This February, the Consulate General of Monaco and the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York, in collaboration with the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, invite lovers of the arts to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Principality, with Monaco takes US, a series of glamorous events celebrating one of the world’s most enchanting destinations.
Centered on the 2012 US tour of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, under the Presidency of Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover and directed by Jean-Christophe Maillot, the celebrations will take place from February 2 through 12 in Costa Mesa, CA and from February 11 through March 31 in New York City to benefit Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA.
The acclaimed troupe was founded in 1985 by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover to fulfill a long-held wish (to form a national ballet company in Monaco) of her mother, the Academy Award® winning actress, Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco.
“With myriad cultural, sporting, and lifestyle experiences, the Principality of Monaco has attracted discerning visitors for centuries,” said the Honorable Maguy Maccario, Consul General and Director, North America, Monaco Government Tourist Office.
“Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo exemplifies the Principality’s rich artistic heritage and regal traditions, and we are delighted to invite residents from coast to coast to embark on a magical journey as Les Ballets celebrates a triumphant return to the USA with an exclusive West Coast engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and then onto New York City’s Joyce Theater in the 30th anniversary year of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA.”
The following events will take place throughout the February tour:
Costa Mesa, California
Under the direction of director-choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo will perform a mesmerizing modern rendition of Prokofiev’s Cinderella from Thursday, February 9 through Sunday, February 12, 2012 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA. Performances are scheduled at:
- Thursday, February 9 – 7:30 pm
- Friday, February 10 – 7:30 pm
- Saturday, February 11 – 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
- Sunday, February 12 – 2:00 pm
Individual tickets are now on sale at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts starting from $13.60 and may be purchased by phone at (714) 556-2787 or online at www.scfta.org.
Throughout the week a number of events will also be open to the public, including Monégasque-inspired treats at participating restaurants, luxury sweepstakes including a grand prize trip to Monaco at South Coast Plaza where an audio-visual and photographic display in their Jewel Court will feature unique items from Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, and an exhibition of Monaco’s artistic legacy. For more details, please visit www.monacotakesus.com.
Audiences can continue their Monégasque cultural journey with a number of exclusive events in the Costa Mesa area, including a Monaco-inspired dinner and a cast after-party on Saturday, February 11, as well as a farewell brunch on Sunday, February 12. The following packages are available for purchase:
- FAIRYTALE WEEKEND: Priced at $750 per person, this package includes a ticket (orchestra seating) to the Saturday evening performance, an invitation to the “Magic of the Arts” dinner and to the cast after-party and the farewell brunch plus an invitation to a VIP cocktail reception hosted by Montblanc and South Coast Plaza on Thursday, February 9. Also included (but reserved for the first 15 ticket purchasers) is a ticket to attend the ballet rehearsal on Friday, February 10.
- AT THE BALL: Priced at $500 per person, this package includes a ticket to the Saturday evening performance and invitation to the Magic of the Arts dinner and the cast after-party.
- GLASS SLIPPER SOIREE: Priced at $300 per person, this package includes a ticket to the Saturday evening performance and an invitation to the cast after-party.
Space is strictly limited. For more information or to purchase packages, please call 800 753 9696 or email info@visitmonaco.com.
New York, New York
From February 15 through February 19, 2012, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo will present two contemporary productions, Altro Canto I and Opus 40 at each performance from acclaimed director-choreographer Jean-Christophe Maillot at The Joyce Theater in New York City. The performance schedule follows:
- Wednesday, February 15 – 7:30 pm
- Thursday, February 16 – 8:00 pm
- Friday, February 17 – 8:00 pm
- Saturday, February 18 – 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
- Sunday, February 19 – 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Starting at $10, individual tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at The Joyce Theater box office at 175 Eighth Avenue (@ West 19th Street), New York City, by phone at 212-242-0800 or online at www.joyce.org.
Audiences can also experience true Monaco style by attending a number of public and private New York City events held under the High Patronage of Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover, including a free exhibition at the Forbes Galleries called A LEGACY OF GRACE. From February 11 through March 31, 2012, visitors can glimpse Princess Grace’s lasting cultural legacy from the ballet company created in her honor, to the ongoing support of emerging artistic talent through the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2012.
