Ballet in the Park takes centre stage at Assiniboine Park

A Manitoba summer tradition is back this week Ballet in the Park, the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's summer series of free performances outside at Assiniboine Park.

The 41stedition ofBallet in the Park starts Wednesday and runs until Friday at the Lyric Theatre stage. Shows begin nightly at 7:30 p.m.

The ballet company says more than 20,000 peoplegather at the park every summer forBallet in the Park, an annualevent that started in the early 1970s.

"It's a wonderful Winnipeg tradition. A lot of people come out to the park and they set up and have a picnic and watch a free performance from the Royal Winnipeg Ballet," said Tara Birtwhistle, a ballet master with the RWB.

"It's a wonderful opportunity and a way to see the ballet if you don't go out and see the ballet."

Dancers with the RWB's professional division will perform a number of pieces from The Nutcracker and Val Caniparoli's A Cinderella Story.

Birtwhistle said the shows have something for everyone, including "ballroom dancing, classical ballet, a little bit of jazz, and then we have Ron Paley,who's playing live on the piano for us."

Ballet-goers can take in some family-friendlyactivities before each night'sshow, and a number of food trucks will be on site for those needing a snack.

Any weather-related cancellations will be announced on the RWB's website.

Ballet in the Park kicks off the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's77thseason.