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June 25, 2010
Dancers head to Israel
Winnipeg ballet plans Middle East performances.
RHONDA SPIVAK
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet will be performing in Israel and Jordan this fall.
“In 1975, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet was the first Canadian ballet company to perform in Israel. We are thrilled to return during our 70th anniversary,” said RWB’s publicity manager Jacques Marcoux.
After its performances in Israel, RWB will travel to Amman, Jordan, for one performance there. “RWB has never been to Jordan before [and] is the first Canadian ballet company to perform in Jordan,” Marcoux wrote in an e-mail, adding that it was “following a performance in Ottawa [that] the former [Canadian] ambassador for Israel Alan Baker expressed an interest in having the RWB perform in Israel.”
RWB is also partnering with Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, which has planned a mission to Israel to coincide with the ballet company’s tour to the country.
Linda Goldstine, director of financial resource development at the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, explained that, after RWB was invited to perform in Israel, “they then contacted the Federation and asked that we plan our fall mission around the touring ballet [while they are in Israel].”
Members of RWB are expected to join the Federation mission for selected touring events in Israel on the first two days, before their rehearsals begin.
While in Israel, RWB will perform Argentine choreographer Mauricio Wainrot’s Carmina Burana and Canadian choreographer Peter Quanz’s In Tandem, in three performances in Tel Aviv, two in Jerusalem and two in Haifa.
The trip has already garnered interest from a number of dignitaries. According to Marcoux and Goldstine, those confirmed on the Federation mission – who will see RWB perform on opening night in Tel Aviv – are Greg Selinger, premier of Manitoba; Hugh McFayden, leader of the opposition; Dave Chomiak, minister of innovation, energy and mines; Christine Melnick, minister of water stewardship; and Tannis Mindell, secretary to the Treasury Board.
“The trip will be an experience of a lifetime, and what a thrill watching an RWB performance in Israel,” said Bob Freedman, chief executive officer of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, who will also participate in the mission.
As far as those from the ballet company traveling to the Middle East, Marcoux said there will be nearly 50 members of RWB, including 27 dancers participating in the trip. He also noted that RWB has been in contact the Israel Ballet Company. “We are looking forward to connecting with them while there,” he said.
Following its performances in Israel and Jordan, RWB will perform in Slovakia and the Czech Republic, as well.
When asked whether RWB had made any attempt to set up performances in the Palestinian territories, Marcoux said, “There were some initial discussions that occurred regarding potentially performing in [the Palestinian territories], however, due to scheduling constraints and a later than ideal start on discussions, plans for this have been postponed for the time being. The RWB is definitely open to the idea of performing [there] at some point in the future.”
RWB has performed in more than 573 cities and towns in 44 countries, making it one of North America’s most toured international companies.
RWB will perform in Israel in October 2010. For information, visit rwb.org.
Rhonda Spivak is a freelance writer and editor of the Winnipeg Jewish Review.
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