American stars under an African sky, dancing for rhino orphans
With proceeds donated to rhino orphan conservation, ballet entrepreneur Dirk Badenhorst has created an unusual but enticing ballet event by taking some of America’s brightest ballet talents and presenting Stars of American Ballet in the Bush at the Legend Golf and Safari Resort in the Waterberg in the Limpopo province on Monday 23 June 2014.
Claiming that this cultural wildlife adventure will be “luxury for a cause”, Dirk Badenhorst says the event was designed to raise awareness of the devastating onslaught on Africa’s rhinos, with proceeds being donated to The Rhino Orphanage.
Graciously supporting the initiative is US ballerina Michaela DePrince, and as patron of this Ballet in the Bush rhino orphan project, she brings her own remarkable story as an African orphan herself.
From an African orphanage to the international ballet stage
Born into war-ravaged Sierra Leone, Michaela DePrince saw her parents die while just a toddler. Once in the orphanage, the combination of a skin disorder and local superstitions meant that she was labelled the “devil’s child” and was ignored, mistreated and malnourished.
She was only four years old, left with a bleak future and little hope.
Michaela DePrince during rehearsals for Stars of American Ballet. Photo by Bill Zurich
But hope arrived in the form of a picture in a magazine that blew up against a gate – a picture of an American ballerina en pointe. From that moment, little Michaela only wished to become that exact person on tippy toes and her obsession with ballet began – even as unknown as ‘ballet’ was to her then.
Shortly after, she was adopted by a loving American family and soon ballet lessons led to ballet competitions and then full-length professional ballet productions.
Now Michaela brings her hope and inspiration to the rhino orphans who need every bit of hope and help. This tailor-made Ballet in the Bush adventure includes a game drive, an opportunity to play on the World-in-One Signature Golf Course at the resort, and of course the highlight will be a gala performance in an outdoor amphitheatre by international ballet stars, directed by New York City Ballet principal Joaquin de Luz.
Isaac Hernandez and Michaela DePrince rehearsing a scene from Don Quixote. Photo by Bill Zurich
In addition to highlights from major classics such as Le Corsaire, Don Quixote and Diana and Actaeon, the Stars of American Ballet programme also showcases choreography never before performed in South Africa, such as works by legendary choreographer George Balanchine, including his Broadway inspired classic, the Who Cares Suite.
So, are you looking for a little adventure for a good cause? Can you make things happen on short notice? Yes? Well here’s what you need to know…
See Joaquin de Luz, principal at New York City Ballet perform in Stars of American Ballet. Seen here with fellow NYCB principal Ana Sophia Scheller.
Details for Stars of American Ballet in the Bush
Dates: Monday 23 June and Tuesday 24 June 2014
Venue: Legend Golf and Safari Resort, Waterberg, Limpopo Province
Safari Package price: R1 800 per person sharing, or R2 300 for a single Safari Package (or ask about the group/corporate packages), which includes a donation to The Rhino Orphanage.
Package includes:
- 1 Ticket to the Stars of American Ballet performance and Gala Dinner function.
- Pre-performance cocktails and snacks.
- 1 Night accommodation at Legend Golf & Safari Resort.
- Breakfast.
- Game Drive in the Big 5 Entabeni Safari Conservancy.
Valid for 23 June 2014. Terms and conditions apply. Additional nights available.
For more information contact:
Dirk Badenhorst on 083 324 0949 or badenhorstdirk.db@gmail.com
Lindsay McDonald on 011 877 6900 or lindsay@dirkbadenhorst.com
Jonathan Hurwitz on 011 877 6901 or jonathan@dirkbadenhorst.com
Category: Dance News
