China’s Guangzhou Ballet Performs For the First Time in Toronto at the Sony Centre For the Performing Arts‏

MEDIA RELEASE - For Immediate Release:

Assignment Desk, Arts Writers, Dance Writers, Entertainment Writers, Listings, Photo Desk

For the First Time in Toronto, China’s Guangzhou Ballet Performs at the Sony Centre For the Performing Arts on October 18, 2011 in “Return on a Snowy Night” in the Support of the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation

Toronto, ON, September 16, 2011 -- On Tuesday October 18, 2011, at the Sony Centre for Performing Arts, The Guangzhou Ballet from China comes to Toronto for the first time in “Return on a Snowy Night”, choreographed by renowned Chinese-Canadian choreographer Xing Bang Fu. Special guest host for the evening will be one of Canada's most respected actresses, Marilyn Lightstone. A Canada – China culture education exchange event, this spectacular performance is being held in support of the Toronto General & Western Hospital Foundation.

The Guangzhou Ballet Troupe made its Canadian Debut in Ottawa and Montreal in 2010 to sold-out audiences. Officially welcomed to Toronto by the National Ballet of Canada, The Guangzhou Ballet’s 2011 production, “Return on a Snowy Night” is brilliant and extravagant with a cast of 88 dancers direct from Guangzhou (formerly Canton), China. "Return on a Snowy Night" is a tragic, forbidden love story between a Peking Opera singer and a high-ranking officer's concubine. Love at first sight turns into desperate heartache when they were torn apart and kept from each other for 20 years.

"I was amazed and totally surprised - I did not expect it to be so wonderful and of such high quality. Here is a first class international ballet, based on a classic Chinese story that can equal any western classical ballet. The dancers are magnificent and the set and costumes immaculate. And then I discovered that the Chinese choreographer comes from Toronto - even more surprising and wonderful! It will be a very exciting addition to Toronto's theatre programming." - Mark Hammond, Director, Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

"Guangzhou Ballet Troupe from China showed the kind of brilliant classical ballet technique that Montreal only rarely sees, and it was a pleasure to watch." - The Montreal Gazette

Producer of the event, Alice Wan, Founder of China Focus Inc., whose soul mate had a brain tumour removed in a groundbreaking awake surgery by world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Mark Bernstein said, “Dr. Bernstein gave my Pao 2 more years of life with this surgery when he was only expected to live 6 months. Pao always referred to Dr. Bernstein as his “angel doctor”. I am so grateful for the care he received at Toronto Western Hospital and I want Dr. Bernstein to be able to continue teaching this type of surgery to many more doctors. Every patient deserves to have the best care… and Dr. Bernstein is the best!”

Tickets for The Guangzhou Ballet from China’s “Return on a Snowy Night” at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts start at $40 and can be purchased by calling 1-855-872-SONY(7669), at http://www.sonycentre.ca/Events/Event-Detail.aspx?evtID=524 or Ticketmaster http://www.ticketmaster.ca/event/100046EFAB418EB8?artistid=1619846&brand=sony&camefrom=cfc_sony_centre_sonyweb_Guang. Ticket purchasers are automatically entered into a draw to win a 7 day cultural trip for 2 to Guangzhou, China. Winner to be announced at the event.

Produced by China Focus Inc. with support from community partner Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto and sponsored by Pearl Harbourfront Chinese Cuisine, CTV, Classical 96.3FM, Canadian Sinfonietta, Novotel Toronto Centre, Fastar Printing Inc., Octopus Media Group, Benn Media Group, and On the Fly Public Relations.

China Focus Group invites the media and the public to visit their Presentation Centre for more information at 100 Front Street East, Toronto, ON.

www.chinafocusgroup.com

About China Focus Inc.:

China Focus Inc. was founded and established in 1991 by Alice Wan, a native of China. Wan immigrated to Toronto, Canada in 1975 and comfortably made her mark as a reputable, successful and established businesswoman throughout Canada's thriving entrepreneurial landscape and within the international scene.

Throughout the years Wan has traveled extensively, seeking fine art pieces and objects to add to her collection of treasured Chinese antiques. Wan's passion for the Arts made it easy for her to establish a bridge between Canadian and Chinese business initiatives. Her mission to develop strong ties between her birth place of China, and her now homeland of Canada makes China Focus Inc., the ideal partner for bringing the exclusive performance of The Guangzhou Ballet’s “Return on a Snowy Night” to Toronto, along with many other unique projects.

