Experience the Extraordinary

I would like to invite you to experience something extraordinary!

I?m not trying to be outrageous in my comment. I?m being quite sincere.

When it comes to change in any of us one of the biggest roadblocks we face is our perception. It is based on all kinds of knowledge and experiences we?ve gathered and then somehow we sift out a final product that seems to fit our personal belief or value system.

Let me give you two brief examples and I?ll start with a question about each.

What do you immediately think of when I say the names Flin Flon and then Pinawa/Pine Falls?

If I were to guess I?d say for Flin Flon you?d say things like northern, mining, great town mascot, and maybe fishing and logging.

For Pinawa/Pine Falls you might say hydro, recreation, natural beauty or cottage country.

What would you say if I used some of the following terms? Opera, scientists, world educated, ballet, music, and culture, just to name a few. Probably not the first things to come to your mind are they? It?s probably not in our first perception-unless we?re challenged to change it for some reason.

But, what if I told you that both Flin Flon and Pinawa/Pine Falls have a strong percentage of well educated individuals, all who have come from various parts of the world to work at very specialized jobs? There are mining specialists, geologists, market analysts, environmental specialists, engineers, doctors and medical specialists, hydro consultants, structural engineers, electrical engineers, heavy equipment specialists, lobbyists and civil servants, just to name a few. They also have very dedicated individuals who are working hard to provide opportunity to experience culture and make their communities a great place to work and live.

Were you aware that Flin Flon for example, had a world class opera singer living there and who performed in major centers? Jon Vicars was thought to be in the same class as Pavarotti and went on to perform across the world. A funny side note was that he was convinced to join the Flin Flon Glee Club chorus by their piano player-who was Neil Young?s grandmother!

For a small community they have a very vibrant arts culture. They have performed classical Masterworks productions and choreographed Broadway musicals in alternating years which are very costly to produce.

I didn?t know that. But they do.

My perception was similar to many others and I was quite surprised at how strong both those communities are culturally. But my perception was inaccurate simply because I hadn?t been challenged with an experience that would make me think differently.

Let me take you closer to home. For the last four years we?ve been presenting The Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Concert Hour Ballet Tour.

Concert Hour Ballet was conceived by David Moroni, C.M., Founding Director of the RWB School Professional Division, as an opportunity to present young audiences with dance. Its goal is to bring the art of dance to students who would not necessarily have an opportunity to experience the performing arts.  Each November, senior students in the Ballet Academic Program embark on a two-week tour through Winnipeg schools, rural communities of Manitoba and neighboring provinces.

A unique aspect of the program is that the dancers all pitch in getting ready for the show, taking on tasks that would normally be done by a technical crew, such as laying down the dance floor, assembling and setting up the ballet barres, etc. Concert Hour Ballet allows RWB School students to gain experience touring and performing for a live audience and are invaluable in preparing them for the demands of a professional career.

The school performances begin with a short lecture demonstration that introduces the audience to the history of ballet, dance terminology, a dancer?s training and other interesting facets of the art form. A fully staged and costumed performance follows the lecture demonstration, in which the artists present a mixed repertoire that includes classical ballet, modern pieces and excerpts from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet repertoire.

From these modest beginnings, RWB School Professional Division has risen to become one of North America?s most respected institutions, training dancers and dance professionals worldwide. Graduates of the Professional Division are highly sought after and employed by dance companies in every capacity from principal dancer to teacher, artistic director and choreographer.

Recognized as a national center of dance excellence, RWB School is able to offer all the benefits of a close-knit community with the prestige of a world class dance education.

When I first brought them to our city I knew very little about ballet. Except for the fact that I was often the brunt of jokes from my more sports loving buddies who mocked me when I told them I was going to bring them here.

I still remember to this day how moved I was when I first saw them perform. I had never seen such wonderfully choreographed dance. They performed excerpts from classics such as Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. Their costumes, beautifully designed and vivid with color, were a delight to any artist.

As I grew to understand this art form more, I came to also understand that these people were athlete?s who have to be in outstanding physical condition to do an entire performance. Their training would rival any football or hockey player. Like every good athlete these people devote their life to their craft.

We?ve opened up the opportunity for people in Portage to experience the ballet. Like my experience, it may be a chance to change your perception of this beautiful art form.

I know that when I see parents and grandparents bringing their children to it and hear the laughter, or the ?awe?s? and ?oohs? I?m reminded why we do this. It?s an incredible experience for both young and older alike.

If you haven?t yet attended this concert may I encourage you to do give it a try? If you have children or grandchildren it?s the perfect opportunity to build some wonderful family memories. Or, come as a couple or with friends and don?t worry about coming by yourself. You?ll meet lots of wonderful people here just like you trying it out.

As I look ahead to a new generation in our city it would wonderful to leave them with a legacy of telling their kids ?When I was your age I remember going to see the ballet at the Glesby Centre. I?ll remember that moment for the rest of my life!?

I invite you to experience the ballet. You?ll experience the extraordinary!

Royal Winnipeg Ballet School

Concert Hour Tour

Sunday November 27, 2011

Showtime : 7pm

Tickets: Adults $15 Students and Children $8