don't let this become a lost art!
The universe has a funny way of bringing things to your attention sometimes. As some of you know, I have been wanting to start adult ballet for some time, and am hoping to finally start at the beginning of next month.
Like many young girls, I had my first taste of ballet when I was about four. The pink tights, soft ballet shoes, hair scraped back and sprayed within an inch of its life, and the classical piano, hall of excited girls, soft noise of slippers on a wooden floor and the sheer pink skirt that I so desperately wanted summed up so much for me back then. My best friend and I used to go together, and I still remember the excitement I felt each class, and the terror and stage fright at recitals.
It’s been a good decade or so since those days, but the feeling of wistfulness, grace, glamour and fascination has never left. I still want to be pirouetting in pink satin pointe with ribbons.
The sad thing is, like many things lately, ballet in South Africa is at huge risk of becoming a lost art. The Cape Town City Ballet is struggling to survive, and heartbreaking as it is, without our help, our children may never get to see ballerinas in action like we did.
That means no dreams of being on stage, no dreams of graceful movement and poise… no dreams of ballet. 
The good news is that something is being done to save the ballet. An initiative is in the works which is giving hope to the cause, and helping to prevent one of our most beautiful forms of expression stay alive. Save Cape Town City Ballet is appealing to each and everyone to make a donation (no matter how small) to contribute towards keeping ballet alive in Cape Town.
It gets better – you also stand to get some cool goodies for helping out… all donors are in line to win fabulous things including the following:
* Tickets to a Gala Event
* 24 Bottles of wine
* A poster sized print
Please take a moment to visit Save Cape Town City Ballet and see what you can do to help!
Bloggers also stand a chance to win an uber slick 16GB iPad by posting this – so really, what more reason do you need to spread the word and do your bit to keep the dream of millions of girls in this city alive…
If you still need some more inspiration, just consider this for a second…
little dreamers in the making
“Dance is an art that inprints on the soul. It is with you every moment, it expresses itself in everything you do.”
~ Shirley Maclaine
Click Here to Save Cape Town City Ballet!
P.S. My reference number is RB1 – if you make a donation from here, please quote it, kaythanksbaai. x
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On 8 September 2010, two of South Africa’s most spectacular entertainment companies will join forces to present a sensational dinner cirque spectacular combined with world class ballet – a show that is set to enchant, captivate and inspire the hearts and minds of all who behold it! Yes, the sold out 2010 Love Magic Tour at Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams is extending it’s Cape Town season by one night only, to collaborate with Cape Town City Ballet in support of the company’s 75 year old legacy!
This dazzling once-off event will be hosted at Madame Zingara’s magnificent twenty five metre velvet big top with it’s ornate mirrored column’s, rich velvet drapes and beveled booths; all transporting one back to a by-gone era where cirque and magic ruled the world. With a full South African cast of performers, along with a troupe of international artists, the 2010 Love Magic Tour in collaboration with Cape Town City Ballet will offer a fantastic melting pot of dance, acrobatics, comedy, music, illusions and cirque.
Tickets are priced at R800 per person (Gold tickets) and R 1000 per person (Platinum tickets with on-stage seating) and include the full 2010 Love Magic Tour as well as breathtaking ballet performances which truly showcase the diversity and expertise of these incredible athletes – prepare to see multiple facets of this classical art form! Tickets also include a scrumptious 4 course meal and a bottle of bubbly on each table! From the superbly trained glitter-dusted waitrons to the incredible acrobatics, there are no boundaries to the night and that everything is possible.
Every world-class city deserves a world-class ballet company, where all members of the public can enjoy the beauty, the art, the physical prowess, and the grace of ballet – the ultimate sport! Lets stand together and look forward to another 75 years of excellence from Cape Town City Ballet. This is your last chance to see Madame Zingara’s Theatre of Dreams on Cape Town soil this year – and your only chance to experience this sensational circque spectacular with additional ballet performances!
To reserve your tickets, please contact the Madame Zingara box office on
(t) 021 001 3366 or (e) boxoffice@madamezingara.com