The Nutcracker
Christmas Benefit 2015:
The Annual Festive Fundraising Event to support Hong Kong Ballet
[Hong Kong – 6th December 2015] For the seventh year running, The Hong Kong Ballet Guild’s annual fundraising event, The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2015, was held successfully at the Island Ballroom of Island Shangri-La Hotel on Sunday 6th December, 2015. As always, the event was a wonderful occasion that provided families with a joyous festive gathering filled with entertainment, a delicious meal and the opportunity for the whole family to experience classical ballet. On the day, a host of young children embraced the opportunity to participate in a live ballet performance and to experience first hand what it takes to be a part of a production.
Over 360 guests gathered together at this year’s festive celebration. Guests included: Co-Chairs of The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2015: Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung; Mrs Daisy Ho, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet; Mrs Mira Yeh, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet; Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet: Mrs Janice Chan-Choy, Mrs Sharie Ross Tse, Mrs Daphne King Yao; Mr & Mrs Martin and Cathy Lee; Mr & Mrs James and Jane Louey; Mrs Deidre Fu-Tcheng; Ms Maya Lin; Mr & Mrs Frantz and Valerie Hotton; Mr & Mrs Weber and Brenda Lo; Ms Cissy Wang; Mrs Melissa Ng Wang; Mrs Michelle Leung; Ms Johanna Ho; Ms Anina Ho; Ms Veronica Lam; Mr & Mrs Kent and Emily Ho and many more.
Hong Kong Ballet recognises that its wonderful, committed dancers are its no. 1 asset. For that reason, part of the proceeds raised at the Benefit this year will contribute directly to the Company’s Dancers’ Sponsorship Fund for the dancers to receive regular physiotherapy sessions, new pointe shoes and artistic exchanges to further their education, experience and training.
In an effort to raise such funds, the Benefit featured both a silent and a live auction. For the latter, Hong Kong Ballet worked with Mattel for the first time to create an exclusive one of a kind Barbie and Ken featuring as the Ballerina and the Nutcracker. Inspired by the “Reunion Scene” from The Nutcracker in which the Nutcracker and Ballerina are reunited at the top of the snowy tree, sparkling Swarovski crystals complete Barbie’s exquisite glittering snowflake tutu. Completing this auction item were four VIP zone tickets to the Opening Night performance of The Nutcracker, inclusive of an invite to the Pre-Performance and Intermission Cocktail Receptions only available for our VIP guests.
Another wonderful contribution by Mattel was a Ballerina Barbie, also inspired by The Nutcracker, and produced especially for the event. 230 of these Ballerina Barbies featured as donation to Dancers’ Sponsorship Fund.
The highlight of the event was the children’s performance featuring 46 committee members’ children. Their costumes were brand new mini-versions of those from The Nutcracker. Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, one of The Hong Kong Ballet Guild founders, was the Creative Director working along with four choreographers who were working together to create the performance: Hong Kong Ballet former dancer Ms Linda Fung, Corps de Ballet member Ms Natalie Ogonek, Senior Ballet Master Mr Liang Jing, and Education & Community Outreach Manager Ms Vency Kwok.
At the event, the Co-Chairs of the Organising Committee – Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, and Mrs Liana Yung Yeung – relayed important messages that are close to their hearts and to that of the Guild. Mrs Leigh Tung Chou expressed her gratitude to all of the sponsors who made this event possible, “My sincere thanks go to Platinum Sponsors: Lancôme and Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts; Gold Sponsors: Dance Union @ Sunny Wong, Perrier-Jouët, Repetto, Suavis Lash Bar, Victoria Wine Cellar Limited and Mr Wilson Wong.”
Mrs Anne Wang Liu then emphasised how “The Guild has always been passionate about getting children involved in ballet, and igniting a life-long love of the arts. We have always maintained that today’s children are tomorrow’s audience, and The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit provides a wonderful opportunity for children to fall in love with classical ballet.”
