Victoria, get ready for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The legendary Ballet Nacional de Cuba is making its Western Canadian premiere here in our city, Feb. 3 and 4 at the Royal Theatre (7:30 p.m.).
They’ll treat audiences to a program that includes classics like Swan Lake (adage of the second act), Don Quixote (suite) and the Nutcracker (suite) all choreographed by Alicia Alonso, the blind 92-year-old matriarch of BNC. But they also have quintessentially Cuban ballet in the program, including Acentos (choreographed by Eduardo Blanco), Dialogo A 4 (Alonso) and Idilio (Blanco).
Local dancer Selena Gonzales had the chance to train with the BNC as a part of their international student-training program and says the BNC is unlike any other ballet company in the world. “They are definitely one of the best companies in the world in terms of technique and performance ability, but they also have this distinctive passion, flair, energy and dynamism,” she says. “They have a really strong ability to do tricks — amazing turns, huge jumps, and they have wonderful flexibility and strength.” Tickets start at $25 and are available at 250-386-6121. M