Take a ballet class with Mao’s Last Dancer Li Cunxin

ONE of the world’s finest ballet performers is offering his tutelage to aspiring Brisbane dancers for free.

IF YOU have ever wanted to take a ballet class but needed some encouragement, whip out those pointe shoes right now.

One of the world’s finest ballet performers, whose remarkable life inspired the film Mao’s Last Dancer, Li Cunxin, is offering his tutelage to would-be Brisbane dancers for free.

Cunxin, who is Queensland Ballet’s artistic director, is holding a dance class for 250 seniors this month.

Li Cunxin hopes his class inspires men and women to take up ballet at any age. PICTURE: Mark Cranitch.

Cunxin, said he hoped the class on August 26 at Brisbane City Hall would inspire men and women to take up ballet at any age.

“This large-scale ballet class, during Queensland Seniors Week, provides just a taste of what ballet can do to help improve the health and wellbeing of active older adults,” Cunxin said.

“I see it as a privilege to be teaching this class and I hope I can share my love of ballet with the participants and perhaps inspire a desire to see ballet as an option as an older person, even if you’ve never stepped foot inside a ballet studio.”

Queensland Ballet has partnered with the Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors and COTA to hold the event to celebrate Seniors Week which runs from August 18 to 26.

There will be morning tea and a meet and greet with Cuxin after the class.

To share the magic, there will also be 50 free places for children aged 12 months to five years to join in with a Tiny Dancers class from 10.30am to 11am, also at Brisbane City Hall.

Queensland Ballet artistic director Li Cunxin and Mia Heathcote in The Nutcracker. PICTURE: David Kelly.

A Queensland Ballet spokesperson said both classes were almost a capacity but there were still tickets available.

“There aren’t age restriction on the seniors class, it’s for anyone who identifies as an older person to come and enjoy,” the spokesperson said.

The seniors class will be held at the Ithaca Auditorium in City Hall from 8.30am to 10am with morning tea from 10am to 10.30am.

For information and bookings, queenslandballet.com.au/seniorsweek or Queensland Ballet on [phone].

For information on Queensland Seniors Week events, qldseniorsweek.org.au