GAY VIENNA and the LIFE BALL May 16th
The four Elements of Life Ball: 2009 – Let Love flow!
The 17th Life Ball on 16th May 2009 is the start of a four-year cycle: the elements water, earth, air and fire metaphorically stand for the central symbols of life in their artistic implementation.
In the previous years each Life Ball presented itself thematically very different. This year though the team surrounding Gery Keszler decided to develop a concept valid for the next four years – starting with the 17th Life Ball an 16th May 2009 and concluding with the 20th edition, the jubilee ball in 2012. In the centre of the artistic implementation are the elements water, earth, air and fire. Powerful archaic symbols but still enormously progressive in their value.
It is still these four elements that feed the world, back the ecological balance, take a vital role for health and serve the economic development – for a start simply make life possible. Water – the element of 2009 – is the start of all life and the evolution. The Earth feeds us. Air lets us breath and carries us over the continents. And the discovery of fire even was the start of civilisation.
The element water marks the start of this cycle on 16th May 2009 – as a central symbol of life. Clean water is the base for all human existence. It regulates the circle of nature is the central need of economical progressing. The scarcity of water brings hunger, illness and misery. Especially in countries most affected by HIV/AIDS, in countries where the Life Ball acts within international projects, severe scarcity of water prevails.
However when water is available in abundance it can even bring deserts to life. The Life Ball 2009 especially focuses its attention to this distinctive allegory of extremes in our world.
Musically as well as theatrically the Life Ball theme 2009 is largely along the line of the baroque, which in its inconsistency picked up the visual language of the mythological history of the ancient world and converted it in a new way.
But in its staging it is obliged to the here and now. The audience can expect a vast number of opulent surprises – a grand part of the opening ceremony production of the coming Life Ball will happen on, by and in water. This way the show in front of Vienna’s City Hall strongly emphasises the elemental force of water and its central value for life itself.
Life Ball is Europe’s largest and most spectacular annual charity event dedicated to raising support for the worldwide fight against HIV and AIDS. Celebrating the beauty of life and the diversity of world cultures, Life Ball reinvents the great Viennese Ball tradition with glamorous, outlandish performances and inspirational speeches. It attracts huge interest in the media and is broadcast live on Austrian National TV prime time, with delayed airing in Germany.
Since 1993, world famous personalities and artists have lent their voices and support to Life Ball, giving their time and effort to make the charitable event successful every year. With their appearances, personal impulses and involvement, Sharon Stone, Sir Elton John, Kylie Minogue, Catherine Deneuve, Liza Minnelli, Kim Cattrall, Linda Evangelista, Heidi Klum, Dennis Rodman, Naomi Campbell and Randy Crawford and many more have inspired courage and promoted the joyful aspects of life and given a clear sign against discrimination and ignorance.
For more on GAY VIENNA visit our other story!
SIDENOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVELERS –
For the first time in history, Life Ball, the most glamorous and over-the-top AIDS/HIV benefit in the world, is offering a very small number of tickets to International travelers, and they’ve selected Steele Luxury Travel as the exclusive tour operator for the US and Canada. Steele Luxury Travel has put together an all inclusive, affordable travel package for those hoping to experience the glamour and spectacle that is Life Ball. Life Ball has also authorized Steele to book seats on the Life Ball “Party Plane”, which carries all US celebrities and VIP’s to Vienna in true style… The entire jet, sponsored by Red Bull, is configured to allow additional space and all business-class service. The party begins at the Austrian Airlines lounge in JFK, and continues throughout the weekend.
The best way to grasp the scale of this extravaganza is to see it:
http://tinyurl.com/cq68wm AND http://tinyurl.com/ck4bp2
Steele travelers will receive full VIP treatment from the moment they depart JFK… They’ll walk the paparazzi filled red-carpet when they arrive in Vienna (with celebs and VIP’s) where they’ll be whisked away to their deluxe accommodations at Vienna’s Ring Hotel They’ll stay the weekend and attend the most buzzed about soirees and special events. They’ll mix and mingle with the stars and enjoy the opening ceremonies and fashion show !
