May 25, 2016

Ballet Arizona’s and Desert Botanical Garden’s Circles Celebrate Opening Night of ‘Round’

Circles members; Connie Binns and Barbara Ottosen

On May 17, members of Ballet Arizona’s Prima Circle and Desert Botanical Garden’s Patrons Circle celebrated the much-anticipated opening night performance of Round.

This world premiere production choreographed by Ballet Arizona’s Artistic Director Ib Andersen is set completely in-the-round on a 360-degree stage at the Desert Botanical Garden event plaza.

More than 250 members of Ballet Arizona and Desert Botanical Garden came together for the grand finale of the 2015-2016 season. The evening’s co-chairs were Connie Binns and Barbara Ottosen. Guests enjoyed an alfresco dinner and cocktail party and heard from Ken Schutz, executive director of the Garden, as he praised the importance of collaboration between Valley arts and cultural organizations. “Together we can achieve unique and wonderful experiences for members in our community, and this production is the truest form of that collaboration,” Shutz said.

Andersen shared behind-the-scenes insights into the artistic process for choreographing a world premiere and gratitude for the Ballet’s return to the Garden.

Following dinner, attendees moved on to the opening performance of Round.

This donor appreciation event was the culmination of the work these two arts and cultural institutions achieved during the season, from the Bruce Munro: Sonoran Light exhibit to Round. It was a special way for the organizations to thank the individuals who made it all possible.

HAUTE EVENT PHOTOGRAPHY