RWB INVITED TO PEFORM AT PRESTIGIOUS FESTIVAL INTERNACIONAL CERVANTINO IN MEXICO
Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet (RWB) is proud to be part of the Canadian contingent performing at the Festival Internacional Cervantino, one of the North America’s largest cultural festivals. Held in Guanajuato, Mexico, this prestigious festival will take place from October 9 - 27. The Company is delighted to present the Mexican premiere of the Juno award winning Going Home Star - Truth and Reconciliation. Joining the RWB once again on stage will be Steve Wood and the Northern Cree Singers.
“From a personal experience, it is exhilarating for artists to be on world stages; it challenges our dancers to go beyond their usual comfort zone and achieve even more artistry and technical excellence!” says artistic director and chief executive officer of the RWB, André Lewis.
Going Home Star - Truth and Reconciliation, produced with the support of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), is a choreographic representation of the many stories both told by Indian Residential School Survivors and their families. The creative team that brought this story to life includes renowned choreographer Mark Godden, Canadian novelist and TRC Honorary Witness Joseph Boyden, Cree actor, producer, former Member of Parliament; and TRC Honorary Witness Tina Keeper.
Going Home Star- Truth and Reconciliation premiered on October 1, 2014 and has been performed in full-length and reduced showcase versions 29 times. This ballet features an original, Juno-winning score composed by Christos Hatzis and includes appearances from Juno-winning Inuk Throat Singer, Tanya Tagaq, Steve Wood and the Northern Cree Singers.
The RWB received two 2017 Juno nominations for Going Home Star- Truth and Reconciliation. The award-winning nomination was Steve Wood and the Northern Cree Singers, Polaris Prize-winner Tanya Tagaq, and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra for Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment. The second nomination was for composer, and previous Juno winner, Christos Hatzis, for Classical Composition of the Year.
André Lewis, Tina Keeper, and Aboriginal and human rights activist, the late Elder Mary Richard; were honoured by the Governor General of Canada in recognition of their outstanding Indigenous leadership for their initiation of Going Home Star – Truth and Reconciliation
The Royal Winnipeg ballet is honoured to bring this important work to the Festival Internacional Cervantino in Guanajuato Mexico.
The Royal Winnipeg Ballet gratefully acknowledges the ongoing support of its funding partners: Canada Council for the Arts, Manitoba Arts Council, Winnipeg Arts Council, and Manitoba Sport, Culture, and Heritage, as well as the continued support of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, the Canadian Embassy in Mexico, Canadian Heritage, Global Affairs Canada, and the generous support of patrons, sponsors and donors.
“The RWB is renowned as one of North America’s most prestigious touring companies and we are proud to build on this decades long reputation for artistic performance and creativity before worldwide audiences” said Don Leitch, RWB board chair. “With the help of our funding partners and sponsors we will continue this proud tradition of carrying Canadian excellence to the world” he added.