Ballet Kelowna to celebrate autumn

Fresh from the company’s successful Toronto and Beijing debuts, Ballet Kelowna launches its 16th season with Autumn, a program presented at the Kelowna Community Theatre on Nov. 16-17 at 7:30 p.m.

Autumn features premieres of two highly-anticipated works from Canadian choreographers — Schubert from internationally renowned choreographer John Alleyne and In Between by rising star Alysa Pires.

The show will also feature the return of Pires’ MAMBO, previously commissioned by Ballet Kelowna in 2017.

“As Ballet Kelowna explores the vibrant and powerful force of nature’s autumnal season, we are delighted to showcase the incredible depth and dynamism of dance that exists in our hometown of Kelowna,” said Ballet Kelowna artistic director and CEO Simone Orlando in a news release. “Having recently returned from our company debut at Toronto’s FFDN Festival and Beijing’s China International Performing Arts Expo, we are thrilled to share with our home audiences our commitment to the creation and celebration of works by Canadian dance artists, recognized on the national and international stage.”

Ballet Kelowna will open the program with Alleyne’s Schubert. First mounted by Ballet BC in 2000 as a tribute to Canadian ballerina Jean Orr, the work celebrates the life of a dancer in three scenes: youth, beauty, and wisdom. Alleyne’s neo-classical piece set to Schubert’s Trio in E Flat Major, Opus 100 will be performed by Ballet Kelowna’s full company of dancers.

In Between by Pires was developed through The National Ballet of Canada’s Choreographic Workshop.

Tickets are on sale now at balletkelowna.ca.