Montreal, May 17, 2017 – The annual Benefit Gala of Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal, held last Saturday, May 13, at Uniprix Stadium, was an outstanding success, allowing the company to raise close to $625,000.

The 600 guests were treated to a glamourous, memorable evening! They were welcomed by the gala’s co-presidents, Sylvie Demers, Chair, Quebec Market for TD Bank Group and Sylvain Corbeil, Senior Vice President, Quebec and Atlantic Region for TD Commercial Banking, as well as Constance V. Pathy, Chair of the Board of Directors at Les Grands Ballets, Artistic Director Gradimir Pankov, 2017-2018 Artistic Director Ivan Cavallari and Executive Director Alain Dancyger.

The Gala began with a cocktail, followed by a gourmet dinner. On the program was a performance of Dim Light of Dawn by choreographer Ken Ossola. The guests had the chance to relax in the Roche Bobois lounge designed by Jean-Paul Gauthier and enjoyed makeup touch ups at the Lancôme booths. In addition to the many luxurious prizes, 60 prizes of $1,000 were drawn throughout the night to highlight the 60th anniversary of Les Grands Ballets. Jeweller Édéenne also had a great surprise for the guests, hiding an $18,000 worth 1.24 carat diamond in one lucky guest’s champagne flute! Another lucky winner scored the grand prize, valued at $60,000, which included gifts offered by Air France, Roche Bobois, the Mandarin Oriental Paris Hotel, Clusier, Arthur Murray, Michel Desjardins, Maison ISHI, Vincent Prager, Jura and Les Grands Ballets! Finally, at 10 p.m., the dance floor opened! To the rhythms of Paul Chacra’s “1945” orchestra, guests danced to their heart’s content with the company’s dancers.

This major fundraising event allows one of the country’s greatest cultural institutions to achieve its mission and fund its productions and multiple projects. Creation and innovation lie at the heart of the mandate of Les Grands Ballets, the spearhead of its eclectic repertoire and daring choreographies.

To ensure its visibility and outreach, the company relies on the support of donors and sponsors, which represents approximately 23% of its budget. Since its inception 60 years ago, Les Grands Ballets has forged long-lasting links with subscribers, donors, private foundations and members of the business community. The generous support of these partners is essential to the company’s financial stability. We hope to see you at our next Benefit Gala in the spring of 2018!

PRÉSENTE

BALLET NATIONAL D’UKRAINELES GRANDS BALLETS CANADIENS DE MONTRÉAL’S

BENEFIT GALA: A DAZZLING EVENING!

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PRESS RELEASEFor immediate distribution

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SPECIAL THANKSLes Grands Ballets wishes to thank:

The company would also like to thank the gala’s committee for its precious collaboration: Virginie Vincens, Public Relations and Marketing Director, Prestilux, and Stéphane de Broux, Associate, Deal Advisory,

Restructuring and Turnaround, KPMG.

Les Grands Ballets also receives assistance from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Canada Council for the Arts and Conseil des arts de Montréal.

Les Grands Ballets wishes to thank the evening sponsors:

Information:

Sheila SkaiemPublic Relations ManagerLes Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréalsskaiem@grandsballets.com514 849-8681, ext. 239

Premiere Circle - $25,000 and moreAnonymous (2)Banque NationaleBMO Groupe financierCogir ImmobilierFinancière Sun LifeTD

Production Circle - $12,000 and moreBirinco Inc.Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec Fednav LimitedManuvieSAQUpperkut

Choreography Circle - $8,000 and moreAccuracyArtopex Inc.Banque Laurentienne du CanadaBanque ScotiaBanque TDBCF Avocats d’affairesBorden Ladner GervaisDorel Industries Inc.EYFibrenoireFondation Groupe AGFGestion de Patrimoine TDGroupe FonctionalabGroupe Investors & Dentons CanadaMondal FamilyNewadOsler, Hoskin & Harcourt S.E.N.C.R.L./s.r.l.PomerleauRBCStikeman ElliottTennis Canada