Fund drive in full force to save California Ballet

The push is on to save the 43rd Season (2010-2011) of the California Ballet Company through an online fund-raiser with the goal of netting $225,000 by April 13. Go to www.californiaballet.org and click on: “Make a Donation.”

In a press release dated March 29, Director Maxine Mahon said dancers, management and administrative staff have taken salary cuts as the company “fights to push forward into the next season and keep the art of ballet on the stage.”

“We want to open the curtains in 2010,” Mahon said. “We want to keep professional dancers employed. ... The community of San Diego could lose an artistic jewel and the most popular, longest-running ‘Nutcracker’ production in Southern California.”

California Ballet is a non-profit 501-(c) 3 organization in residence at San Diego Civic and Balboa Theaters. It welcomes tax-deductible donations “of all sizes” online or through checks made out to California Ballet Company and mailed to 4819 Ronson Court, San Diego, CA 92111.

For more details, call (858) 560-6741.

The California Ballet’s next performance will be a Chopin Tribute with 2:30 and 8 p.m. May 1 performances at Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave. San Diego.

The tribute will feature the romantic “Les Sylphides,” and include a full-cast premiere of Mahon’s choreography to Chopin’s “Piano Concerto #1,” plus four other dance pieces. Tickets are $60-$25 at (858) 560-6741.