The virtual ballet stream from August 15-September 13 will feature new dance performances, archives from previous festivals, interviews with directors and artists, and much more!
The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down many local restaurants, retail shops, and boutiques. The dance community has been no stranger to closures due to the new normal and social distancing guidelines that have caused the International Ballet Festival of Miami (IBFM) to go virtual in its 25th year.
All of the IBFM performances will be streamed virtually from August 15 until September 13. Beyond the performances, the IBFM will stream interviews with directors and artists, dance films, archives from previous festivals, exhibitions of fine arts, and much more.
The free events of the festival will begin on August 15 with the official unveiling of the IBFM poster, which was created by Cuban artist Noel Suarez. This unveiling will be followed by a dance-inspired fine arts exhibition titled “Movement,” streamed from the Miami Hispanic Cultural Arts Center’s JW Warner House.
From August 17-21 more free events will be streamed via the IBFM Facebook Page. IBFM will release its archives of the best international performances from the last 24 years. Also streamed during this time will be virtual ballet workshops. On August 29, IBFM will present dance book presentations and author interviews with Dr. Daniel Lewis, author of "Daniel Lewis: A Life in Choreography and the Art of Dance" and also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, and Jennifer Kronenburg, former ballerina at Miami City Ballet and author of "So you want to be a ballerina?".
On August 22 until September 9, IBFM will team up international ballet companies from Argentina, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Estonia, Italy, the Philippines, Slovenia, Switzerland, and the U.S. to present pre-recorded full-length performances to all viewers for just a $10 access fee. These performances will stream through Ticketmundo’s virtual platform, “PLAY,” and the proceeds will be donated to each participating company to ensure the global delivery of ballet programs.
The festival’s finale will occur on September 11-13, consisting of three live-streamed performances, featuring principal dancers from major U.S. and Miami ballet and contemporary dance companies. The performances include “Contemporary Performance,” “The Etoiles Classical Grand Gala,” which will be streamed live from Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater, and the presentation of the IBFM “A Life for Dance” lifetime achievement award, which will honor Dr. Daniel Lewis, an international-recognized dancer, teacher, choreographer, author, and founding Dean of Dance at the Miami New World School of Arts.
The last finale performance is the “Festival Closing Gala” which will feature all participating artists with a different program.
To learn more about the schedule, performances, or to grab a ticket, visit the IBFM.
