The First Arab-Russian Gala
6 November 2008, Mina A’Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai

Visit www.arabrussiangala.com for more information
The First Arab-Russian Gala, presented by the Russian-Arab Business Council and Ensemble Productions in cooperation with the Centre of Social Communications, took place with huge success at Mina A’Salam, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai on Thursday 6 November 2008. The evening offered a perfect opportunity for Russians and Emiratis from the spheres of business, politics and culture to come together to celebrate the growing links between these two peoples, whilst experiencing the fruits of their rich cultural heritages in what was the first event of its kind.

The Gala supported the charitable organisations the Rashid Paediatric Therapy Centre, Welfare Association and the construction of the first Russian Orthodox church in the UAE parish of Saint Philip.

The programme commenced with a welcome reception followed by a concert by the Moscow Soloists chamber orchestra conducted by the world-famous Yuri Bashmet. Speeches followed before guests enjoyed a lavish dinner whilst listening to a dazzling line-up of Russian and Arab performers presented by the famed compères Khalid Majzoub and Victoria Lopyrova, a former Miss Russia. Acts included the thrilling Russian National Dance Show, a pas de deux from Scheherazade by Bolshoi Theatre ballet soloists Irma Nioradze and Nikolai Tsiskaridze, the Arab pop superstar Nancy Ajram, the energetic Nadezhda Babkina and her Russian Song ensemble who led guests as they danced around the hall, a charitable auction and for the evening’s finale Russia’s prince of pop Dima Bilan, winner of Eurovision 2008.

Guests included members of the Dubai and Sharjah royal families, Russian and Emirati Government representatives, Dubai’s business elite, Russian business people and celebrities who came to Dubai especially for the occasion. The event attracted a strong media response with coverage appearing in the press, lifestyle and business magazines, online and on the TV channels Russia Today, Dubai TV and MBC.

The evening’s main sponsor was the UAE-based construction company Arabtec. Other sponsors included Al Habtoor Properties, Modo Milano, Omniyat Properties, Al Gargash Enterprises, Sistema, Orianda and Moussaieff. Media sponsors included Canvas, Hello! Russia, Russian Emirates Advertising, Business FM, SMagazine.ru, Russia Today and Mainpeople.ru.

   
 
 

The 2nd Cyprus-Russia Gala

14 September 2008, The Presidential Palace, Nicosia, Cyprus
Following in the footsteps of 2007's immensely successful Gala the 2nd Cyprus-Russia Gala again took place at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia. It showcased the best of Cypriot and Russian musical talent whilst celebrating the two nations’ ever closer growing relationship in the fields of culture, business, politics and people-to-people relations.

The evening commenced with a concert by the world renowned chamber orchestra the Moscow Soloists under the direction of its celebrated director, conductor and violist Yuri Bashmet with the leading Cypriot soloists Marios Papadopoulos (piano) and Zoe Nicolaidou (soprano). It was followed by a dinner with more spectacular entertainment from the Igor Butman Jazz Quartet headed by US President Bill Clinton’s ‘favourite living saxophone player’, the veritable patriarchs of Russian rock Mashina Vremeni, the exhilarating song and dance of Nadezhda Babkina’s Russian Song folk ensemble and the queen of Greek pop music Alkistis Protopsalti.

The Gala's presenters were the leading Cypriot-Greek actor and television presenter Achilleas Grammatikopoulos, and the popular Russian television presenter and former Miss Universe, Oxana Fedorova.

The evening supported the leading Cypriot charity Radiomarathon which provides support to children with special needs as well as their families.

This event was made possible by ICFI (Cyprus) Ltd.

With support from the Ministry of Education and Culture Cultural Services, Cyprus Airways, Telia & Pavla BBDO, Hilton Cyprus, Keo and Coca-Cola.

   
 
 
Launch of the multimedia project SNOB, non-mass media
28 June 2008, Victoria & Albert Museum, London
An extravagant launch of the multimedia project SNOB non-mass-media, in one of London's most spectacular venues, with an electrifying performance by Russian rock-legend Zemfira. Guests were shown with a presentation of the SNOB project whilst enjoying drinks and canapés.

