I have written about Ballet in the Park before. It is one of my favourite annual traditions and absolutely the high point of my summer. I’m not a heat or sun person, but if I can enjoy an incredible ballet performance, I am in! It is exactly what it sounds like, ballet performed in a theatre at a park. And finally, in 2022, RWB’s Ballet in the Park will be back on stage performing Agnes de Mille’s Rodeo!
What is Ballet in the Park?
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet first held “Dancing in the Park” in 1972 at Assiniboine Park here in Winnipeg, a free event where anyone can come and watch the world-renowned company perform at the Lyric Theatre at Assiniboine Park. The company typically performs a 30-40 minute piece/ excerpt, and the Professional Division and Recreational Divisions of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School also perform, too. All in all, it’s usually a free 90 minute show!
Below, you can see part of the performance from the 2019 Ballet in the Park where they performed some of the pieces from The Wizard of Ox!
The History of Ballet in the Park
As I said above, the tradition started in 1972- yes, that would make this year the 50th anniversary! It was first called “Ballet in the Park” in 1980, and that has remained it’s name ever since. The event was meant to be cancelled because of financial issues in 1993 but several dancers took it upon themselves to organise and stage it without pay! Aside from 1995 to 1997, Ballet in the Park has happened every summer on the last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings in July. That is, until Covid turned the world upside down and 2020 and 2021 had to be cancelled.
Want to Attend Ballet in the Park?
If you are in Winnipeg in the last week of July (27-29 July), this is a must-attend event! It is free- no tickets or booking required. All you need is a blanket or a lawn chair, and to get to the Lyric Theatre at Assinboine Park before the show starts at 730pm. However, I would recommend getting there at least an hour early; I usually get there and put out my blanket by 330pm to get a front row seat. (If nothing else, I would be there by 7- it is always good fun to watch the dancers warm up.) There are usually food trucks there but you can also bring your own snacks.
The company will be performing Rodeo, one of Agnes de Mille’s most popular ballets- I chatted about it here!
Interested in seeing what the RWB has performed at Ballet in Park in past years? You can find my Ballet in the Park post here!
Are you a fan of outdoor cultural events, like the RWB’s Ballet in the Park?
Cheers,
The Historian
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