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Ballet Kelowna explores love in Valentine91Ƶs Day show

The program will showcase three Canadian choreographers91Ƶ works

Ballet Kelowna is exploring the theme of love through a night of dance and movement.

The company91Ƶs show, titled Twilight, premieres on Feb. 14 and will have another show the next day.

Ballet Kelowna91Ƶs artistic director and CEO Simone Orlando said each piece explores love and relationships.

91ƵTwilight is a diverse collection of classical and contemporary works,91Ƶ she said.

91ƵWhen I did this programming over a year ago, I asked all the choreographers to propose works around the theme of love. I think they91Ƶve all come together beautifully, and I91Ƶm very excited about this program.91Ƶ

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The first piece in the program is choreographed by Montreal-based Kunal Ranchod. Orlando said the piece uses classical ballet elements set to classical Indian music.

91ƵIn this piece, the intricate rhythms of Indian classical music are juxtaposed with the lines and shapes of classical ballet,91Ƶ she said.

The second piece was originally created for Ballet B.C. by Joe Laughlin but has since been adapted for Ballet Kelowna. Orlando said the piece was inspired by big productions like Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty, but the choreography has a ballet-contemporary mix feel to it and explores the feeling of falling in love.

The last segment is a contemporary piece choreographed by Eva Kolarova.

91ƵWith Eva, her piece is a bit of a departure because she91Ƶs really looking at the idea of loneliness and separation,91Ƶ Orlando said.

Kolarova said she wanted to show the audience a different perspective on relationships.

91ƵWhat I91Ƶm curious about is how can we find a relationship first with ourselves before we go out and try to connect with other people?91Ƶ she said.

91ƵOften, we are pressured by society. There91Ƶs this pressure that says 91Ƶoh, you91Ƶre alone. You need to go and find someone91Ƶ. But I want to talk about the difference between loneliness and being alone.91Ƶ

91ƵBeing lonely, that91Ƶs isolation, it91Ƶs a social construct and it91Ƶs us being withdrawn from the community91Ƶ and it91Ƶs unhealthy. But being alone, it91Ƶs completely ok. It91Ƶs actually important to be alone once in a while and to question who we are and take care of ourselves first.91Ƶ

Kolarova said she hopes people will feel encouraged that while it91Ƶs alright to be in a relationship, it91Ƶs also alright to be alone.

91ƵI want people to be grateful for being alone because it91Ƶs a time of exploration and it allows us to fully focus on ourselves. From there, you can find fullness, fill your heart and you can have a beautiful relationship with other people.91Ƶ

For more information on showtimes and tickets, visit .

READ: Classic tale seeks North Okanagan ballet dancers


Twila Amato
Video journalist, Black Press Okanagan
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Twila Amato

About the Author: Twila Amato

Twila was a radio reporter based in northern Vancouver Island. She won the Jack Webster Student Journalism Award while at BCIT and received a degree in ancient and modern Greek history from McGill University.
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