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| ARKA BALLET DEBUT POSTPONED DUE TO ICE STORM |
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 21, 1999 Contact: Caroline Wilks (703) 330-0335 or Tania Chichmanian (301) 587-6225 Washington, DC — The worst ice storm in 50 years put the lights out throughout the Greater Washington, DC area January 15 and caused the cancellation of ARKA Ballet’s debut. Downed power lines left close to half a million homes and businesses without electricity, including the Performing Arts Center in Rockville where ARKA Ballet was to have performed Friday night. The performance will be rescheduled as soon as possible. Under the artistic direction of company founder Roudolf Kharatian, ARKA Ballet is Washington DC’s newest professional ballet company. The January 15 Inaugural International Gala Performance was to mark the official launch of ARKA Ballet. The program featured the work of Washington area choreographers Kharatian, Mark Mejia and Lorraine Spiegler, local dancers, and young international stars — some of whom came from as far as Germany, Lithuania and Canada — in a mixed program of classical and contemporary choreography, including works by French choreographer Claude Brumachon and Belgian-born Ben Van Cauwenberg. By Thursday evening’s dress rehearsal at the Kirov Academy of Ballet, which generously provided rehearsal space, all participants were at the height of form and perfection — the excitement and sense of friendly, but serious, competition were palpable. As the student audience marveled at the spectacular show of talent, energy, expression and pure joy, one couldn’t help but wonder expectantly at the magnificent spectacle on performance night as lights and sound would heighten the polish of dancers in full costume exploding onto the scene before a capacity audience. ARKA Ballet’s debut has been greatly anticipated by the Washington area community and news of the forced cancellation spread quickly via word-of-mouth. In a magnificent gesture of support, prominent community activists Mr. and Mrs. Vartkess and Rita Balian opened their home to the disappointed troupe by hosting an impromptu reception in honor of ARKA Ballet. "We are all deeply touched by the Balians’ thoughtful gesture which highlighted our determination to reschedule this as soon as possible," said Kharatian. "The outpouring of concern, love and support from the public has been overwhelming. We will not disappoint our audience — the show will go on!" ARKA Ballet directors and volunteers will now focus on the logistics of rescheduling — choreographers’ and dancers’ schedules need to be coordinated with theatre availability, and new funding must be found to bring all the out-of-town dancers back to Washington. A testament of their belief in and commitment to ARKA Ballet and its mission, all the choreographers and dancers have given voluntarily of their time, talent and energy to make this premiere event possible. ARKA Ballet will inform ticket-holders and the public as soon as a new date is set. ARKA Ballet is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization whose mission is to nurture, develop and showcase international-level dance talent through inspiring and challenging choreography. ARKA Ballet is committed to the development of the art of ballet as a contemporary form of expression. For more information, call (703) 330-0335 or (301) 587-6225 or e-mail: arkaballet@lycosmail.com |