Featuring stunning photographs by photo-journalist Marie-Laure de Decker and Monaco-born art photographer Silas Shabelewska, original costumes from Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo’s wardrobe, Princess Grace video highlights as well as a collection of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA’s 30-year history, the exhibition will be open to the public on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is reserved for group tours on Thursdays. The Forbes Galleries are located at 62 Fifth Avenue at West 12th Street.
Related events available for purchase (in exclusive packages) include a VIP reception at one of Manhattan’s most breath-taking private townhouses with a chance to mingle with Les Ballets members on Tuesday, February 14 followed by the New York premiere of Altro Canto 1 and Opus 40, and the cast after-party (where guests can bid on luxury silent auction items) on Wednesday, February 15. Packages include:
- AVANT-GARDE EXPERIENCE: Priced at $450 per person, this package includes an invitation to the VIP cocktail reception, a ticket to Les Ballet’s premiere performance of Altro Canto I and Opus 40 on February 15 and the cast after-party. (The first 10 ticket purchasers can attend Les Ballet’s rehearsal on February 16 at The Joyce Theatre at a time to be advised).
- VISIONARY Experience: Priced at $250 per person, this package includes a ticket to the NYC premiere performance on February 15 and an invitation to the cast after-party.
Space is strictly limited. For more information on pricing or to purchase a package, please call 800 753 9696 or email info@visitmonaco.com.
The Consulate General of Monaco and Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York acknowledge and thank their partners and sponsors participating in the 2012 Monaco takes US events including Champagne Paul Goerg, Fairmont Monte Carlo, Forbes Media, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Hotel Plaza Athenee (New York), Le Club Diamant Rouge de Monaco, Mr. & Mrs. Juan Pablo Molyneux, Montblanc, Nespresso, Oceania Cruises, Roger Dubuis, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Silas Shabelewska Photography, South Coast Plaza, Swiss International Air Lines, The Wall Street Journal (as of January 10, 2011). Partners of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo: CFM (Crédit Foncier de Monaco) (Official Partner), Suissecourtage Assurances, Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, and Rolex.
Proceeds raised during Monaco takes US will benefit Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Princess Grace Foundation – USA. For more about Monaco takes US events and activities, visitwww.MonacoTakesUS.com; call 800 753 9696 or email info@visitmonaco.com.
Under the Presidency of H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover
Les Ballets De Monte-Carlo
Choreographer-Director Jean-Christophe Maillot
This distinguished company of 50 dancers consistently delights audiences with breathtaking performances on the world’s greatest stages, thus highlighting the Principality’s cultural and artistic virtues. Les Ballets became the official company of the Principality of Monaco in 1985, founded by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover in accordance with the wishes of her mother, Princess Grace of Monaco. Since 1993, under the direction of Jean-Christophe Maillot, the company has continued to delight international audiences with award-winning, awe-inspiring performances.www.balletsdemontecarlo.com
Princess Grace Foundation-USA The Princess Grace Foundation-USA was founded 30 years ago by Prince Rainier III of Monaco as a not-for-profit, publicly-supported organization, in honor of his wife Princess Grace [Kelly]. Headquartered in New York City, the Foundation carries on the legacy of Princess Grace by awarding scholarships, apprenticeships and fellowships to emerging artists in theater, dance and film. Since its inception, the Foundation has bestowed more than 700 Awards, totaling more than $8.5 million in grants.www.pgfusa.org
Consulate General of Monaco & Monaco Government Tourist Office
The only accredited Consulate General of Monaco in North America (www.Monaco-Consulate.com) provides consular services, cultural and general information. The Consulate also organizes exclusive promotional and philanthropic events and activities to benefit charitable endeavors, many of which are held under the patronage of the Princely Family, including the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation-USA. The Monaco Government Tourist Office (www.VisitMonaco.com/us) offers personalized tourism advice and information for individuals, group and business travel as well as access to Le Club Diamant Rouge for VIP travel membership within the Principality of Monaco.
