Havasu Ballet students performing a dance routine at White Gala Fundraiser at Lake Havasu Association Realtors Convention Center. Photo courtesy of Amber Kennedy
LAKE HAVASU CITY – It was a memorable night for the Lake Havasu dance community at Ballet Havasu’s Black and White Gala Ballet Fundraiser. The Black and White Gala Ballet Fundraiser took place on Saturday, May 11 with a pre-ballet fun fair from at the Ballet Havasu school. Two hours later, the fundraising gala began from at Lake Havasu Association Realtors Convention Center.
Artistic director and choreographer of the school Nathan Cottam accepted this role in 2022 and has since been bringing beautiful ballet productions to Lake Havasu.
The nonprofit dance school has previously enchanted our audiences with performances like last year’s Swan Lake, Nutcracker and the double bill performance show of Noah’s Ark and Giselle Act II just this past April.
Their fun fair was a free event that celebrated dance with class demonstrations, games, arts, and crafts. It was the perfect opportunity for parents to bring their aspiring ballerinas out and learn about how to enroll and participate in classes and future shows.
The Black and White was an elegantly artistic evening where attendees were encouraged to wear black and white. Music was provided by local singer and guitarist Cameron Marin who sang well known songs from musicians like Billy Joel and Elton John.
A delicious buffet style dinner was served by the local Italian food restaurant La Via Dolce. This was a well-attended fundraiser in a space filled with Havasu nonprofit leaders like Clothes Closet’s Christine Watson, and President of Lake Havasu Museum of History Melanie Preston.
Other well-known guests in attendance were local musician Kevin Jaxon, and Council Member Michelle Lin showed up to show her support. as well. A silent auction took place, along with raffle drawings, and a dance performance by the students of Ballet Havasu.
Admission fees and raffle ticket purchases of the fundraiser went towards student scholarships and the school’s performance excellence activities. The successful black and white gala raised over $12,000.
Ballet Havasu will have many exciting opportunities this summer for beginner ballerinas as well as intermediate, and advanced dance camps and workshops.
They also provide a free trial class, so that parents can decide if Ballet Havasu is the right fit for their dancers.
Phaedra Veronique
