American ballet stars inspiring visit

Queensland has welcomed some of the world’s best ballet dancers, with the stars of the American Ballet Theatre visiting the Queensland Performing Arts Centre ahead of their exclusive season of Swan Lake in Brisbane later this year.

Tourism and Major Events Minister Jann Stuckey and Arts Minister Ian Walker said it was fantastic to see the Artistic Director and two Principal dancers from the American Ballet Theatre help promote this major event on Queensland’s cultural calendar.

“To have secured the first-ever Australian season of the American Ballet Theatre, exclusive to Queensland Performing Arts Centre, is a coup for Brisbane and provides another fantastic reason for visitors to travel to the city in 2014,” Minister Stuckey said.

“The American Ballet Theatre is another example of the Newman Government securing the world’s finest performing arts companies to Brisbane, building on the city’s reputation as a premier arts and cultural destination.

“The American Ballet Theatre will attract visitors to Queensland from across Australia and overseas, supporting the Queensland Government’s commitment of doubling overnight visitor expenditure from $15 billion to $30 billion by 2020.”

American Ballet Theatre will bring four of the most highly regarded works from their repertoire for the exclusive season at Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the classic Swan Lake and a contemporary program called Three Masterpieces which includes Bach Partita, Seven Sonatas and Fancy Free.

Arts Minister Ian Walker announced that regional Queensland communities can see performances thanks to a regional simulcast presented by Queensland Performing Arts Centre. 

“Nine Queensland regions will enjoy a simulcast of Swan Lake on Friday 29 August 2014,” he said.

“Through the simulcast presentation, we are ensuring that people all over the state can access this wonderful world-class performance.

“It’s another great example of the Queensland Government's Arts for all Queenslanders strategy, whichis committed to fostering a strong community of arts, and increasing public access to and value for arts and culture.”

Regional centres involved in the simulcast are: Ayr, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Mackay, Maryborough, Rockhampton, Toowoomba, Mount Isa and for the first time - Charters Towers.

Booking details for the regional simulcast will be available from June 2014. Visit qpac.com.au for more information.

[ENDS] 3 March 2014

Media Contact:

Minister Stuckey’s Office: 3719 7240

Minister Walker’s Office: 3719 7480