This year is the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s 80th season, a momumental achievement for a ballet company. And to kick off the season is one of my favourite events of the whole year is Ballet in the Park! “Our home is the Prairies. The world is our stage.” sums up the RWB perfectly, and to be able to see the company perform outside, on the prairies themselves is a completely unique experience. So, what can you expect to see at Ballet in the Park?
Ballet in the Park takes place at the Lyric Theatre at Assiniboine Park, in the heart of Winnipeg. The Royal Winnipeg Ballet has now called Winnipeg home for 80 years, beginning life at the Winnipeg Ballet Club and gaining its royal status in 1953. Ballet in the Park has been staged for over 40 years now, and remains a beloved summer tradition for many Winnipeggers. It began in 1972 as “Dancing in the Park”, with the “Ballet in the Park” name that we know and love first used in 1980. Interestingly, in 1993, Ballet in the Park was cancelled, due to some financial difficulties. However, 16 of the company dancers organised the event on their own without pay, and even took care of the marketing and stage management. In 1994, it was performed at Rainbow Stage, another outdoor theatre here in Winnipeg. It was not held from 1995-1997, but returned in 1998. The Lyric Theatre opened in 1999, and they have performed there ever since!
What I love about Ballet in the Park is that you are able to see all three parts of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet. The Recreational Division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School will be staging a production of Alice (in Wonderland) next spring, and will be performing different excerpts at Ballet in the Park. I absolutely loved the small piece that we saw- there is an incredible energy, and all of the dancers are so talented. (Check out my Instagram Stories for more clips of it!) The RWB school is the largest dance school in Winnipeg, and has done so much for the Winnipeg and Canadian dance communities. This event gives young dancers a great opportunity to perform in front of an excited audience in a unique venue.
The Professional Division of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School is a prestigious balllet school known internationally for its quality of dancers. While they do have different productions that they get to perform throughout the year, like Spotlight and Coppelia, they are a vital part of Ballet in the Park. They often perform some of the pieces that will be included in the coming season or that have been previously perofrmed, as well as a technical demonstration at the intermission. This year they are performing Le Jardin Anime, which an excerpt from Petipa’s Le Corsaire. (Marius Petipa is one of the most notable choreographers in ballet, and his works from the nineteenth century are still widely performed today!)
And of course, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet company themselves! This year, we are incredibly lucky to see a large portion of The Wizard of Oz, which just premiered here in May. The Wizard of Oz has absolutely stunning costumes, a truly amazing score (mainly strings- so rare!), and fantastic choreography to match the story we all know and love. If you are planning to bring your kids to the show, this is the perfect year of Ballet in the Park for them! Wizard has something for everyone- munchkins leading the way. disco in Emerald City, and the most realistic Toto that you’ve ever seen. (Seriously- the puppet work in this production is outstanding, and you won’t be able to take your eyes off of Toto.) Choreographer Septime Weber has created a wonderfully energetic ballet, and you will certainly want to get up dance just watching it. You may even catch a selfie in Emerald City if you are looking hard enough…
I was able to chat with corps de ballet dancer Jaimi Deleau, about the show and what can make Ballet in the Park challenging. “The size of the stage can be an issue- sometimes group dances can be harder , but when we perform fun ballets like The Wizard of Oz it is so much fun for us because the audience gets into it!” She also shared her best tip for anyone going to Ballet in the Park: “Get here early, to get a good spot! We sometimes see people here before we dancers even get here, which is awesome because it means people are excited and want to be here.” The Wizard of Oz is truly a fantastic show, so I would also second getting there as early as you can!
With this being the 80th anniversary, this is going to be a truly spectacular Ballet in the Park. There is something particularly special about the prairies, and being able to see the RWB perform on the prairies with the golden sun lighting the stage is a unique experience, and you will be hard-pressed to find another company that gives back to their community like the RWB. I have introduced many friends to the RWB through bringing them to Ballet in the Park, and I believe that it is one of the best ways to enjoy the company (as well as our beautiful weather).
In addition to the amazing show and dancers, there are quite a few other things happening! There will be face painting and different crafts for the little one, to channel all of their creativity. There will also be pointe shoe tossing and a creative movement class before the show that anyone can participate in, if you are embracing your inner ballerina. And you can enter to win a three-pack subscription to the RWB’s 80th season (valued at $300 CAD)! And for the foodies out there, there are going to be several different food trucks there so you can get your fix. There is something for everyone at Ballet in the Park!
Ballet in the Park 2019
When: Wednesday, 24 July, Thursday, 25 July, and Friday, 26 July at 7:30 pm
Where: The Lyric Theatre at Assiniboine Park
What to Bring: Yourself, a blanket or a chair, sunscreen, and water!
Note: Ballet in the Park may be cancelled for inclement weather- check the RWB’s website for more information on the day of, and local radio stations will also be sharing updates.
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For more tips and ideas on how to make the most of outdoor dance events like Ballet in the Park. visit my Guide to Enjoying Culture Outside post! And if you are curious as to what you can expect from The Wizard of Oz, you can see my review here. This is absolutely one of my favourite events of the year, and once you attend, you will see why people visit Winnipeg in the summer just to see it! A once-a-year experience that cannot be missed.
Will you be going to Ballet in the Park this year? Follow my Instagram stories this week to see more snapshots and clips before you go!
Cheers,
The Historian
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