Last weekend, the cast of 24 Preludes by Chopin traveled west to represent The National Ballet of Canada at the Cultural Olympiad in Vancouver, B.C. Performing alongside Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet, seeing the Olympic torch and being in Vancouver when Canada won its first gold medal were all in a days work. Corps de Ballet member Christopher Stalzer blogs about the tour.
Thursday, February 11: Travel day. The airport was very busy as one might expect. After we arrived in Vancouver we headed to the hotel and I promptly fell asleep, feeling the time change.
Friday, February 12: After being woken up by the torch relay outside my window, I got ready to head to our company class, which was taught by none other than former Principal Dancer Chan Han Goh. It was very nice to see her again and catch up. After rehearsal a couple of us headed to Gastown to do a little shopping and some sightseeing. And after fighting the crowd at The Bay’s Olympic store, we headed back to the hotel to enjoy the Opening Ceremony.
Saturday, February 13: Today we took a combined class with Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet. It’s always great to meet and work with new people. After a tech and dress rehearsal we were in for a busy afternoon. We went to see the Olympic flame, but unfortunately it was behind a fence and we could not really get very good pictures with it. The performance that evening went smoothly followed by a reception for the kick off for the Cultural Olympiad.
Sunday, February 14: After the second performance we bought some food and had a cookout on the rooftop of our hotel to wind down. Despite how warm it was during the day it got a little chilly at night, so we brought out the mitts and blankets to keep warm.
Monday, February 15: We traveled back to Toronto today and immediately got back into rehearsal for the Winter Mixed Programme of 24 Preludes by Chopin & A Suite of Dances & The Four Seasons which opens the Winter Season in Toronto on March 3, 2010.
[Photos: Top, Jordana Daumec and Artists of the Ballet in 24 Preludes by Chopin. Photo by Bruce Zinger. Second, the crowd outside The Bay. Third, Christopher with the Olympic flame. Fourth, breaking out the mittens and blankets on the rooftop patio. Photos courtesy of Christopher Stalzer.]
