Cape Town City Ballet Celebrates 21st Open Day Today

The Cape Town City Ballet's popular annual Open Day will be celebrating its 21st Birthday today 14 March 2015 at the UCT School of Dance in Rosebank, Cape Town.

Starting at 10h00 in the morning, the action packed day is a major highlight on the ballet calendar in Cape Town. It provides excellent entertainment for the whole family and offers a rare behind the scenes glimpse into the daily life of a professional dancer.

This year's Open Day, organised by CTCB's Keith Mackintosh for the 21st time, promises to be a bumper edition, showcasing the work of the Cape Town City Ballet, the UCT School of Dance, the Cape Junior Ballet (CJB) and ZAMA Dance School.

Visitors can begin their day by watching the professionals in Company Class taught by Tracy Li, or visit CJB dancers in a Pre-Professional Classical Ballet Class which includes repertoire and coaching, conducted by Daniela Di Lorenzo. The latter is suitable for all budding ballerinas to observe.

Company Rehearsal will see Prof Elizabeth Triegaardt taking CTCB dancers through their paces for the forthcoming production of Carmen.

Young visitors are catered for and can participate in several activities which include face painting, stage make-up or experiencing a tactile moment with costumes and headdresses from CTCBs wardrobe department. An Introduction to Ballet class, open to all aged 9 - 90, will be conducted by Robin van Wyk. Patrons can partake, dressed as they are, in the fun of a beginners' ballet class.

Other activities include CTCB's outreach partner, ZAMA Dance School, directed by former company dancers Andrew Warth and Leanne Voysey. UCT School of Dance provides a look into the life of a student dancer, with a Contemporary Dance Class conducted by Janine Booysens, a Spanish Dance Class led by renowned Spanish dancer Mavis Becker and an African Dance Class taught by Jamie Lee Curtis.

The big highlight of the day will be the 21st Fundraising Performances presented by Keith Mackintosh, when dancers from CTCB, CJB & ZAMA perform a variety of spectacular short ballets and pas de deux.

Everyone is welcome to attend Open Day, meeting their favourite dancers and having a photograph taken with them. Refreshments are available for purchase throughout the day. Dance togs, ballet DVDs and CDs will also be available for purchase.

No pre-booking is available for the Open Day. Admission is R40 for adults and R20 for children under 13, allowing entry to all the activities except the Fundraising Performances.

Tickets for the Fundraising Performances at 12h30 or 13h30 are available on the day from the Friends of the Ballet table at R50.

All proceeds from Open Day support Cape Town City Ballet's Outreach Programme.

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