SFB 2021 Opening Night Virtual Gala

[pherank]

This one looks to be strictly for the bit money donors:

SAN FRANCISCO BALLET 2021 VIRTUAL BENEFIT

FEATURING AN 88TH SEASON OPENING GALA PERFORMANCE
Thursday, January 14, 2021

6 pm Event Start Time
7 pm Main Program + Performance and Dinner

Join the dancers of San Francisco Ballet for our first-ever virtual benefit featuring an 88th Season Opening Gala Performance—an entertaining evening hosted by Madison Keesler, SF Ballet Soloist, and curated by SF Ballet’s Artistic Director & Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson

https://www.sfballet.org/support-us/special-events/2021-virtual-benefit/

Congratulations to Madison Keesler for landing the hosting job.  😉 
This is not the first time that she has worked as a speaker/host - I do think she has the appropriate type of voice and stage presence for this kind of gig. Toi toi toi.

Edited December 4, 2020 by pherank

[seattle_dancer]

I enjoyed attending the performance in person last year and reliving it online in the summer.  Maybe SFB will allow viewing later in the year and ask for donations again?

PNB went with a free virtual gala this year.  I posted a link under the "Free Streaming during Covid-19 Crisis" thread.  I hope some people checked it out.  New exceptional pieces IMO were PacoPepePluto by Alejandro Cerrudo and Dylan Wald's debut in Apollo (he was also promoted to Principal Dancer).

Edited December 6, 2020 by seattle_dancer

[pherank]

2 hours ago, seattle_dancer said:

Maybe SFB will allow viewing later in the year and ask for donations again?

You know, I really hope so. Especially if it means they will be streaming new performances with the current crop of dancers.

[pherank]

Sasha Mukhamedov and Aaron Robison will dance In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated for the upcoming SFB 2021 Gala:

"...I also want to say a big thank you to @william_forsythe_ for working with us (be it over zoom) and inspiring us.. it was an incredible experience"

https://www.instagram.com/p/CI8n9J5gbxV/

[pherank]

As far as I can tell, Nikisha Fogo and Julian MacKay have been rehearsing Swan Lake for the gala (and performing for the cameras):

https://www.instagram.com/p/CI9gllFJ0Ac/

[pherank]

Welcome news:

Helgi Tomasson is finally choreographing a new piece, and he's shown here working with Fogo and MacKay [edit: these two will be dancing a Swan Lake PDD], as well as other familiar faces such as Greco, Sheehan and Rowe (behind the masks). Music will be by the Baroque era composer Rameau.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJJo-AYjiTQ/

Edited December 23, 2020 by pherank

[pherank]

San Francisco Ballet 2021 Virtual Benefit 88th Season Opening Gala Performance Program*

Premier Presenting Producer Osterweis Capital Management Presenting Producers Frederick and Shelby Gans JPMorgan Chase & Co. Linnea and George Roberts Denise Littlefield Sobel   Excerpt from New Work by Helgi Tomasson Composer: Jean Phillippe Rameau  Artistic Director Sponsor: Dr. Sunnie Evers  JULIA ROWE, LEILI RACKOW, BIANCA TEIXERIA, NATASHA SHEEHAN  DIEGO CRUZ, LUCAS ERNI, LUCA FERRÒ, LLEYTON HO    Dedicated To… by Yuri Possokhov  Composer: Victor Osadchev  Artistic Director Sponsor: Jennifer and Steven Walske YUAN YUAN TAN   Excerpt from Wooden Dimes, Danielle Rowe’s world premiere  Composer: James M. Stephenson  Artistic Director Sponsor: Alison and Michael Mauzé LUKE INGHAM, DORES ANDRÉ, MAX CAUTHORN   Pas de Deux from Coppélia by Arthur Saint-Léon  Composer: Léo Delibes  Artistic Director Sponsors: Richard C. Barker; Yurie and Carl Pascarella MISA KURANAGA, ANGELO GRECO   Excerpt from Myles Thatcher’s world premiere  Composer: Steve Reich  Artistic Director Sponsor: Christine Russell and Mark Schlesinger CASTING TO BE ANNOUNCED   Short film of Mrs. Robinson world premiere by Cathy Marston  Composer: Terry Davies  Artistic Director Sponsor: Fang and Gary Bridge SARAH VAN PATTEN, JOSEPH WALSH, LUKE INGHAM   Act III Pas de Deux from Don Quixote by Alexander Gorsky and Marius Petipa Staging and Additional Choreography by Helgi Tomasson and Yuri Possokhov Composer: Ludwig Minkus  Artistic Director Sponsor: Diane B. Wilsey NIKISHA FOGO, JULIAN MACKAY     Pas de Deux from In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated by William Forsythe (JAN. 14 VIP ONLY)  Composer: Thom Willems  Artistic Director Sponsor: James C. Hormel and Michael P. N. Hormel SASHA MUKHAMEDOV, AARON ROBISON     White Swan Pas De Deux from Swan Lake by Helgi Tomasson (JAN. 14 VIP ONLY)  Composer: Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky NIKISHA FOGO, JULIAN MACKAY A Special Thank You to Our Wine Sponsor  Rodney Strong Vineyards *As of December 21, 2020.

