Festival boasts Australian exclusive ‘International Stars of Ballet’ performances

Tickets are now on sale for two, exclusive International Stars of Ballet gala performances to be staged on June 25 and 26 by seven principal dancers and members of the San Francisco Ballet Company. The dancers are set to captivate audiences as part of the 10 day, 130 event, The Noosa Longweekend Festival to take place from June 18-27 in Noosa and Caloundra.

The extraordinary International Stars of Ballet troupe, under the direction of Australian born and internationally renowned dancer, Damian Smith will perform eight pieces in each performance. The works will include a collection of classical favourites including the White Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake alongside stirring, original, contemporary dance pieces.

The seven dancers (together with ballet master, Parrish Maynard) are Vanessa Zahorian, Davit Karapetyan, Sarah Van Patten, Pierre-Francois Vilanoba, Damian Smith, Frances Chung and Gennadi Nedvigin. All have danced and performed in world renowned ballet companies such as the Kirov, Bolshoi, Zurich, Royal Danish and the Paris Opera before joining the San Francisco Ballet Company.

Festival audiences will enjoy:
· White Swan pas de deux - Vanessa Zahorian, Davit Karapetyan
· Within the Golden Hour- Sarah Van Patten, Pierre-Francois Vilanoba (Wheeldon)
· Don Quixote - Frances Chung, Gennadi Nedvigin
· Romeo and Juliet balcony pas de deux - Sarah Van Patten, Pierre-Francois Vilanoba
· Aria - Damian Smith (Possokhov)
· Pas de deux (piece by Nicolas Blanc) - Vanessa Zahorian, Davit Karapetyan
· Pas de deux (Victor) - Frances Chung, Gennadi Nedvigin
· After the Rain pas de deux - Sarah Van Patten, Damian Smith(Wheeldon)

“We thank our presenting sponsor Netanya Noosa, for their assistance in bringing the international ballet stars to the Sunshine Coast for these, exclusive Australian performances, Festival Director, Ian Mackellar said.

“To be able to present these world class dancers on our doorstep is an absolute honour and a major festival highlight for 2010.

“We are already fielding booking enquiries from all over Australia and with ticket prices ranging from $45 for a full dress rehearsal preview performance of the show to $135 for AAA Gala performance seats including an after show soiree, we are expecting a sell out success,” Ian added.

In addition to the ballet performances, a ballet scholarship program has been offered as part of the festival. Seventeen talented ballet dancers (over 14 years of age) have auditioned for the privilege to participate in four master classes under the tutorage of internationally acclaimed dancer, Parrish Maynard. Mr Maynard is a faculty member of the San Francisco Ballet School after having completed his training and dancing with the San Francisco Ballet Company as a principal dancer. He has performed with other companies including the American Ballet Theatre and New York’s Joffrey Ballet and won numerous international dancing awards.

The final, two hour master class will be attended by International Stars of Ballet principal dancers with the session open to public viewing and followed by a question and answer session for a ticket price of $25.

For those not lucky enough to have gained a ballet scholarship master class position, two additional master classes will be conducted by Mr Maynard. The classes, which are open to ballet students over 14 years of age and held over two hours, will be strictly limited to 20 students and cost $50. Registration is essential by phoning the festival offices (07) 5474 9941.

INTERNATIONAL STARS OF BALLET AT A GLANCE
19.6, 20.6 & 21.6, Private master class 1, 2 & 3 (2 hours), 17 x scholarship winners, NOT TICKETED OR OPEN TO PUBLIC
19.6 & 20.6 1pm, Open master class 1 & 2 (2 hours), Open to ballet students over 14 years of age (strictly limited to 20 students per class) Noosa Professional Dance Academy (Noosaville), $50 **
25.6 10am, Public viewing of private master class 4 followed by Q&A (2 hours), 17 x scholarship winners, International Stars of Ballet principal dancers followed by Q&A session with Damian Smith and ballet master Parrish Maynard.,  Main Theatre, The Events Centre – Caloundra, $25*
25.6 2pm, International Stars of Ballet Dress Rehearsal/Preview, Main Theatre, The Events Centre – Caloundra, $ 45* Preview tickets will not be on sale until 7.6.10
25.6 7.30pm, International Stars of Ballet Gala Performance, Main Theatre, The Events Centre - Caloundra, $75 $85 AAA Seats
26.6 7.30pm, International Stars of Ballet Gala Performance, The J Theatre – Noosa Heads, $75 $135 AAA Seats plus after show soiree including food and beverage and opportunity to mingle with the Stars

*Group discounts (of 10 or more) are available for public viewing of private master class followed by Q&A, and preview, dress rehearsal ballet performance. Contact The Noosa Longweekend Festival directly for details on (07) 5474 9941.

**For bookings for open master classes telephone Amanda Powell at the festival office (07) 5474 9941.

TICKET SALES AND FESTIVAL PROGRAMS
· The full festival program can be viewed on line at www.noosalongweekend.com. Printed versions are available by phoning the festival office on (07) 5474 9941.
· Tickets for all festival events are now on sale. Visit the website for details.
· Tickets for Noosa events are on sale at The J Box office phone (07) 5455 4455 or online.
· Tickets for Caloundra events are on sale at The Events Centre, Caloundra phone (07) 5491 4240 or online.
· Interested parties are encouraged to register to receive festival news, updates and special offers on The Noosa Longweekend Festival website.
· Special festival accommodation packages are available. Visit the website for details.