News Releases
Hong Kong Ballet Performance May 7 to Raise Funds for Renaissance ROM China Initiative
Friday, May 7, 2004, the Hong Kong Ballet will present a Gala performance of the North American Premiere of the Legend of the Great Archer at the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts. This powerful ballet is an original work by Hong Kong Ballet Artistic Director Stephen Jefferies. Legend of the Great Archer is inspired by the classic Chinese folk tale about Yi, the Archer God, and symbolizes Hong Kong's renewed dynamism and vibrancy. The Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office, organizers of the Hong Kong Ballet's North American Tour, has offered to donate the proceeds of the Toronto performance in support of the Renaissance ROM China Initiative.
William Thorsell, Director & CEO of the ROM, recognized the unique partnership between the ROM, the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto, the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office and Toronto's Chinese community. "The ROM is truly grateful for the outstanding commitment and support we have received from the Chinese community here in Toronto and abroad. We welcome the participation of our friends in this Campaign to support the ROM's rebirth as Canada's leading international museum."
Thorsell thanked Madame Chen Xioaling, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto for their commitment to the China Initiative, the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office for their generous support of Renaissance ROM, and the Organizing Committee for their contributions in making the upcoming performance possible.
Rita Tsang, Chair of the Hong Kong Ballet Organizing Committee and a member of the Renaissance ROM Campaign Executive, appreciates the role museums play in promoting cultural exchange. "I believe in building bridges between countries and communities. Every city deserves a great museum and the innovative new ROM will encourage even more people to learn about the rich cultural history of China. Renaissance ROM represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for all of us to make a lasting contribution to our great city."
Tsang has assembled an impressive group of people from the Chinese community to raise $8.75 million in support of the China Initiative, a part of the $200 million overall goal for Renaissance ROM.
Madame Chen Xiaoling>, Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Toronto, and Honorary Advisor to the Renaissance ROM Campaign Cabinet, offered words of support for the China Initiative. "China and Canada have always enjoyed close ties and what the ROM is doing will just bring us even closer together. The Chinese Consulate General is pleased to participate in the Renaissance ROM China Initiative, and help advance the Museum's vision in building a stronger presence for China, one befitting the magnitude and importance of the ROM's Chinese Collection."
Speaking on behalf of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (Canada), Director Bassanio So said: "In bringing the Hong Kong Ballet to Canada, we want to demonstrate to Canadians Hong Kong's vibrancy and sophistication through the magic, beauty and artistry of this ballet performance. Legend of the Great Archer is about a hero who saved the world by shooting down 9 of the 10 scorching suns. It symbolizes how Hong Kong has recovered and re-launched itself by overcoming one difficulty after another since the SARS outbreak last year. Not only will this performance benefit Renaissance ROM in terms of money raised, it will also act as a bridge for a cultural exchange between the cultures of the East and the West and make the event a perfect example of a win-win cultural collaboration between Canada and Hong Kong." So is also an Honorary Advisor to the Renaissance ROM Campaign Cabinet.
All production costs of the Hong Kong Ballet performance will be borne by the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the Renaissance ROM project. Toronto is the first stop in the Hong Kong Ballet's North American tour which also covers Vancouver, San Jose and Washington D.C.
Pre-sale of tickets will commence starting March 3. Those interested may call the St. Lawrence Centre Box Office at (416) 366-7723 or 1-800-708-6754, or pick up tickets in person at the St. Lawrence Centre Box Office at 27 Front Street East, Toronto. The Box Office is open Monday to Saturday from 10:00am - 6:00pm, and until curtain time on performance days.
Tickets for the performance range from $50 to $80, and $250 for the Gala Tickets, which also include a gala dinner at Le Royal Meridien King Edward Hotel following the performance. A special invitation-only VIP reception will be hosted by the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office preceding the performance. Different categories of sponsorship for this event are also available by calling the ROM Foundation's Vanessa Abaya at (416) 586-5578.
Issue date:
March 3, 2004
For more information:
Media Relations
Tel.: 416.586.5547
Fax: 416.586.8022
E-mail: media@rom.on.ca
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