Cape Town City Ballet Celebrates Their 90th Anniversary with Winter Dances

The Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB) is celebrating their extraordinary 90-year history with the opening of Winter Dances, a capsule dance production. A milestone performance and glittering gala dinner will honour the illustrious past while celebrating the future of dance. The grand performance features both the CTCB talent and international guests from The Royal Ballet, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Northern Ballet, The Czech National Ballet, and Joburg Ballet. Here’s all you need to know.

Ring in an evening of celebration at CTCB’s 90th Gala event

The gala evening promises a beautiful display of dance and music, featuring old CTCB favourites, classical masterpieces, and works never seen before in South Africa. Accompanied by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of guest conductor Daniel Parkinson, this one-night-only event promises to be an unforgettable celebration of the arts.

Star favourites of Cape Town, Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov, will perform Veronica Paeper’s exquisite Romeo and Juliet and the Sleeping Beauty wedding pas de deux. Visiting guests from Joburg Ballet will perform an excerpt from Paeper’s renowned Camille, while the rest of the programme remains a delightful surprise.

Tracy Li, one of the renowned former company ballerinas, who has taken up the position of Artistic Manager, will be heading up the two productions alongside CTCB Artistic Producer David Nixon, to bring to life the incredible programme and vision for the company to the fore.

For those wishing to support the future of the CTCB, a gala dinner will follow the performance, offering guests the unique opportunity to dine with the evening’s performers.

What’s on the programme for Winter Dances

The company is also staging a limited run of Winter Dances, a vibrant collection of captivating dance works by young choreographers. This programme spotlights the versatility and talent of the CTCB artists through a variety of styles, showcasing their energy, athleticism, grace, and emotion.

Kenneth Tindall, an international rising star in choreography, returns to the stage with his unique take on classical dance. His highly anticipated piece, Shades of You, promises to be a highlight of the evening.

Two works created during the pandemic at Northern Ballet will bring a contrast to the stage. Mariana Rodrigues’ The Garden, a lyrical piece for women, celebrates the grace and community of female dancers. In contrast, Cape Town’s own Mlindi Kulashe presents a dynamic and quirky piece for men called Men Dances.

David Nixon will debut a new work set to Dvorak’s string quartet, The American. This piece, which lends its name to the evening’s title, Winter Dances, will explore the nuances of this beautiful music.

Nixon has had an extraordinary career that included being the longest-serving Artistic Director at Northern Ballet (UK), as well as being named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010 and a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2022 for his contribution to the world of dance. He will continue to assist in developing the future artistic vision of the company.

The evening will also feature the return of the beloved duet Pie Jesu, choreographed by Garry Trinder, a poignant pas de deux last seen in Cape Town in 1993. At select performances, Fumi Kaneko and Vadim Muntagirov will present Vadim’s choreography for the first time, offering a special treat in celebration of the company’s 90th year.

How to book tickets

Cost: From R175pp to R425pp, book via Webtickets. Children over 5yrs and adults are welcome

When: Running from 29 August to 1 September 2024. Evening performances are at 7:30pm, and matinees at 2pm
Where: Artscape Opera House, D.F. Malan St, Foreshore, Cape Town

Email: [email protected]
Tel: 021 492 5950
Website: capetowncityballet.org.za
Facebook: @ctcityballet
Instagram: @capetowncityballet