Centenary Summer Ball

Tuesday July 11^th 2023

Birmingham dance and culinary talents united for a fundraising event at Elmhurst on Tuesday 11 July as the school presented its Centenary Summer Ball and Birmingham-born Michelin star chef Glynn Purnell curated the evening’s menu. 

Glynn Purnell is often called ‘Yummy Brummie’ and received Birmingham’s first Michelin star in 2005. Glynn has taken part in Great British Menu, winning twice and appearing in later series as a mentor. He is regularly seen on Saturday Kitchen as a host and guest chef. 

For the Ball, award-winning event caterers Amadeus – also a Birmingham based organisation – worked with Glynn to bring his gastronomic vision to the table. Amadeus caters for more than 10 million people across its venue portfolio annually. Part of the NEC Group, it has a rich history in the events sector, delivering sustainable and high-quality dishes for guests at much-loved landmarks including the NEC, ICC and Birmingham’s two arenas.

About collaborating with Elmhurst and curating the Centenary Summer Ball menu, Glynn Purnell, said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to design a menu that suitably celebrates Elmhurst Ballet School, a brilliant training facility which Birmingham welcomed with open arms when it made the move to our fantastic city in 2004. I am so pleased to be able to contribute to celebrating 100 years of Elmhurst and seize the opportunity to bring theatricality and elegance to the dinner table at this special event.”

Jessica Ward, Principal of Elmhurst Ballet School, added: “Elmhurst has had an incredible year commemorating its Centenary, from a Royal visit to alumni reconnecting and inspiring current students. To conclude the celebrations with Glynn Purnell curating the menu for our Summer Ball is a real coup for the school and is the perfect way to take Elmhurst into its next 100 years.” 

Before the Summer Ball’s two-course dinner curated by Glynn, Elmhurst students performed a range of dance in the school’s studio theatre, including excerpts from Birthday Offering by Fredrick Ashton; Journey, a new ballet creation for the entire Lower School by Northern Ballet Soloist, Gavin McCaig; Juncture, a new contemporary piece by dance artist and filmmaker Charlotte Edmonds; graduates in an Atomos pas de deux, with choreography by Wayne McGregor; Elmhurst alumni now dancing full-time with Birmingham Royal Ballet performed Watch me Dance a work specially commissioned for the evening and created by Brandon Lawrence, a school Governor and former Principal of BRB who will be joining Ballett Zürich in Switzerland this autumn; and the whole school in the Grand Défilé, literally translated as the Big Parade. 

We are excited to share that next year’s Summer Ball will take place on Tuesday 9th July 2024. We have already received a lot of interest, and want to make sure we can welcome everyone who is interested in attending. To register your interest for next year’s event, please complete our form here or email our Development Team at development@elmhurstdance.co.uk