   
 
 
Mega Stars Nite 2008
24 May 2008, Hammersmith Apollo, London
A concert combining Pakistani pop, R&B, soul, hip hop and bhangra. Featuring the Pakistani pop superstar Ali Zafar as well as top UK-based artists Sukshinder Shinda, Hard Kaur, Jay Sean and Imran Khan. Presented by Faisal Shaukat of ISP Events.

Ensemble Productions provided administrative support to ISP Events the organiser of Mega Stars Nite 2008.

   
 
 
Flight - A Ballet Gala in memory of the renowned dancer Maris Liepa
24 February 2008, London Coliseum
This Ballet Gala commemorated the life and outstanding achievements of the late Maris Liepa. For many years Liepa was the king of the Bolshoi Ballet; his legendary performances of Le Corsaire, Swan Lake, La Bayadère and Spartacus were particularly celebrated. The evening’s tribute took place with participation of the principals of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres, The Royal Ballet and Paris’ Grand Opéra performing many of his greatest roles. Principals included: Maria Alexandrova, Federico Bonelli, Alina Cojacaru, Vladimir Derevianko, Sergei Filin, Dmitriy Gudanov, Johan Kobborg, Sarah Lamb, Agnès Letestu, Ilze Liepa, David Makhateli, José Martinez, Marianela Nuñez, Natalia Osipova, Mark Peretokin, Sergei Polunin, Tamaro Rojo, Leonid Sarafanov, Thiago Soares, Ivan Vasiliev and Svetlana Zakharova. This took place under the artistic direction of Maris’ son Andris Liepa and was accompanied by the orchestra of the English National Ballet.

Following the performance there was a charitable dinner with an auction in aid of the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation. The dinner was attended by numerous celebrity guests such as Mohammed Al Fayed, Bryan Ferry, Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Mr. Yuri Fedotov, Sir Vidia Naipaul, Lady Sabrina Guinness, Joely Richardson, Evgeny Lebedev, Kevin Spacey, Viscount and Viscountess Linley and Lady Gabriella Windsor.

Supporting the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation.

Sponsored by Access Industries, National Reserve Corporation, Graff, BMI, Rossiya and Timan Oil & Gas.

   
 
 
The Fourth Russian Winter Festival
(incorporating the Old New Year Gala Dinner)
13 January 2008, Trafalgar Square, London
The Russian Winter Festival is a major annual event celebrating and promoting Russian culture which takes place in the very heart of the British capital. For one day each year Trafalgar Square is a superb venue offering a wonderful taste of Russia to both children and adults alike and incorporating a varied programme of traditional as well as cutting-edge music and entertainment. It marks Russia’s Old New Year as according to the Tsarist calendar used prior to 1917 as is still celebrated in Russia today.

The festival sees the square transformed, with market stalls selling crafts and food, children's games, theatrical performances and puppets for the younger members of the audience. The festival’s programme also includes the Old New Year Gala Dinner, a select gathering with performances by the festival’s artists that takes place in the atmospheric surroundings of London’s ancient Guildhall.

Artists: children from Russian schools in London, the ensemble Slavyanye under the direction of Nadezhda Babkina, the Buryat ensemble Baikal, Star factory competition winner Mark Tishman, Bianka, The Russian National Dance Show, the retro ensemble Zemlyane, the pop groups Sankt Peterburg, Kuba, Fabrika and Dima Bilan, the rock group Alisa and DJ Lupin.

Ensemble Productions has provided artistic management and production support to Eventica the organiser of the annual Russian Winter Festival at Trafalgar Square ever since the festival’s inception in 2005.

   
 
 
The Russian National Dance Show
12 January 2008, Hammersmith Apollo, London
Performed by the National Ballet ‘Kostroma’, a group founded in 1991 as the first private professional theatre of folk dance in Russia. With 50 dancers on stage and 17 costume changes the troupe enthralled audiences with its mix of the classical and contemporary under the artistic direction of Yuri Tsarenko. The show was presented against a backdrop of panoramic sets that reflected in turn the spirit of imperial pre-revolutionary Russia, the passion of socialist zeal, the patriotism and unity of wartime, and the sparkling talent and richness of modern Russia. From orthodox to secular to heroic, this spectacular show offered a compelling insight into the traditions, culture and history of a great country.

Sponsored by Expocentr and the Kostroma Region Administration.