"Monaco takes US" on an Enchanting Cultural Journey this February

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- This February, the Consulate General of Monaco and the Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York, with the Princess Grace Foundation-USA, invite lovers of the arts to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Principality, with Monaco takes US, a series of glamorous events on the east and west coasts to celebrate one of the world's most enchanting destinations.

Centered on the US tour of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, under the Presidency of Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover and directed by Jean-Christophe Maillot, the celebrations will take place from February 2 through 12 in Costa Mesa, California and from February 11 through March 31 in New York City to benefit Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. The renowned troupe was founded in 1985 by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover to fulfill a long-held wish of her mother, the Academy Award® winning actress Grace Kelly, who became Princess Grace of Monaco, to form a national ballet company in Monaco. This is the company's first US tour since 2004.

"With myriad cultural, sporting and lifestyle experiences, the Principality has attracted discerning visitors for centuries," said the Honorable Maguy Maccario, Consul General and Director, North America, Monaco Government Tourist Office.

"Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo exemplifies Monaco's rich artistic heritage and regal traditions, and we are delighted to invite residents from coast to coast to embark on a magical journey as Les Ballets celebrates a triumphant return to the USA with an exclusive West Coast engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and then onto New York City's Joyce Theater in the 30th anniversary year of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA."

Monaco takes US events include:

Costa Mesa, California

Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo's beautiful modern rendition of Prokofiev's Cinderella at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts on:

• Thursday, February 9 – 7:30 pm
• Friday, February 10 – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, February 11 – 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
• Sunday, February 12 – 2:00 pm

Individual tickets (from $13.60) may be purchased at the Segerstrom Center, by phone (714) 556-2787 or online at www.scfta.org.

Monaco takes Orange County on a cultural celebration from February 2 through 12: South Coast Plaza's Jewel Court will be home to a free exhibition called Monaco: A Dream Come True featuring the artistic legacies of Princess Grace of Monaco, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Principality via images, costumes and rarely seen footage. Visitors can taste Monegasque-inspired cuisine at fine local restaurants, and enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a luxury vacation for two to Monaco (round-trip on Swiss International Air Lines and staying at the Fairmont Monte-Carlo) plus a $1000 gift certificate from South Coast Plaza.

Audiences can continue their Monegasque cultural journey with a number of exclusive events in the Costa Mesa area including a Monaco-inspired dinner and a cast after-party on Saturday, February 11, and a farewell brunch on Sunday, February 12. Exclusive VIP packages are available for purchase from $300. Space is strictly limited. For information or to purchase packages, please call (800) 753-9696 or email [email protected].

New York City, New York

From February 15 through February 19, 2012, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo will present two avant-garde productions, Altro Canto I and Opus 40, on the same program at The Joyce Theater on:

• Wednesday, February 15 – 7:30 pm
• Thursday, February 16 – 8:00 pm
• Friday, February 17 – 8:00 pm
• Saturday, February 18 – 2:00 pm and 8:00 pm
• Sunday, February 19 – 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm

Individual tickets (from $10) may be purchased at The Joyce Theater, by phone (212) 242-0800 or online at www.joyce.org.

A free exhibition at The Forbes Galleries called A Legacy of Grace(February 11 through March 31, 2012) features stunning photographs by photo-journalist Marie-Laure de Decker and Monaco-born art photographer Silas Shabelewska, original costumes from Les Ballet's wardrobe, Princess Grace video highlights and a collection of the Princess Grace Foundation-USA's 30-year history. The exhibition will be open to the public on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and is reserved for group tours on Thursdays.

Related VIP events available for purchase, in exclusive packages starting at $250, include a cocktail reception at one of Manhattan's most breath-taking private townhomes with a chance to mingle with Les Ballets members on Tuesday, February 14, and on Wednesday, February 15 a cast after-party where guests can bid on luxury silent auction items. Space is strictly limited. For more information or to purchase a package, please call (800) 753-9696 or email [email protected].  

The Consulate General of Monaco and Monaco Government Tourist Office in New York acknowledge and thank their generous partners and sponsors including Champagne Paul Goerg, Fairmont Monte Carlo, Forbes Media, Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, Hotel Plaza Athenee (New York), Le Club Diamant Rouge de Monaco, Mr. & Mrs. Juan Pablo Molyneux, Montblanc, Nespresso, Oceania Cruises, Roger Dubuis, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Silas Shabelewska Photography, South Coast Plaza, Swiss International Air Lines, The Wall Street Journal (as of January 13, 2012). Partners of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo: CFM (Credit Foncier de Monaco) (Official Partner), Suissecourtage Assurances, Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo, and Rolex.

Proceeds raised during Monaco takes US will benefit Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Princess Grace Foundation – USA. For more: www.MonacoTakesUS.com, call (800) 753-9696 or email [email protected].

Under the Presidency of H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover 

Les Ballets De Monte-Carlo
Choreographer-Director Jean-Christophe Maillot 

This distinguished company of 50 dancers consistently delights audiences with breathtaking performances on the world's greatest stages, thus highlighting the Principality's cultural and artistic virtues. Les Ballets became the official company of the Principality of Monaco in 1985, founded by Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover in accordance with the wishes of her mother, Princess Grace of Monaco. Since 1993, under the direction of Jean-Christophe Maillot, the company has continued to delight international audiences with award-winning, awe-inspiring performances. www.balletsdemontecarlo.com

Princess Grace Foundation-USA The Princess Grace Foundation-USA was founded 30 years ago by Prince Rainier III of Monaco as a not-for-profit, publicly-supported organization, in honor of his wife Princess Grace [Kelly]. Headquartered in New York City, the Foundation carries on the legacy of Princess Grace by awarding scholarships, apprenticeships and fellowships to emerging artists in theater, dance and film. Since its inception, the Foundation has bestowed more than 700 Awards, totaling more than $8.5 million in grants.www.pgfusa.org

Consulate General of Monaco & Monaco Government Tourist Office
The only accredited Consulate General of Monaco in North America (www.Monaco-Consulate.com) provides consular services, cultural and general information. The Consulate also organizes exclusive promotional and philanthropic events and activities to benefit charitable endeavors, many of which are held under the patronage of the Princely Family, including the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation-USA. The Monaco Government Tourist Office (www.VisitMonaco.com/us) offers personalized tourism advice and information for individuals, group and business travel as well as access to Le Club Diamant Rouge for VIP travel membership within the Principality of Monaco.

SOURCE Consulate General of Monaco