White Hot Gala 2009 in Toronto
The National Ballet of Canada Holds Annual Fundraiser
© Y F Chin
Jun 2, 2009
The National Ballet is holding its annual fundraiser, WHITE HOT Gala this month in Toronto. Over the past two years, it has raised more than $1 million for the Canadian ballet company.
White Hot Gala
The company’s Director of Development, Diana Reitberger says it’s a wonderful event to showcase the tremendous talent at the National Ballet. “It's a great introduction to both classic and contemporary ballet. Following the performance, all 2000 guests will be treated to a reception…We have something very special in store this year - but it's a secret and will be revealed the evening of the event!”
Reitberger says some guests will even have the chance to get up close with their favourite dancers. “Following the reception, 500 gala guests will move back onstage for a fabulous dinner catered by celebrity chef Mark McEwen. The dinner onstage is quite special - there is something magical about experiencing the theatre from the artist's perspective - looking out at the audience. It also is a rare opportunity to meet our company of dancers and to dance on stage.”
Chan Hon Goh’s Last Dance
The gala will feature the last performance by retiring Principal Dancer Chan Hon Goh, who will be dancing Valse Triste, choreographed by Peter Martins. Other performers include Elena Lobsanova, the winner of the 2009 Erik Bruhn Prize, and her partner, Noah Long and First Soloist, Bridgette Zehr and Principal Dancer Zdenek Konvalina dancing Prokoviev Pas de Deux.
Fundraising National Ballet
Reitberger says fundraising is an important aspect of the company. “The National Ballet of Canada will receive a total of $7.7 million in donations from the private sector this year, with the majority of these funds coming from individuals. The Gala represents 12% of this total, which is a significant portion of our annual goal. Event fundraising introduces new audiences to the ballet and also encourages companies and corporations to buy tables for entertaining, which again widens our circle.”
And fundraising is even more important with the current economic downturn, according to Reitberger. “We are finding that our wonderful Friends and Patrons' Council members are maintaining their support this year. We have seen some softness understandably in the corporate community, but we have many significant corporate partners who are maintaining their support as well.
Individuals and foundations which depend on investment returns to make disbursements have had to cut back, but have been very transparent in letting us know the challenges they are facing. Many of our donors, who make significant donations on an annual basis, are postponing these decisions until they feel the economic situation has stabilized.”
Donations
To encourage fundraising, Reitberger says there is a year-end matching campaign (fiscal year end is June 30th) for new and increased gifts. Each donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $250,000. Reitberger says the company is hoping this campaign will help make up for the shortfall in fundraising this year. Earlier this year, the company announced it was canceling a fall tour of Western Canada.
The Four Seasons for the Performing Arts Centre will host the WHITE HOT Gala, Thursday, June 18, 2009. Contact The National Ballet (www.nationalballet.ca) for more information and tickets.
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