New Co-Chair of the event this year Mrs Liana Yung Yeung added, “I feel honoured and thrilled to be a part of The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2015 and to work with Hong Kong Ballet for the first time. I practiced ballet as a child and now my daughter is involved in the world of ballet. I am so happy that she can be a part of this event – one that is both a fun-filled occasion for children and families, and a wonderful opportunity to raise funds for the much loved tradition of classical ballet.”
The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2015
Platinum Sponsors:
Lancôme
Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts
Gold Sponsors
Dance Union @ Sunny Wong
Perrier-Jouët Champagne
Repetto
Suavis Lash Bar
Victoria Wine Cellar Limited and Mr Wilson Wong
Silver Sponsors
Alisan Fine Arts and Mr Stephen King
Amaranthine Blooms
COMME MAMAN COLLECTION
MATTEL EAST ASIA LTD.
The Peninsula Hotels
PETIT BAZAAR
Punch Detox
Bronze Sponsors
Bulgari Asia Pacific Limited
Kids’ Gallery
MAGGIE & ROSIE LTD.
ROGER LEE PRODUCTION LTD.
Salvatore Ferragamo
Science Workshop
Keyart Adaption
GAFENCU
Media Partner
Hong Kong Tatler
MC and Auctioneer
Ms Esther Ma
Event PR
Prestique Limited
Co-Chairs of The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2015
Mrs Leigh Tung Chou ‧ Mrs Anne Wang Liu ‧ Mrs Liana Yung Yeung
Organising Committee
Mrs Ada Wang Cheng, Mrs Vanessa Wong Choi, Mrs Malti Dialdas, Mrs Christina Gaw Donohugh, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong, Mrs Mary Tong Ho, Mrs Samantha Wong Hon, Mrs Michele Lai, Mrs Cathy Lee, Mrs Jennifer Lee, Mrs Peggy Lee, Mrs Jane Louey, Mrs Davina Sin Luk, Ms Esther Ma, Mrs Audry Ai Morrow, Mrs Vikki Tsang Ong, Mrs Ruri Pao, Mrs Tyhoa Kobler Sitabkhan, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, Mrs Rina Kar Tham, Mrs Sharie Ross Tse, Mrs Tamara Varga, Mrs Heidi Yang Ven, Mrs Wendy Chiang Wai, Mrs Melissa Ng Wong, Ms Edna Wong, Mrs Katherine Koo Wong, Mrs Vicky Wong, Mrs Ada Tse Yang, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Daphne King Yao and Mrs Jean Ma Yeung
DOWNLOAD PRESS PHOTOS
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Photo 1 (from left): Co-Chairs of The Nutcracker Christmas Benefit 2015: Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung
Photo 2 (from left): Ms Madeleine Onne, Artistic Director of Hong Kong Ballet; Ms Daisy Ho, Chairman of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet; Mr Paul Tam, Executive Director of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 3 (from left): Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng; Ms Madeleine Onne; Mr Paul Tam; Mrs Daphne King Yao, Member of the Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet; Mrs Leigh Tung Chou; Ms Daisy Ho; Mrs Anne Wang Liu; Mrs Liana Yung Yeung; Mrs Janice Chan-Choy, Member of the Board of Governors
Photo 4 (from top left): Mrs Davina Sin Luk, Mrs Samantha Wong Hon, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong, Mrs Mary Tong Ho, Mrs Vicky Wong, Mrs Jennifer Lee, Mrs Heidi Yang Ven, Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Mrs Mira Yeh, Ms Daisy Ho, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Mrs Rina Kar Tham, Mrs Wendy Chiang Wai, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Tyhoa Kobler Sitabkhan, Mrs Daphne King Yao, Mrs Ada Tse Yang, Mrs Jane Louey, Mrs Ada Wang Cheng, Mrs Vikki Tsang Ong, Mrs Tamara Varga; (from bottom left): Ms Esther Ma, Mrs Michele Lai, Mrs Malti Dialdas, Ms Edna Wong, Mrs Brenda Lo, Mrs Katherine Koo Wong, Mrs Jean Ma Yeung, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, Mrs Sharie Ross Tse, Mrs Audry Ai Morrow, Mrs Melissa Ng Wong, Mrs Ruri Pao
