Delta Festival Ballet
As everyone in the U.S, and undoubtedly the world knows by now, hurricane Katrina, which struck on August 29, 2005 has caused billions of dollars in damages to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast. It is the worst natural disaster in our country's history. No one or anything was spared, including businesses, companies, schools, institutions, and cultural organizations. This is true of Delta Festival Ballet, the oldest ballet company in the Metropolitan New Orleans community. Performances originally began in 1967 as the Giacobbe Ballet Ensemble, and evolved into a community company, Delta Festival Ballet, in 1969. The company achieved professional status in 1981 and is now recognized throughout the State of Louisiana for continued excellence and fiscal responsibility. It has earned a reputation in Louisiana's rich cultural landscape as one of its important performing arts organizations.
The national and international response to the Katrina tragedy has been unprecedented, and a grateful New Orleans is appreciative of the generosity of spirit and the donations and financial aid that the area has received. Delta Festival Ballet also sustained considerable financial losses that were not covered by insurance. The losses suffered by the company include over $60,000 in damages to the "Nutcracker" scenery, properties, and some wardrobe that were under 2 feet of floodwaters.
Other losses were to equipment, storage racks, piano, tools, wardrobe and building materials, boutique items, revenue generating fund raisers, grants, and income lost to the season's cancelled "Nutcracker" tour. These losses are now assessed to be over $175,000.00. The most pressing issue for the company now is restoring or replacing the "Nutcracker" scenery that was designed by Tony award winning designer,
Robert O'Hearn.
The company is requesting donations to the company to help it begin the long road to recovery so it can continue to be a viable presence in New Orleans. It is anxious to once again present vibrant dance performances to a community now much in need of the comfort offered by every art form. All major performing venues in the City will be closed for at least a year. However, the com-pany has a planned "Comeback Concert" for April 25 & 26, 2006 at Loyola University in New Orleans. Delta Festival Ballet is a 501 (c)(3) status, not-for-profit, tax exempt organization, incorporated by the State of Louisiana; all contributions are tax-deductible to the full extend allowed by law.
Contributions should be made to Delta Festival Ballet Katrina Fund and sent to: Delta Festival Ballet, Post Office Box 7425, Metairie, LA 70002. Any help will be appreciated.
For more information about Delta Festival Ballet, contact Joseph Giacobbe, Co-Founder and Artistic Director, Post Office Box 7425 Metairie, LA. 70002; Phone and fax (504) 456-1307; deltafestballet@aol.com.