“SWAN, choreographed by Wen Wei Wang, proved itself as a stunning, flawless endeavour that had its audience breathless by the time the curtain closed…”— Lords of Dogwood

“The new ballet is not only an emotional reckoning, but it’s also a triumph of timing and detail…”— Roger Levesque, Edmonton Journal

VERNON, BC— Flawless and triumphant, Ballet Edmonton makes their Vernon debut with an exquisite mixed program of three contemporary ballets. The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre welcomes Ballet Edmonton on Friday, April 28, 2023, at 7:30PM as the final performance of the 2022-23 SPOTLIGHT Season’s Dance Series.

“Ballet Edmonton is one of Canada’s newest ballet companies and they already have an impressive body of work from some of the country’s most respected choreographers,” said VDPAC Artistic Director Erin Kennedy. “We are thrilled to present their Vernon debut.”

Ballet Edmonton will perform a triple bill mixed program of three new works by two outstanding choreographic voices. The evening opens with two works by celebrated choreographer and Ballet Edmonton Artistic Director Wen Wei Wang, Persistence of Memory and Swan, followed by a stunning new creation called Valei-me by Brazilian-born choreographer Diego Ramalho.

Swan by Ballet Edmonton Artistic Director Wen Wei Wang is a remount of his masterful piece, which first debuted with Ballet BC in 2017. Inspired by the iconic characters in Swan Lake, this breathtaking and elegant work highlights Wang’s capacity to move dancers in ways that exemplify the poise and grace of a balletic dancer while pushing the body’s athletic range to tell a familiar story through a new lens.

Persistence of Memory was created amid the 2020 pandemic when the dance troupe had no access to family, friends or audiences. The dancers formed a closed cohort, and their studio became a place of safety and sanctuary where they explored the idea of their need for human contact. Roger Levesque of the Edmonton Journal described Persistence of Memory as “not only an emotional reckoning… it’s also a triumph of timing and detail.”

Driven by an energetic score and influenced by Brazilian forró and swing dance, Diego Ramalho’s Valei-me explores how we are shaped by the places where we first belonged. The work explores how music lives in the nervous system and reflects an unconscious sense of identity connected to place.

"I don't think I could have imagined my journey from a small town in Brazil to Canada would have meant this kind of opportunity,” said Ramalho. “I am honoured that my work is being presented alongside another amazing choreographer across Canada."

Ballet Edmonton is a contemporary ballet ensemble of company dancers under the leadership of celebrated choreographer and Artistic Director Wen Wei Wang. The company creates and commissions original work each season from a variety of choreographic voices. Ballet Edmonton’s vision is driven by a passion and curiosity to explore new ideas. They offer audiences original, inspired contemporary dance that reflects their Artistic Director's adventurous, curatorial vision. Their repertoire is primarily Canadian, with new creations by nationally recognized and emerging choreographers with distinctive styles. Ballet Edmonton is committed to advancing the work of female and diverse creators to ensure their artistic product reflects the world in which we live. They contribute to the evolution of ballet in Canada by expressing the unique narratives of the artists whose creations they help bring to life.

In 2023 so far, Ballet Edmonton has toured across Ontario with appearances in Kingston, St. Catharines, Toronto, and at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. They now embark on the last leg of their e-motion tour that will take them to Victoria performing with the Victoria Symphony before their first-ever appearance at the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre.

The Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre presents Ballet Edmonton on Friday, April 28, 2023 at 7:30PM. The show is 1 hour and 40 minutes long including one 20-minute intermission. Tickets are $45 for adults, $42 for seniors, and $40 for students. Special discounts are available for seats in the first two rows of the theatre. For tickets, please call Ticket Seller at 250-549-SHOW (7469) or visit our 2022-23 SPOTLIGHT Season online at www.vdpac.ca.

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Ticket Link: https://www.ticketseller.ca/tickets/event/ballet-edmonton

Videos:

Trailer for Swan: https://vimeo.com/776813047

Trailer for Valei-me: https://vimeo.com/758098141

Trailer for Persistence of Memory: https://vimeo.com/758097900

About Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre

The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Society is a non-profit, charitable organization devoted to fostering artists, their work, and live performance in all genres and for all ages. The Society operates the Performing Arts Centre’s (VDPAC) on behalf of the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) and with the support of over 30 staff and 200 volunteers. Each year, we present our SPOTLIGHT Season of over 30 diverse performances, complemented by over 125 professional guest concerts, festivals, and special events. We select professional touring productions to entertain, enlighten, move and amuse our patrons. Altogether, they offer audiences of all ages a world of unforgettable live theatre experiences. Please visit: https://vdpac.ca/ & https://ticketseller.ca/

Facebook: @vdpac
Instagram: @vernonperformingarts

For interviews with the artists and more information, media can contact:

Angela Pells
Marketing Director
250-542-9355
[email protected]