Jane Winkworth

Gorgeous Grecian Gala April 17th 2012

I was invited by the English National Ballet to a spectacular night at The Dorchester Hotel on March 12th to watch performances to raise money for this wonderful Ballet Company.

Very sadly I was unable to attend either this incredible evening or the sensational night at The Colliseum to celebrate the Russian Icons as I was just starting my two months residency at my home in Portugal. However, I decided to treat my six favourite French Sole employees and their partners to a table at The Dorchester for this sparkling “All Gold” Grecian Gala night of fine dining and ballet! I am so lucky at French Sole that over the past twenty four years I have had and still have the most wonderful, loyal, dedicated, discreet, charming and adorable girls and also a few boys, working for me and some come back after a break to have their families, some leave to start families and many just stay on and on forever!

Almost without exception I love them all, some much more than others and my favourites are my, “London” girls. They are all so beautifully dressed, kind, generous, intelligent, stylish, educated, well mannered, attractive and thoroughly delightful young women who all adore working at French Sole and represent the brand so brilliantly. And, so my “thank you” to these great team players, who all feel like family to me, was a night on the town - with love from me!

Apparently, the Gala was a huge success, with almost 100k raised for the company. Guests arrived at 7pm for Champagne, followed by dinner created by The Dorchester, interspersed with performances from English National Ballet’s Emerging Dancer nominees, and the Emerging Dancer winner Yonah Acosta.  As well as star dancers Vadim Muntagirov and Erina Takahashi, plus a preview of the new Firebird danced by Ksenia Ovsyanick, with added entertainment from The Other Guys. The evening was hosted by Natasha Kaplinsky and Artistic Director Wayne Eagling.

The Audience were spell bound by the ballet performance. Emerging Dancer nominee, Nancy Osbaldeston’s sassy Sway was particularly popular, setting the room a light! James Streeter’s piece he created for Tate Britain (although re-choreographed for two due to Esteban’s last minute injury) received high praise.  Yonah Acosta dazzled in Diana & Acteon, practically leaping from the stage into the audience.

A capella group ‘The Other Guys’ from St Andrew’s University and famous for the song they performed about William and Kate, performed this at the Gala evening to a cheering crowd!  Lord Poltimore hosted the live auction with items including a walk on role in The Sleeping Beauty and a private English National Ballet performance. Silent auction items included a magical Moroccan escape and a weekend by Lake Geneva.

As usual, The English National Ballet has hosted another stunning, glittering evening and, with the help of a few special and dedicated friends, has managed yet again to raise a staggering amount of money for this extraordinary company.

Categories: Ballet, My Week, Work

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Charities Jane supports:

The Royal ballet school English National Ballet Starlight ACCA The Royal Marsden Havens Hospice