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Alberta Ballet Pursuing Options to Replace Cancelled National Ballet Sleeping Beauty Production

Calgary/Edmonton, AB - Alberta Ballet confirmed that, after receiving notification yesterday afternoon of the cancellation of The National Ballet of Canada's Western Canadian tour of The Sleeping Beauty, they are pursuing alternatives to secure another ballet to open its 2009-2010 season, highlighted by the much anticipated ELTON.

"In order to avoid undue financial risk, we have decided to not proceed with the five city tour to Western Canada in September," said the National Ballet of Canada's Executive Director Kevin Garland in a news release issued Monday. "This is a decision we make with the deepest regret but one that is necessary in the current difficult economic environment."

The news release, issued late yesterday, by The National Ballet of Canada stated that it is facing a deficit situation for the first time in many years.

"We will certainly miss hosting the National Ballet of Canada in our 2009-2010 season and we wish them all the best for the rest of their coming season," says Darryl Lindenbach, Alberta Ballet's Executive Director. "It is a challenging economy and this is the second such setback in the ballet world in the past six months. But even so, Alberta Ballet continues to grow and lead and our audiences know that we will continue to provide them with the world-class ballet experiences they have come to expect."

Alberta Ballet expects to announce how it will address the cancellation of The National Ballet of Canada's The Sleeping Beauty shortly.

About Alberta Ballet:
Alberta Ballet, a not-for-profit organization, is Canada's third-largest ballet company. Since its formation in 1966, with its cutting-edge repertoire and talent led by Artistic Director Jean Grand-Maître and Darryl Lindenbach, Executive Director, Alberta Ballet has remained at the forefront of the national and international arts scene. One of the only arts organizations in Canada to call two cities home, Alberta Ballet is proud to be a community leader both on and off the stage.

Media contact:

Samantha Garner, Marketing & Communications Coordinator
P: 403-245-4222 ext. 529 | E: samanthag@albertaballet.com