Pandemic obligates, the Grands Ballets annual benefit gala proposed a whole new formula this year to bring together its partners and donors.
The challenge was huge given the impossibility, again this year, of welcoming Grands Ballets Canadiens patrons to the traditional annual fundraising dinner and gala. Fortunately, gastronomy, elegance and dance have always been present, in an innovative formula that combines the individual and the technique: in virtual reality. The formula was a success and generated a total of $430,000 in donations.
Les Grands Ballets provided donors and partners with an experience that was completely out of the ordinary by immersing benefits gala participants in the heart of three Grands Ballets shows, without ever having to leave their living room. From May 27 to June 27, the company offered home delivery of the VR headset featuring the performance of the dancers, a complete immersion that reaches all senses and accompanied by a hearty meal designed by Vermont Rain Elizabeth.
It was a way to support Les Grands Ballets in its primary mission, which is to create, while living an unprecedented experience that brought participants directly to the stage with the company’s dancers.
The 30-minute virtual video was created specifically for the event in collaboration with La Fougue and drew participants into a dreamlike world, at the forefront of the creative world of Grands Ballets.
In addition, thanks to the contribution of Édéenne, the luxury jeweler, each box also contained a case containing zircon … or a 1-carat diamond valued at $14,000. The winner was announced June 28 on the Édéenne website.
This experience was offered between May 27 and June 27 and can be booked online via the Grands Ballets website.
This ambitious benefits party allows the company to enrich its repertoire and bring the best of dance to the public. The experience would not have been possible without the constant assistance of the campaign leaders: Jean-Yves Bourgeois, Senior Vice President, Desjardins Group Business Services, Sylvain Corbel, Senior Vice President, Business Services, Quebec Regions. Quebec and Atlantic TD, Matthew Piché-Messier, Partner – National Business Manager – Commercial Litigation Borden Ladner Gervais, Claude Gagnon, President BMO Financial Group, Quebec, Nadine Renaud-Tinker, President, Quebec Branch RBC Banque Royale, and Host Julie Snyder, and President Productions J.
Les Grands Ballets would like to thank its partners: Desjardins, RBC, TD, BMO, BLG and Productions J. In addition to the Grands Ballets ($25,000): BMO, Cogir Immobilier, Desjardins, RBC and TD Bank Group.
For over 60 years, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens has been an international creation and production company dedicated to developing dance in all its forms, drawing on the discipline of classical ballet. Les Grands Ballets dancers, under the artistic direction of Ivan Cavallari, perform choreography by leading and innovative creators. Established in the heart of the Quartier deslasses in Montreal, Les Grands Ballets offers recreational activities with its studios and supports the National Center for Choreotherapy, which promotes all the benefits of dance. The company’s mission is also to ensure access to art for all and, in this spirit, it awards, among other things, the Nutcracker Fund that allows thousands of children to be created in ballet each year.
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