As this challenging and unprecedented year draws to a close, Sadler’s Wells brings together a group of some of its most talented artists, collaborators, and fans from all over the world, for its first ever virtual fundraising gala.
Taking place on Saturday 5 December at 7:30 pm GMT, this specially curated online showcase will feature bespoke performances, sketches, and messages from Sadler’s Wells global family of artists and friends. Audiences can register for more information about the event here.
After a difficult year for artists, audiences, and organisations around the world, the Global Gala is set to celebrate the joy and beauty of dance, whilst raising funds that will support the future full reopening of Sadler’s Wells, following the longest period of closure in its 300-year history. The Gala will reflect on this extraordinary year and speak to why it’s especially important to keep celebrating and promoting dance at this time.
Thanks to support from Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta and its creative director Daniel Lee, the hour-long programme is free to access online via Sadler’s Wells YouTube channel, and will include opportunities for audiences to donate. All funds raised through the event will be matched and will contribute to the full reopening of our theatres and the return of artists and audiences to our spaces.
The evening features appearances from a diverse and international group of world-leading dancers and choreographers, from household names to breakthrough talent across ballet, contemporary and hip-hop dance styles. Artists appearing include Carlos Acosta, Nafisah Baba, William Forsythe, Sylvie Guillem, Akram Khan, Jason Kittelberger, Magical Bones, Lukas McFarlane, Natalia Osipova, Alesandra Seutin, Hofesh Shechter, and James Whiteside, alongside companies including Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Russell Maliphant with National Youth Dance Company, and Soweto Skeleton Movers.
The evening also features appearances and messages of support from Sadler’s Wells ambassadors and friends including acclaimed sculptor Antony Gormley, broadcaster Brenda Emmanus, actor Ophelia Lovibond, composer and saxophonist Soweto Kinch, award-winning actor and director Fiona Shaw, and 17-time Grammy Award-winning artist, Sting.
Performances featured in the event include a specially commissioned performance of the duet, Fields Of Gold, from Sadler’s Wells Associate Artist Kate Prince’s Message In A Bottle, performed by two of the original company Nafisah Baba and Lukas McFarlane. Message In A Bottle, a Sadler’s Wells and Universal Music UK production, sadly had to close its run at The Peacock theatre earlier this year due to the coronavirus lockdown. Fields Of Gold will appear with a special introduction from Sting. The filming of Fields Of Gold was made possible by support from Barclays.
The programme also features Once With, a short new work choreographed especially for the Global Gala by internationally acclaimed Jason Kittelberger. This new duet will be danced by Jason Kittelberger and one of the world’s greatest ballerinas and Royal Ballet principal, Natalia Osipova to Jean Sibelius’s 13 Pieces for Piano, Op.76: No.2 – Etude arranged for cello and classical guitar.
The Sadler’s Wells Global Gala is made possible with support from headline partner, Bottega Veneta. Throughout 2020, Sadler’s Wells and Bottega Veneta have cemented their partnership to sustain creativity in its purest expression, with the two creative organisations continuing to collaborate and find ways to support one another, as we navigate these unprecedented times.
Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells said: ‘2020 has been a challenging year to say the least. In normal circumstances, Sadler’s Wells welcomes over half a million people to our spaces each year, and our artists and audiences are what keep our world turning. For most of 2020, that hasn’t been possible.
Nonetheless, we remain committed to our mission and continue to strive to make and share dance that inspires us all in new and innovative ways. We wanted to find a moment to come together to celebrate the good things that have been able to happen this year, and the creativity that has been possible, while at the same time, generating support that will help Sadler’s Wells fully reopen in 2021. At this time, I think it’s more important than ever that we find ways to celebrate and enjoy dance, and we hope that many of you will join us on the 5 December to do just that.’
Sadler’s Wells Global Gala takes place on Saturday 5 December, from 7.30pm – 8.30pm GMT, on Sadler’s Wells YouTube channel.
Audiences can find out more and register their interest at http://sadlerswells.com/globalgalaevent