China Focus Inc. has been involved in bringing a number of exhibitions to Canada. Such as: "Treasures of Shanghai" for the Charities to Doctor's Hospital and the China Cultural Centre; "Exhibits of Jiang Su Rosewood Furniture" – Ming and Ching Style for the United Way Charities; "Folk Art Exhibition of Xien" for the Varity Club Charity, in addition to being an active partner with the Canadian National Exhibition since 1986.

The company has maintained offices in Toronto, Singapore and China and has integrated current technologies that allow its staff to operate 24/7 in order to meet the special needs of their clients.

About The Guangzhou Ballet:

The Guangzhou Ballet Troupe from China was established in 1994 and has risen to its current solid reputation in China, earning numerous prizes at international dance competitions in Paris, Helsinki, and Moscow. The company has toured the United States, France, Japan and Singapore, Russia, UK, Australia, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Hong Kong, and Canada, winning critical acclaim along the way.

Its rich repertoire embraces both the Western classics and original ballets on Chinese themes and includes such works as Romeo & Juliet, Coppelia, Swan Lake, La Traviata, Cinderella, La Sylphide and Giselle as well as the Chinese ballets: Mei Lanfang, Dreaming Red Mansions, Turandot, Butterfly Lovers, Yellow River and Celestial Phoenix.

Talent development has always been of great importance to the Guangzhou Ballet Troupe from China. By inviting specialists and celebrated ballet tutors from within China and from abroad, the troupe has maintained its vigor and vitality, and has fostered a wealth of exceptional dance talent. One special invitation was extended to Canada’s own, renowned choreographer, Xing Bang Fu who eventually created several stunning ballets for the company including his latest masterpiece, “Return on a Snowy Night”.

About Choreographer Xing Bang Fu:

One of Canada's foremost dance artists, Xing Bang Fu founded the Xing Dance Theatre of Canada in 1986 and is highly respected for his innovative work both in Canada and in China. Born in China, Fu trained at the Beijing Ballet School and furthered his dance training at the School of American Ballet Theatre and the Washington Ballet.

Fu's recent work, White, created and danced by him is a struggle from dark to light, taking the audience on a spellbinding journey. His other major works include: Young Shepherds of the Field, Shades, New World Symphony Hun & Lackme and Sha-Tu, Duang Huang Goddesses of Silk Road, The Nutcracker, Beautiful Orchid, Sea Blue, and Giselle for his Xing Dance Theatre of Canada.

For the Guanghzhou Ballet, he choreographed Yellow River, Rice, Mei Lanfang, Butterfly Lover and his latest piece: Return on a Snowy Night.

"Fu's trademark is contemporary dance that fuses traditional Chinese movement with Western ballet in choreography that is very pretty and very lyrical", said arts writer and critic, Paula Citron. “Xing is one of the most challenging and underrated choreographers in the country.”

About Dr. Bernstein and Toronto Western Hospital – The Krembil Neuroscience Centre:

Toronto Western Hospital - The Krembil Neuroscience Centre is one of the many outstanding units in the Toronto Western Hospital. One of the top 5 neurological centres in the world, home to one of the largest combined clinical and research neurological facilities, it is a leader in research achievements, education and patient care.

In September 2010, the first virtual reality neurosurgery training centre opened at the Krembil Centre. The new facility is a virtual reality stimulator, which enhances surgical training and allows neurosurgeons to practice complex surgeries.

The Krembil Neurosciences Centre has many fine leaders. One of them is Dr. Mark Bernstein. Dr. Bernstein is a pioneer of awake brain tumour surgery and in late 1996 he performed the first outpatient brain surgery in the world. A conscious patient can give vital feedback, allowing the doctor to know exactly what he is cutting into that might affect the patient. After a short period of recuperation the patient can actually leave the hospital the same day as the surgery! It is now a proven safe procedure for patients with gliomas and metastatic tumours.

As a doctor and researcher, Dr. Bernstein focuses on neuro-oncology and bioethics. He is also a devoted educator, training surgeons now only in Toronto but also in developing countries in Asia and Africa. He has published over three hundred medical articles and a book on brain tumours.

Dr. Mark Bernstein, BSc., MD, FRCSC, MHSC Neurosurgeon, Toronto Western Hospital, Professor of Surgery, University of Toronto with the first ever awake brain surgery patient in Ghana.

When

Oct 18th 2011

8pm

Where

Sony Centre for Performing Arts:
map

Cost

$40.00- $173.00

More Information

Lindsey Phelan

905 626 7426

http://www.chinafocusgroup.com/home.htm

This announcement by Lindsey Phelan
More announcements by Lindsey Phelan here.