Charity Spring Vienna Ball at AlmaU!

On April 21, 2018 in Almaty Management University, for the first time in university history, a grandiose celebration of dance art took place - Charity Spring Vienna Ball at AlmaU! The ball, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the University, had a good goal: funds raised at this event will be transferred to “Kovcheg” orphanage!

Shining with rhinestones of a photon with a red carpet, cavaliers in tailcoats and tuxedos, ladies in evening dresses, sounds of Strauss waltzes melodies in the hall, the hall decorated in white and purple shades - all this created an incomparable radiant atmosphere of a classical ball...

The ball was opened by Strauss waltz "Spring Voices" performed by State Academic Symphony Orchestra of Almaty, conducted by Chingiz Dauletbakov. Then there was a long-awaited moment of debutants' performance - a hallmark of every Viennese ball! To the strains of Tchaikovsky's Polonaise from “Eugene Onegin” opera, they in black tail coats and white dresses, solemnly entered the hall. The debutants of the ball are AlmaU students 1, 2 and 3 year of bachelor's degree, and even those who have just defended their thesis project. To participate at the ball in all their glory, the students spent two and a half months under the guidance of the choreographer Dmitry Nekhoroshev, who brought them to the floor.  

The president of Almaty Management University Asylbek Kozhakhmetov opened the ball:

“We have long dreamed of holding a real Viennese Ball at AlmaU with a classical waltz, a live orchestra, dresses and etiquette - and today we are laying a ball  tradition at the university, which I am sure will continue to contribute to  cultural and spiritual development of our students, teachers and employees for many years! - said the president of the university, - What is a Viennese Ball? It is not only great music, dances, which develop our aesthetic taste, give food to our physical and spiritual intelligence. But this is how a partner invites to dance, and how a partner responds to it, how the girl gives a hand, and the young man takes it, is part of a  culture, and  creation of such a culture is not less, perhaps more labor-intensive, than knowledge transfer.

We, University of Management, want to emphasize: the goal of business and management is not only money, but also creativity, culture, spirituality. Only when we create and float on the wings of creativity,  we achieve business goals better ... Now, after the First Vienna Ball took place at AlmaU, we can rightfully call our university a waltzing university,” concluded Kozhakhmetov.

Then a beautiful voice of  Diliya Kuanysheva, a singer of State Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet named after Abai, laureate of international contests, sounded, she performed immortal works of Kazakh and foreign composers, who became classics. Feeling of a gentle touch to the beautiful was left by the performance of the pupils of Almaty Choreographic School named after Seleznev (teacher Gulzira Ashimova) to Johann Strauss's “Waltz- Fantasy”.

And, finally, the debutants performed Viennese waltz, which is considered the king of waltzes ... “I almost got tears in my eyes when they were dancing," wrote one of the guests in Facebook ... And when it was announced: "Everyone is waltzing ! ", everyone came to the dance floor who knows how and loves to dance the waltz, the Ball atmosphere was so amazing! 

Soon the guests enjoyed one more of exquisite traditions of Viennese Balls - Radetzky's march, when the conductor controls not only the orchestra, but also the audience! And Genghis Dauletbakov brilliantly coped with the task.

And again, Strauss’ music! Gallop to the incendiary strains of a popular polka "Trick-trak" brought a merry stir and aroused pleasant emotions among the ball participants.

Style and grace - this is impression left by a slow foxtrot performed by the champions of Almaty city for ten types of dances by Gleb Levitsky and Milana Gladkaya.

An important part of the ball was a contest between the waltzers for the title of the best couple. The contestants were assessed by the jury, members of which were: many-time champion of the Republic of Kazakhstan in sports dancing, the head of "DanceLife" dance group  Dmitry Nekhoroshev; a many-time prize-winner of  international championships in ballroom dancing, the head of "Dance Studio Deluxe" Raushan Sarbalinova; participant and prize-winner of championships of the Republic of Kazakhstan in ballroom dancing, Pavel Zaitsev; participant and prize-winner of many republican and foreign tournaments in sport dancing Dmitry Mun.

The winners of the competition were a chief specialist of  AlmaU Language Development Center Valeria Lee and the director of Office for Development and Operation of Infrastructure Orazkhan Amirgozhin. The best couple were awarded with gift certificates of 10 000 tenge from Hard Rock Café, sweet prizes from “MARS” company and Tea gift sets from “Greenfield” company!

The second competitive dance was performed only by teachers and employees of AlmaU, representing the Schools, departments of the University, and AlmaU family couples - almost all participants were awarded with pleasant prizes and gifts. The winners were our star couple: Asylbek and Maral Kozhakhmetovs, who flawlessly performed everything they learned in ballroom dancing classes, got 4 first places from 4 members of the jury.

Then the best in bachata and salsa were chosen (yes, yes, do not be surprised, these social dances also entered the program of the ball), and then the most awaited event of the evening followed - selection of the best debutants of  Viennese Ball, with the super prize - flight to Dubai for two from the company AlaAvia Express! As a result, the main prize was given to Akhmedzhanov Abzal and Atazhanova Aygerim, who, in addition to air tickets, were awarded a certificate from "Toy Box Agency" and a certificate for a free visit to "Al Capone" karaoke club for 10 000 tenge!

Then a charity lottery was held, and collected money will be transferred to “Kovcheg” orphanage, where 56 children from 2 to 20 years old are brought up, some of whom are disabled.

The sponsors of the prizes were Hard Rock Café, MARS Company, Greenfield, “Cosmo Sancak” elite restaurant, Guest Houses “Zhibek Zholy”, Kazakhstan clothing brand ZZcollection, SPA Vostok, “Book City” store,  State Theater opera and ballet named after Abay, "Rock Crystal" karaoke club, "Brosh" company, "BossTan Gym" fitness club, "Flowers BEAUTY" beauty salon  and three schools AlmaU: School of Engineering Management, Graduate School of Management and GSSP&L, established their prizes for the winners.

After fourchette with chocolate fountains and snacks, the most staunch guests took part in a driving master class on bachata, zumba and salsa from Raushan Sarbalinova and Pavel Zaitsev.

The presenters of the evening were famous Kazakhstani television and radio presenters Arnur Istybayev and our graduate, the best voice of IAB, Svetlana Bayatova.  "Vox Acapella" group contributed to the program of Charity Viennese Ball of AlmaU, whose brilliant vocal was appreciated by the guests, and Kazakhstan pop stars: Anel Arinova and "Shamis" band.

It is possible to state by right, that Viennese Ball of AlmaU will become the most beautiful event in the cultural life not only of the university, but also our beloved Almaty, and will give impetus to hip development of this elegant and aesthetic direction in future.