Mission Dance Company 20th Anniversary Gala

Mission Dance Company is proud to present, in celebration of its 20th Anniversary year, its 1st Annual ‘Red-Carpet’ Gala Fundraiser starring Canadian Ballet Icon, Evelyn Hart.

Featuring Principal Artists, Ian Szkolak and Olivia Latendresse, with special guest appearance by Artistic Director, Tanya Vadurova, and celebrated local Kelowna musicians, the Gala brings together some of the most recognized and beloved ballet excerpts from around the world, in what can only be described as a truly stunning ‘must-see’ event.

With funds raised going to support and enhance the Mission Dance Company mandate of providing Dance and Mentorship Education, Career Development & Professional Guidance, and extensive Live Performance Opportunities to Young Emerging Dance Artists in the Okanagan Valley, this one night only event looks to celebrate the many milestones the company has achieved over its 20-year history and its ongoing contributions to the rich artistic and cultural landscape of the city, and region.

Highlights of the Gala include: Performance by Evelyn Hart; video presentation on the life and career of Evelyn Hart; featured performance by Artistic Director, Tanya Vadurova; powerful and stirring performances by Gala guest artists and Mission Dance Company performers; a video presentation on the achievements of Mission Dance Centre & Company over the last 20 years; opportunity to walk the red carpet on Gala night; chance to bid on a selection of unique silent auction items; Invitation to attend a private ‘VIP’ post-show reception with the guest stars following the performance (VIP Level), opportunity to purchase an ‘add-on’ ticket to the special tea and talk on the afternoon of Saturday, April 15th; and an opportunity to have your photo taken with Evelyn Hart.

Join us this April and show your support of Mission Dance Company as it launches its next 20 years here in the heart of the Okanagan.

About Evelyn Hart:

As ballet dancers go, Evelyn Hart started her training late, making her sterling career and accomplishments are the more remarkable.

Born in Toronto in 1956, she began her training at 14, in London, Ont. She attended the National Ballet School in Toronto before moving to Winnipeg at 17 to study at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet’s professional division. She joined the RWB corps de ballet in 1976, was promoted to soloist in 1978 and to principal dancer in 1979.

In 1980, Hart won a bronze medal at the World Ballet Competition in Japan; later that year, Hart became the first Canadian to win a gold medal at the International Ballet Competition in Varna, Bulgaria – considered the Olympics of ballet – for the pas de deux Belong, choreographed by Norbert Vesak.

Besides her spectacular artistic accomplishments, Hart is recognized for her contribution to the development of the RWB and the art form of dance as a whole. Many of the classics of the company’s repertoire (including Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Swan Lake and The Sleeping Beauty) were brought in specifically to showcase her talents.

Her biography, Evelyn Hart: An Intimate Portrait, by celebrated Vancouver dance critic Max Wyman, was published in 1991; Moment of Light: The Dance of Evelyn Hart, a 50-minute film by Winnipeg filmmaker Gordon Reeve, debuted on national television in 1992.

In 2005, Hart left the RWB to dance as a freelance artist. On Aug. 23, 2006, she danced her swan song at the Grand Theatre in London, Ontario. She also danced as a guest artist with Toronto’s ProArteDanza, ending a 31-year career.

Hart’s awards and honours include: the Officer of the Order of Canada (1983), elevated to Companion in 1994; Jean A. Chalmers Award (2000); inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in Toronto (2000); named a “Friend” by Vancouver’s “Friends for Life” for her lifetime contribution to the organization (2000); Lifetime Artistic Achievement (Dance) Governor Generals Performing Arts Award (2001); two ACTRA Awards for best variety performer; YM-YWCA Woman of the Year (1987); Laureate of Excellence, University of Manitoba Health Science Centre Foundation; honorary doctorates from the University of Manitoba and McMaster University (Hamilton); Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada (2006); Member of the Order of Manitoba (2006).

(Biography source: The Nellie McClung Foundation).