Trailer courtesy San Francisco Ballet
This week, lovers of ballet the world over will once again have the opportunity to watch all – or part of – a 22-hour celebration of ballet on October 4 – 5, with World Ballet Day LIVE.
This is the day on which five of the world’s leading ballet companies each takes a 5-hour segment of this live stream, giving us access to their practice studios, as their dancers are put through their paces during daily class and rehearsals for forthcoming performances. We’ll also see footage from actual productions, and watch interviews with some of the members of each company.
This fascinating concept, now in its fourth year, has captivated online viewers from all round the globe, and features The Australian Ballet in Melbourne, moving to the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, then to The Royal Ballet in London, The National Ballet of Canada in Toronto, and finally our own San Francisco Ballet.
For those of us on Pacific Daylight Time, World Ballet Day LIVE starts in the studios of the Australian Ballet at 6.00 pm tomorrow, October 4, running until 11.00 pm. This is followed by five hours with the Bolshoi Ballet, from 11.00 pm on October 4 until 4.00 am on October 5. The Royal Ballet can be seen from 4.00 am to 9.00 am on October 5, The National Ballet of Canada from 9.00 am to 11.00 am, and San Francisco Ballet from 11.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Wherever you are in the world, check the website of the ballet company in your time zone (see below) for the actual time of the local stream on Facebook Live, and if you’re fortunate enough to have the entire 22-hour timespan at your disposal, how wonderful! You’re also encouraged to participate in this event, with your thoughts and views, using the hashtag #WorldBalletDay.
Prepare to enjoy some of the most fascinating insights into the realm of ballet, and some of the finest dancing in the world!