Media Contact:    Wendy Davis Johnson

      441 236 3319 or 441 505 4091

HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 1, 2006 - Local VIPs and a broad representation of the island's business community joined Oscar-winning actress and Bermuda resident Catherine Zeta-Jones and her husband Michael Douglas for a gala black tie evening on Saturday night that raised funds for DanceBermuda , the international summer dance institute offered by the National Dance Foundation of Bermuda in partnership with American Ballet Theatre.

His Excellency the Governor Sir John Vereker, Lady Vereker, Premier the Honourable Alex Scott and Mrs Scott, and US Consul General Gregory Slayton and Mrs Slayton were among the dignitaries who flocked to the Fairmont Southampton resort for a glittering evening of dinner, performances by soloists and corps members of ABT and dancing to the music of The Tom Ray Band.

Chairman of the National Dance Foundation, Don Kramer, hailed the evening as an unqualified success and said that students in Bermuda and overseas are clamoring to be a part of the summer intensive programme, which is gaining a reputation for excellence throughout North America .

"We've had calls from all over the US and Canada about our auditions next month and dancers throughout Bermuda are already pre-registered," said Mr. Kramer. "There are two young dancers in Fairbanks , Alaska who are holding bake sales to raise money to come to Bermuda for DanceBermuda . Everyone has heard what a success last year's programme was and are anxious to sign up for the auditions that will be held next month."

ABT's performance had something for everyone, from an elegant pas de deux from Coppélia performed by Erica Cornejo and Carlos Lopez to Fix Up, Look Sharp , a hip-hop, gyrating show-stopper inspired by music from the film RISE and danced by Kenneth Easter.

Miss Zeta-Jones, who is a member of the Dance Foundation's Board and who funds scholarships for students participating in DanceBermuda , told the audience how satisfying it was that last year's dream of offering world-class training in Bermuda has become a reality.

"There is nothing like dance for keeping you focused. When I was growing up, that was all I had. I lived to dance and I know first-hand what programmes like DanceBermuda mean to young people with a passion. I thank you for your support of me, and of the Dance Foundation, and of Bermuda 's dancers."

Ms Zeta-Jones introduced a two and a half minute trailer of An Extraordinary Three Weeks , the documentary that the Dance Foundation has entered in the Bermuda International Film Festival next month. The 40-minute film chronicles the establishment of DanceBermuda which was held for the first time last August and is now an annual intensive training programme. An Extraordinary Three Weeks will have its world premiere at the Bermuda International Film Festival on Sunday, March 19 at Southside Cinema.

 

EDITOR'S NOTE:

 

DanceBermuda is a three-week intensive training programme featuring faculty of American Ballet Theatre (ABT), one of the world's preeminent dance schools and companies. Local and international dance students audition for a place in the prestigious programme. The programme is based at Bermuda High School and uses four dance spaces - two in the Jessie Vesey Centre and two in the school itself.

Auditions for DanceBermuda 2006 will be held on Saturday, March 4 at Bermuda High School on Richmond Road . Pre-registration is required and inquiries should be made to Shari-Lynn Pringle at 441 236 3319 or by email to springle@dancebermuda.org.

The National Dance Foundation of Bermuda, a non-profit organization registered with the Bermuda Charities Commission and a company limited by guarantee, is dedicated to raising the standard of dance excellence in Bermuda by offering world-class training to the island's dancers, teachers and choreographers.