[sf_herminator]

3 hours ago, pherank said:

Welcome news:

Helgi Tomasson is finally choreographing a new piece, and he's shown here working with Fogo and MacKay [edit: these two will be dancing a Swan Lake PDD], as well as other familiar faces such as Greco, Sheehan and Rowe (behind the masks). Music will be by the Baroque era composer Rameau.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJJo-AYjiTQ/

This clip was also posted on their YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSR_UsCn3rI.  

Edited December 24, 2020 by sf_herminator

[pherank]

From today's SFB e-mail:

Creating Harmony in the Studios

Artistic Director and Principal Choreographer Helgi Tomasson announced on Wednesday that he will conclude his tenure in 2022 with the commitment to bring the Company back to live performances and the stage. As such, he has focused on the creation of new work and has been in the studios working with Company artists in choreographing his next premiere, Harmony.  An excerpt from Tomasson’s creation will debut at the sold-out 2021 Virtual Benefit Gala to be held on Thu, Jan 14, and it will be available to subscribers later this month. Everything old is new again in Tomasson’s piece, which is set to music by Jean-Philippe Rameau and features members of the corps de ballet: "Some of Rameau’s pieces, even though he was born at the end of the seventeenth century, feel almost contemporary," Tomasson says. "It doesn’t feel like old music." Watch here to learn more about Helgi's creation process. If you purchase a 2021 Digital Season Package before midnight on Wed, Feb 3, you'll receive one-week complimentary access to Tomasson's new piece, plus the Act III pas de deux from Don Quixote danced by new principals Nikisha Fogo and Julian MacKay!

[pherank]

Anyway, interesting to hear that the Virtual Benefit Gala is sold out, and that subscribers will get a chance to see a couple of items from the gala performances. I hope they make the entire gala available later on for a (reasonable) fee.   ;)

[PeggyR]

Last week I wrote to SFB and (politely) complained that only large donors were allowed to view the Gala. They responded: “As a Premium Plus Digital Package holder, you will have access to a special bonus program featuring many of the performances [emphasis added] featured on the evening of our virtual benefit.  You will have access beginning January 25^th for 1 week.”  So, it looks like more than ‘a couple of items’ - at least I hope so.  

 I appreciate that we get this as part of our subscriptions, but it seems like a missed opportunity to raise more funds.  Many of us are happy to pay $100+ just to attend the Gala performance without any of the big-donor perks.  I’d certainly be willing to pay to attend digitally (yes, I’ve made a donation in lieu).  On the other hand, at least I don't have to hobble to the Opera House in heels.

 It’s also curious how something digital is ‘sold out’.  I know some platforms have limitations on how many can log in, so maybe that’s the reason, but it still seems a little odd. 

Anyway, I’m more than happy to have regular performances ballet back in my life.

Edited January 14, 2021 by PeggyR

[seattle_dancer]

6 hours ago, PeggyR said:

 I appreciate that we get this as part of our subscriptions, but it seems like a missed opportunity to raise more funds.  Many of us are happy to pay $100+ just to attend the Gala performance without any of the big-donor perks.  I’d certainly be willing to pay to attend digitally (yes, I’ve made a donation in lieu).  On the other hand, at least I don't have to hobble to the Opera House in heels.

