One of the most highly anticipated evenings on Toronto’s social calendar, Mad Hot Ballet, has an exciting new theme to bring together dance lovers, trendsetters and culture connoisseurs for a one-night-only celebration of ballet – and a healthy dose of fashion. Mad Hot Ballet is The National Ballet of Canada’s most important fundraising event and since 2007, has raised over $17 million to support the company’s Community Engagement programmes. Mad Hot Ballet: New Wave aims to raise $1 million for these vital initiatives in just one unforgettable evening!
Photo: George Pimentel
Principal ballerina Heather Ogden knows first hand how important these Community Engagement Programs are. She has been a principal for over 20 years and is thoroughly enjoying her career. She shares that Mad Hot Ballet is so highly sought out as it puts party guests on the stage for a change. “One of the fun parts, as you probably know, is that the party takes place on the stage. So we typically have a show, a gala style performance, and then a cocktail event which people can buy tickets to. Then, those who have bought a table join us on stage for dinner afterwards. It’s just such a beautiful evening. I think people feel special to be on the stage that they usually are watching us on, and it’s such a nice view of the audience and the auditorium.” She adds that this event often brings a different audience, even those new to ballet, while also bringing together the seasoned crowd of ballet lovers.
Ogden shares that the theme of New Wave symbolizes a new era for the National Ballet of Canada, and encompass an “energetic celebration of creativity that the company is focused on right now” which also offers “fun opportunities for fashion”! Funds raised will go toward the education and outreach programs from National Ballet of Canada. One of those programs is the week-long YOU dance residency at York University which offers students a deeper, more engaging dance experience through 41 movement workshops and five live performances by the National Ballet’s RBC Apprentices. The annual programme reaches 1,300 students across 12 schools in the Jane and Finch community – all provided at no cost to participants as part of the National Ballet’s community outreach initiatives. This residency culminates in a performance welcoming over 320 family and community members, showcasing works from Definitely Dance, Elite Dance Initiative For Youth, Inspiring Community Dance Connections and York University’s Department of Dance.
The other program that funds from Mad Hot Ballet support are their Relaxed Performances. Ogden tells us, “It’s for people who wouldn’t be able to get to the ballet otherwise. It’s a really beautiful show. It’s just free for the entire audience.” Relaxed Performances are designed to create a welcoming and inclusive space for the Disability Community within the National Ballet, offering a more casual and approachable environment while still maintaining all the magic of a live performance. Families and individuals who have previously found access to the arts limiting can enjoy the ballet in a more accessible environment through Relaxed Performances, with such accommodations as: the ability to freely enter and leave the auditorium during the performance, quiet rooms, adjusted lighting and sound levels, ASL interpretation, live audio description and more. Since the first main stage Relaxed Performance in 2022, the annual presentation continues to be sold out each year, with over 1,300 patrons anticipated to attend the upcoming performance. The National Ballet is pleased to welcome patrons from such partner organizations as Autism Ontario, Down Syndrome Association Toronto, Fighting Blindness Canada, Geneva Centre for Autism, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Centre, VOICE for Deaf Kids and others.
Photo: Karolina Kuras
To join Mad Hot Ballet in raising these crucial funds and impacting the community click here.
Hillary LeBlanc
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