FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The 2024 Hong Kong Ballet Ball 45th Anniversary Sapphire Soirée
[Hong Kong — 5 October 2024] In celebration of Hong Kong Ballet (HKB)’s 45th Anniversary, The 2024 Hong Kong Ballet Ball – 45th Anniversary Sapphire Soirée was held on Saturday, 5 October 2024 at Rosewood Hong Kong’s Grand Ballroom and featured captivating live performances from company dancers and inspiring live auctions. A 45th anniversary is known as the sapphire anniversary, and the theme was brought to life from the deep blue-hued decorations to the suggested sapphire elegance dress code.
This year, guests gathered to commemorate HKB’s 45 years of artistry, passion and dedication. The Ballet Ball has been a glittering highlight of the charity ball season since its inception in 1985. Funds raised by HKB patrons have enabled the company to significantly grow over the past 45 years and to create original repertoire and award-winning education programmes that ensure that ballet will be accessible to all for years to come. Nurturing new talent in Hong Kong is part of HKB’s mission, and this year funds raised from ‘Make a Pledge’ will give talented young dancers from low-income families opportunities for ballet training at Hong Kong Academy of Ballet. Additionally, these funds will support the development and wellness of HKB dancers, helping them achieve the high standards of artistic excellence that people have come to expect from us.
Over 250 prominent society figures and celebrities turned out for a night of fine dining and entertainment. Among them were Ms Daisy Ho, BBS, HKB Board of Governors Chairman and Co-Chair of The 2024 Hong Kong Ballet Ball; Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, HKB Board of Governors member and Ballet Ball CoChairs; Ms Linda Fung and Mrs Mira Yeh, HKB Board of Governors Vice Chairmen; HKB Board of Governors members Mrs Janice Chan-Choy, Ms Maya Lin, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, Ms Evonne Tsui; HKB Committee members Ms Lindzay Chan, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Leigh Tung Chou; Mr Septime Webre, HKB Artistic Director and Ms Heidi Lee, HKB Executive Director. Special guests included Ms Pansy Ho, Mrs Emily Lam Ho, Mrs Emelda Wong Trainor, Mrs Michelle Miller Erb, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong, Ms Beatrice Ho, Mrs Christy Liang, Ms Elly Lam, Mr Damian Lau Chung Yan, Mrs Candy Chuang Kotewall, Mrs Alison Chan El-Azar, Mrs Wendy Kwok, Ms Veronica Lam, Mrs Charlotte Tsuei-Robinson, Ms Wendy Law, Mr James Louey, Mrs Jane Louey, Mr Norman Ho, Mrs Yvette Ho, Mr
The elegant stage in the centre of the ballroom offered guests a stunning 360-degree view of the dynamic performances, LED screens enhanced the sophisticated ambiance, and interactive arts tech installations added fun and memorable elements. Guests were captivated by lively ballet performances throughout the evening, including ‘Sapphire Ballerina and Officer Pas de Deux’, excerpts from ALICE (in wonderland), and ‘Tutu Academy’ created in honour of the 45th Anniversary celebration.
Ballet Ball Co-Chair Ms Daisy Ho, BBS acknowledged the many hands that helped bring the evening to life, sharing, ‘45 years ago, a small group of passionate individuals came together with a vision to share the joy of ballet in Hong Kong and to make a difference in our community. This evening, at The 2024 Hong Kong Ballet Ball, we fondly look back on the remarkable milestones we have accomplished collectively. A special thanks to our Lead Sponsor Chopard whose sponsorship not only helps us to host this magnificent evening but also supports our ongoing efforts to bring world-class ballet to audiences. Thank you to my Co-chair Mrs Liana Yung Yeung and the Board members, especially Ms Maya Lin, for providing a lot of valuable advice for the previous balls. Your contributions are crucial to our continued success. Thank you to our table patrons and donors whose contributions have infused this evening with a sense of magic.’
Ballet Ball Co-Chair Mrs Liana Yung Yeung added, ‘Starting from our modest origins to the extensive global presence we enjoy today, every stage of this exciting journey has been powered by your unwavering support. We are also immensely grateful to our Champagne Partner Perrier-Jouët Champagne, our incredible media partners Tatler Hong Kong as our Luxury Lifestyle English Media Partner and Vogue Hong Kong as our Chinese Media Partner, and Christie’s, our Auction Partner. This evening’s festivities would not be possible without the generosity of our sponsors! Thank you for being here with us tonight and for believing in our mission.’
Lead Sponsor: Chopard
Champagne Partner: Perrier-Jouët Champagne
Luxury Lifestyle English Media Partner: Tatler Hong Kong
Chinese Media Partner: Vogue Hong Kong
Auction Partner: Christie’s
Emcee: Mr Peter Cheung
Download High Resolution Photos
For further information, please contact:
Jerry Qiu | Communications & Programme Manager | T: 2105 9753 / 6879 6734 | [email protected]
Ruth Chung | Assistant Marketing and PR Manager | T: 2105 9716 / 9741 7319 | [email protected]
About Hong Kong Ballet
Hong Kong Ballet (HKB) is recognised internationally as a world-class institution that represents Hong Kong's unique character. Since its inception in 1979, HKB has evolved into a vibrant performing arts organisation with a dynamic repertoire, forward-thinking community engagement initiatives and an emphasis on excellence.
Comprised of 50 dancers from all over the globe – Hong Kong, Mainland China and other parts of Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and North America, HKB has won recognition both regionally and internationally. With celebrated re-stagings of the classics, neoclassical masterworks by George Balanchine and others and original ballets created for HKB and about Hong Kong. Additionally, HKB performs works by some of today’s most sought-after choreographers, including Alexei Ratmansky, Christopher Wheeldon, Wayne McGregor, Justin Peck, Jiří Kylian, Nacho Duato and Annabelle Lopez Ochoa as well as innovative new works by its Choreographer-in-Residence, Hu Song-wei Ricky, and numerous emerging Hong Kong choreographers.
With almost 50 tours to 11 countries, HKB has recently toured throughout Europe, the US and Asia and places a special emphasis on representing Hong Kong in Mainland China and the West. HKB maintains the Hong Kong Academy of Ballet, a professionally-oriented ballet school, as well as a full schedule of award-winning community programmes and crossover collaborations throughout Hong Kong to ensure ballet is accessible to all. HKB has also produced engaging original videos and dance films that have collectively garnered over 10 million views online, connecting with ballet lovers worldwide.
