The famed Hong Kong Ballet Ball returned to the city on October 13 at the Grand Ballroom of the Rosewood Hong Kong
The ball’s theme this year was The Black and White Ball: Where Light and Shadows, drawing inspiration from Swan Lake and the triumph of light over darkness. The event also paid homage to the Black and White Ball, the famed 1966 masquerade ball hosted by Truman Capote at the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Led by Hong Kong Ballet’s chairman Daisy Ho and board of governors Maya Lin and Janice Chan-Choy, the black-tie affair played host to high-profile individuals this year, including Jane and James Louey, Ming Ho and Sherman Tang, Patricia Tung-Gaw and Alison Chan El-Azar, who sat at tables named after iconic characters and ballet productions, including Odette and Odile from Swan Lake and Sugar Plum Fairies from The Nutcracker.
Dazzling performances by Hong Kong Ballet’s dancers, choreographed by Ricky Hu, under the leadership of the organisation’s artistic director Septime Webre and featuring Leslie Cheung’s 1984 hit Monica and 2001 release I Am What I Am, at the cocktail reception and during dinner, captivated the audience and had them cheering on with excitement. The dancers showed off their artistry with a repertoire that seamlessly blended classical ballet with contemporary choreography.
Beyond its splendour and entertainment, the ball held a deeper purpose. As the flagship event of the Hong Kong Ballet, it supports the Hong Kong Ballet’s artistic and educational initiatives. “Standing on the cusp of our 44th year and looking forward to our 45th anniversary next year, I reflect on our remarkable evolution. We’ve transformed from a small and humble ballet school to an internationally renowned ballet company. Our artistic excellence has soared, and the overall quality of our performances has reached unparalleled heights,” said Ho on stage. “Tonight’s event has been five years in the making, so let’s not just raise funds—let’s raise hopes, dreams, and Hong Kong's cultural spirit.”
