Save the date!

Have you heard of The Firebird - the ballet that electrified the classical dance world when Sergei Diaghilev and his newborn Ballets Russes introduced it in Paris 100 years ago? Well, prepare for another dance revolution - here in Houston - with the world premiere of Walsh's Firebird featuring famed Paris Opera Ballet Étoile Marie-Agnès Gillot and Domenico Luciano.





To celebrate this new creation and the 100th anniversary of the Ballets Russes, we invite you to join us for the Firebird Soirée held in conjunction with the Saturday, October 17th performance.

The evening will begin at 7:30 PM at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall with Dominic Walsh Dance Theater's 1909-2009: The Great Collaborators of the Ballets Russes. The celebration will continue with the festive Firebird Soirée at the Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom, capturing the Diaghilev spirit with cocktails, a seated Russian supper, artful conversation, and music by The Gypsies.





We will also honor Ben Stevenson at the Firebird Soirée with the inaugural "Spirit of Dance" Award. Back when Walsh was Houston Ballet's Principal Dancer, Stevenson recognized and encouraged Walsh's gift as a choreographer. We honor Stevenson, not only for his tutelage of Walsh, but for putting Houston on the world map for ballet. He is one of the most original figures in the development of regional ballet in the U.S. And though he is British, his achievement as teacher, choreographer, and company director is rooted in American ballet.

"It is with great admiration that Dominic Walsh Dance Theater has chosen to present Ben Stevenson, O.B.E. with the First Annual Spirit of Dance Award. To quote Judith Jamison: "Dance is about never-ending aspiration," and how well her words epitomize two great artists - Ben Stevenson and Dominic Walsh - who combine classical, brilliant, daring and innovative ." Carolyn Farb

Firebird Soirée

Chair: Dr. Carolyn Farb, hc

Honoree: Ben Stevenson, O.B.E.
Artistic Director, Texas Ballet Theater

Date & Time:
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Benefactor's Reception 6:15 PM
Performance 7:30 PM
Soirée 9:30 PM approximately

Location:
Hobby Center, Zilkha Hall
Four Seasons Hotel Ballroom

Attire:
Black Tie or From Russia with Love

Individual Tickets:
$250, $500, and $1,000

Tables:
$2,500, $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000 (Tables of Ten)

Special Opportunity for Benefactors:

Kick-off Cocktail Party in September hosted by Benjy's on Washington

Pre-reception in the Founders Salon of the Hobby Center graciously underwritten by MjC Events and Lucia and Michael Cordúa

For more information or to make a reservation, please call Leigh McBurnett at 713-652-3938 or email lmcburnett@dwdt.org

1909-2009: The Great Collaborators
of the Ballets Russes
October 15-17, 2009

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Zilkha Hall

Dominic Walsh Dance Theater celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Ballets Russes. Under Sergei Diaghilev, this revolutionary company drew upon the genius of leading composers, artists, choreographers and dancers to produce groundbreaking productions that redefined classical dance. In this tradition, Walsh offers his 21st century take on classics from that era - The Dying Swan, The Afternoon of a Faun, Le Spectre de la Rose, and The Firebird.

Pictured: DWDT Company Member Domenico Luciano (photo by Frank Atura). Marie-Agnès Gillot (photo by Anne Deniau). Ben Stevenson.