The XXVI International Ballet Festival of Miami presents their classical gala performances at the Fillmore Miami Beach Jackie Gleason Theater, Saturday Aug. 14th at 8pm and Sunday, August 15 at 5pm featuring companies from around the US and Europe: Washington Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Miami City Ballet, Pennsylvania / Philadelphia Ballet, Milwaukee Ballet, Cuban Classical Ballet of Miami, Arts Ballet Theater Florida, Birmingham Ballet (Eng.) Magdeburg Ballet (Germany) and Dimensions Dance Theater of Miami.
At the Saturday evening performance the IBFM will honor Miami City Ballet Artistic Director and ex New York City Ballet Principal ballerina Lourdes Lopez with the Lifetime Achievement Award "A Life For Dance" and present famous Balanchine pas de deux by Miami City Ballet dancers.