our Academy to our youthful up-and-comers Ballet West II and our glamorous and versatile company. The program is designed as an evening of previews for future seasons so you won’t want to miss getting the inside scoop. I also want to invite you to join us afterwards for an elegant evening of dinner and dancing at The Grand America Hotel.

Ballet West’s annual gala opens with a Defile performance by The Ballet West Academy, celebrating all levels of our official ballet school. The line-up also features an excerpt from Twyla Tharp’s Brief Fling, a chic, high-energy, classically based contemporary ballet, followed by a delicate solo from Gerald Arpino’s Kettentanz with music by Johann Meyer. The evening continues with an exciting ensemble presentation by Ballet West II, followed by Ben Stevenson’s achingly beautiful Three Preludes, an intimate pas de deux to solo piano music by Serge Rachmaninoff.  Closing the sumptuous show, Ballet West will perform the grand finale from George Balanchine’s elegant, classic and exciting Chaconne, set to music by Christoph Willibald Gluck.

If you want to come just to the show, please be our guests at lavish dessert reception in the lobby but if you want to continue the evening with an exclusive party of dinner and dancing with the artist, board and other donors  please consider purchasing a Gala event ticket or a table sponsorship and join us at the Grand America Hotel.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to experience a piece of Ballet West’s future danced by today’s dynamic Artists. All proceeds from this event benefit Ballet West’s educational and artistic programs.

Join me, the Ballet West dancers, and your neighbors and friends for Ballet West’s annual gala on Saturday, November 1. For more information on our annual gala, contact Ashlee Christofferson at 801-323-6917.  It promises to be the social event of the year.

~ Adam Sklute, Artistic Director