Northwest Florida Ballet presents Giselle at Grand Boulevard

The Northwest Florida Ballet takes the stage at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 14 at Sandestin’s Grand Park in Grand Boulevard to perform Giselle, one of the oldest continually performed ballets dating back to Paris in 1841. Giselle is a free, outdoor performance presented as part of Grand Boulevard’s Coastal Culture series, made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program.

Staged by NFB Ballet Mistress Dorothy Daniels Lister with choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot, Giselle tells the story of a peasant girl who dies of a broken heart after discovering Albrecht, her lover, is betrothed to another. The Wilis, a group of supernatural women who dance men to death, summon Giselle from her grave. They target her lover for death, but Giselle’s great love frees him from their grasp. Led by Myrtha, the Queen of the Wilis, they gain their power in numbers as they effortlessly move through dramatic patterns and synchronized movements controlling the stage with their long tulle dresses and stoic expressions. Giselle finds forgiveness in her heart for Albrecht, but she knows the Wilis will not do the same.

Natalia Ashikhmina, current principal with the Louisville Ballet and former Russian National Ballet prima ballerina, will dance the role of Giselle. Albrecht will be danced by Darren McIntyre formerly with The Australian Ballet.

Visit NFB online at nfballet.org or on Facebook for more information. 

Grand Boulevard’s Coastal Culture program presents an exciting variety of entertainment and events this season. Live performances by Northwest Florida Ballet and Emerald Coast Theatre Company highlight the Town Center offerings for fall. Also coming up: Best of the Emerald Coast party Oct  21, Dog Harmony's Barktoberfest Oct 26, Halloween on the Boolevard Oct 31, Festival of Trees and Town Center Holiday Open House Nov 21, and Grand Boulevard Farmers Market on Saturdays year round (9am-1pm). 

Some of SoWal's biggest cultural events coming to Grand Boulevard: 30A Songwriters Festival, ArtsQuest Fine Arts Festival, Best of the Emerald Coast, Northwest Florida Ballet, Festival of Trees, and Emerald Coast Theater Company performances. These events are presented as part of the Coastal Culture Series made possible by the Grand Boulevard Arts & Entertainment Program.  

Grand Boulevard is located near the entrance to Sandestin. The lifestyle center features exclusive shops, fine dining, lush green space, and contemporary accommodations. For a list of shops, restaurants, movie show times and events, please visit www.grandboulevard.com. Stay up to date on the latest on Facebook.