The 17th Annual Ballet Fest of Miami held the Etoiles Grand Classical Gala on Sept. 15. Guests enjoyed a VIP cocktail reception with Cuban delicacies and specialty wine.

A Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to world-renowned swiss dancer, choreographer and former artistic director Heinz Spoerti. The performance featured worldwide ballet companies and their greatest stars.

Miami Hispanic Ballet is the umbrella company for the annual International Ballet Festival of Miami (IBFM), founded in 1996 and considered one of the most important Festivals of its kind in the US. Its mission is to introduce the South Florida audience to a stunning array of national and international ballet companies of artistic excellence from Europe, Latin America, and the USA. The magnitude of the program and prestige of the participating companies have captured the attention of the most demanding audiences. The IBMF has received rave reviews and earned the utmost respect from local and international media.

For more information please visit www.internationalballetfestival.org.