Karen Kain announced today that Mikhail Baryshnikov will attend this year’s annual fundraising gala, MAD HOT BALLET: Northern Lights as its special guest on 6 June 2017 which celebrates Canada’s 150th anniversary.

Kain, Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada, said,

Mikhail has always been a truly supportive friend to myself as well as to the company. He has a strong connection with the National Ballet, in fact weeks after he defected in 1974, he performed La Sylphide with Veronica Tennant at Ontario Place for an audience of over 10,000. I am so pleased that he will be with us at MAD HOT BALLET to celebrate Canada’s sesquicentennial.

MAD HOT BALLET has raised over $10.5 million to support the artists and activities of the National Ballet to date. MAD HOT BALLET: Northern Lights is anticipated to raise over $1 million in one outstanding evening. This year’s gala honours luminaries of Canadian dance, Veronica Tennant, Evelyn Hart, Frank Augustyn and Artist-In-Residence Rex Harrington.

The event begins with an hour-long gala performance celebrating Greta Hodgkinson’s 25th anniversary with the company, and 20th as Principal Dancer, and also Xiao Nan Yu’s 20th anniversary with the company. A reception with themed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will follow, and VIP guests will enjoy a private dinner onstage, followed by dancing with the Artists of the National Ballet.