 It’s also curious how something digital is ‘sold out’.  I know some platforms have limitations on how many can log in, so maybe that’s the reason, but it still seems a little odd. 

I've had all of these thoughts as well and so disappointed SFB locked up their gala after PNB offered their first free virtual gala (and asked for donations) in November.  When the company goes the donation route, they also have the opportunity to add names to their donor database, and since virtual, can really expand around the globe.  That's an opportunity to sell more virtual subscriptions in so many states and countries.

I only attended the SFB gala once and only the performance, so what do I know.  Perhaps the dinner crowd would be offended if not an exclusive event and they don't want to upset them and future sales/support.

It is very nice that virtual subscribers will have limited access for one week.  I'm curious to see what the selections will be.  Also, I'm hoping the entire gala will be available later in the summer like last year with the matching gift offer from the Board of Trustees.

[pherank]

PeggyR I do get your concerns. It can't have been easy for SFB staff to plan how to pull this digital gala off - with the virtual food sharing and "mingling" with SFB artists and staff. It remains to be seen whether this model will work. I hope we get to hear from one or more attendees.

Presumably, SFB needed a way to provide the big donors something exclusive (and worthy of a larger donation). The event being "sold out" probably means they are using the same yardstick as before of table seats sold and applying it virtually this year. There's always been a certain number of seats available at each of the fundraising levels, and no more, so I think each of the tables on each of the levels have been reserved at this point (apparently for both the main event and the ENCORE! fundraising event). Which is a good thing; however they obviously don't have a flexible way to allow people to pay for just the performances aside from advertising the Premium Plus Digital Package. So we season ticket holders will get to see some, but not all, of the gala.

[pherank]

Gala mood - provided by Misa and Angelo:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKC4LOTnWj-/

[pherank]

And here's the gala host in all her glory:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKC6dPKnhcr/

[California]

21 hours ago, pherank said:

PeggyR I do get your concerns. It can't have been easy for SFB staff to plan how to pull this digital gala off - with the virtual food sharing and "mingling" with SFB artists and staff. It remains to be seen whether this model will work. I hope we get to hear from one or more attendees.

Presumably, SFB needed a way to provide the big donors something exclusive (and worthy of a larger donation). The event being "sold out" probably means they are using the same yardstick as before of table seats sold and applying it virtually this year. There's always been a certain number of seats available at each of the fundraising levels, and no more, so I think each of the tables on each of the levels have been reserved at this point (apparently for both the main event and the ENCORE! fundraising event). Which is a good thing; however they obviously don't have a flexible way to allow people to pay for just the performances aside from advertising the Premium Plus Digital Package. So we season ticket holders will get to see some, but not all, of the gala.

According to the Instagram "stories" this morning, SFB actually had a fleet of delivery trucks taking actual dinner, wine, and flowers to each donor before the streamed gala started! So that would explain the limitation on number. They are raising the bar on streamed events, for sure. (Sorry - no way to give you a link to Stories.)

[pherank]

2 hours ago, California said:

According to the Instagram "stories" this morning, SFB actually had a fleet of delivery trucks taking actual dinner, wine, and flowers to each donor before the streamed gala started! So that would explain the limitation on number. They are raising the bar on streamed events, for sure. (Sorry - no way to give you a link to Stories.)

Big donors outside the Bay Area were also part of the food arrangements (using local sources). Although I bet deliveries came when they came and people just dealt with it. I imagine it felt like a truly enormous conference call, or "party line" as it was called in the old days of telephony.

[pherank]

Vanessa Zahorian, Davit Karapetyan and daughter Isabella took part in the gala celebration (there's a shot of Helgi in a Zoom window on their laptop):

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKE0zs9AyMU/

[pherank]

Misa Kuranaga took a photo of the dinner offerings all neatly packaged on arrival (4th photo in sequence):

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKFV_TeHzla/

[pherank]

Madison Keesler addressing the gala audience:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CKPi7s4gaii/

[pherank]

I contacted SFB Ticket Services and found out that "highlights from the gala will be available beginning January 25th".   😉