Photo 5 (from top left): Mrs Davina Sin Luk, Mrs Michele Lai, Mrs Connie Wei Yang, Mrs Lillian Lee Fong, Mrs Rina Kar Tham, Ms Edna Wong, Mrs Ada Tse Yang, Mrs Daphne King Yao, Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Mrs Anne Wang Liu, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng, Mrs Malti Dialdas, Mrs Wendy Chiang Wai, Mrs Vikki Tsang Ong, Mrs Ruri Pao; (from bottom left): Mrs Katherine Koo Wong, Mrs Jean Ma Yeung, Ms Esther Ma, Mrs Heidi Yang Ven, Mrs Samantha Wong Hon
Photo 6: Mrs Melissa Ng Wang
Photo 7: Mr James Louey, Mrs Jane Louey
Photo 8 (from left): Mrs Daphne King Yao, Ms Esther Ma, Mrs Janice Chan-Choy
Photo 9: Ms Johanna Ho
Photo 10 (from left): Ms Daisy Ho, Mrs Emily Lam Ho, Mr Kent Ho
Photo 11 (from left): Ms Jasmin Ngai; Ms Asami Ferguson; Mrs Mira Yeh, Vice-Chairman of Board of Governors of Hong Kong Ballet
Photo 12 (from left): Mr CC Tung, Ms Pamela Tung, Mrs Harriet Tung, Mrs Leigh Tung Chou, Mr Stanley Chou
Photo 13: Mr Julian Liu, Mrs Anne Wang Liu
Photo 14: Mr Derek Yeung, Mrs Liana Yung Yeung
Photo 15 (from left): Mrs Malti Dialdas, Mrs Jeannine Curran, Mrs Jennifer Zhu Scott, Mr Peter Cheung, Mrs Sharie Ross Tse, Mr Francisco Anton-Serrano
Photo 16: Mr Frantz Hotton, Managing Director of Pernod Ricard Hong Kong & Macau; Mrs Valerie Hotton
Photo 17: Mrs Michelle Leung (middle) and friends
Photo 18: Ms Veronica Lam
Photo 19 (from left): Ms Linda Fung, Mrs Deirdre Fu Tcheng; Ms Daisy Ho; Mrs Mira Yeh; Mr Paul Tam; Ms Jin Yao and Wei Wei, Principal Dancers of Hong Kong Ballet; Mr Yuh Egami, Corps de Ballet member of Hong Kong Ballet; Ms Vency Kwok, Education & Community Outreach Manager of Hong Kong Ballet, Ms Madeleine Onne
About The Hong Kong Ballet Guild
The Hong Kong Ballet Guild was established in April 2008 by a group of Hong Kong’s most avid ballet enthusiasts. The objectives of the Guildof are to promote Hong Kong Ballet, raise its public profile, and preserve its heritage. By increasing awareness of and support for ballet among diverse sectors society through extensive community engagement programmes, the Guild strives to achieve its dual objects of developing a wider audience for Hong Kong Ballet, and fostering a society that appreciates this art form, thus enabling Hong Kong to flourish as a global cultural hub.
About Hong Kong Ballet
An eclectic mix of talent, a balance of classical and contemporary works, and a unique repertoire are the trademarks of Hong Kong Ballet, Asia’s premier ballet company. Internationally recognised and acclaimed for its creativity, talent and artistry, the Company, led by Artistic Director Madeleine Onne, is committed to providing captivating experiences that delight and inspire audiences from all walks of life, both at home and abroad.
For further information, please contact:
Nick Chan
Director of Marketing
T: 2105 9716
M: 9728 1777
[email protected]
