Held under the banner of “That’s Entertainment”, this year’s Kaiserball promises to be another swinging success. The traditional opening dances led by debutants from the Elmayer dance school will be punctuated by toe-tapping melodies from leading stage productions, which will also provide the soundtrack to the New Year’s Gala after midnight. “Acclaimed musical actress Maya Hakvoort, who played the leading lady in hit Austrian musical Elisabeth, will be among the performers in a star-studded line-up. She will sing “Diamonds are a girl’s best friend”, and other well-known songs in the Festsaal hall after midnight,” reveals Kaiserball artistic director, Helmut Fischerauer. The roll call also includes international opera star Kip Wilborn, Eugene Amesmann, and Gabriele Kridl. The Vienna Volksoper children’s choir will give a rendition of Michael Jackson’s hit song Heal the World alongside musical star Ramin Dustdar during the opening ceremony.
Celebrated band leader and musician Wolfgang Ortner will provide the musical inspiration for the ball. He is responsible for the midnight extravaganza and coordinating the orchestras playing in the various ball rooms throughout the evening. Alongside classic dance orchestras, performers include the popular Gerhard Aflenzer big band, a lively ladies’ choir, the traditional Deutschmeister and numerous other ensembles.
Ballgoers can dance the night away until 3.30am, with a particular highlight coming at 1.15am when the floor is opened for a quadrille. This traditional dance will be moderated by Manfred Zehender, one of the dancers from popular television show Dancing Star.
