Gallic Gala at Saratoga Performing Arts Center
An Evenng at the Moulin Rouge on Bastille Day
By: SPAC - Jul 10, 2012
Saratoga Springs, NY – The Belle Époque era comes to life on Saturday, July 14 at Saratoga Performing Arts Center’s Annual Ballet Gala, “An Evening at the Moulin Rouge.” The popular summer fundraiser, which coincides with “Bastille Day,” will recreate the atmosphere of a Parisian lounge circa 1900, with a champagne and La Fée Absinthe reception, a strolling accordion player, exquisite French cuisine and guests dressed in period attire. The centerpiece of the evening will be a special performance by New York City Ballet highlighted by a World Premiere ballet by Justin Peck. Organized and hosted by SPAC’s Action Council, proceeds from the event support the summer residency of the New York City Ballet at SPAC.
Across the venue’s expansive grounds, SPAC’s Junior Committee hosts the Gala Lawn Party. Known as one of Saratoga’s most elegant, yet affordable summer galas, guests enjoy live music and candlelight picnics and parties on SPAC’s lawn. A highlight of this year’s Lawn Party will be the picnic contest with this year’s winners inaugurating a new trophy dedicated to the late Philly Dake, the founder and former President of the Action Council.
“The Ballet Gala is one of the most highly anticipated events on the Saratoga summer calendar. My warmest thanks go out to Action Council President Gerri Golub and Event Chairs Andrea Spungen, and Michel Patterson for the creativity and tremendous effort they've invested in planning this event. The evening promises to be an elegant, exciting celebration of the partnership between SPAC and New York City Ballet and an opportunity to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Paris’ legendary Moulin Rouge where art, music, and dance flourished,” said Marcia J. White, SPAC's President & Executive Director.
In keeping with tradition, the Gala program by New York City Ballet will showcase new choreography including a World Premiere ballet by Justin Peck. Peck’s ballet, titled In Creases, is set to composer Philip Glass’ Four Movements for Two Pianos. It will be the first world premiere presented by NYCB at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center in more than 25 years, and only the seventh SPAC premiere in NYCB history. Also highlighting the program will be the Saratoga premieres of new works by Benjamin Millepied and Christopher Wheeldon.
White noted that New York City Ballet’s gala program offers “the rare opportunity to see a trio of modern masterpieces by three dynamic choreographers whose vision underscores the exciting new directions the art form is moving in the 21st century. We are proud to be able to make such an extraordinary opportunity available to our audiences.”
Lawn admission to the Gala is $50 per person; tickets are available at spac.org or at the SPAC Box Office. Lawn table and tent rentals also available through SPAC at spac.org
Tickets for the Hall of Springs Gala, which include admission to the champagne reception, dinner and premium seating for the New York City Ballet performance, are $250/pp and can be purchased by calling Linda Deschenes at SPAC at 584-9330x115, linda@spac.org.