Taking Steps to Thank New York City Ballet

“This is Belmont!” Peter Martins said, laughing. The New York City Ballet’s master-in-chief was comparing his company to a stable of racehorses, the same way he did when they appeared in Costa Mesa four years ago.

Actually, it was George Balanchine--founder of the NYCB--who originated the comparison, said the Danish-born Martins (devastatingly handsome in black tie). “Racehorses are very strong animals with fine, slender legs and small ankles. One misstep, and it’s over!”

Martins was among 200 guests kicking up their heels at the Westin South Coast Plaza on Sunday night after the company’s final performance at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

The ballet master swept into the gala fashionably late and took his place near Center President Thomas Kendrick at the A table, next to the dance floor. Also joining Martins for a sit-down dinner was ballerina Kyra Nichols, Center General Manager Judy Morr and ballet buffs Elaine and Bill Redfield.

Members of the Center Dance Alliance--a Center support group--staged the bash, which for $150 per person included dining, dancing and the chance to rub elbows with some of the country’s most brilliant dancers. A steal .

Its theme was Stars and Stripes Gala, after a work choreographed by Balanchine to music by John Philip Sousa. The party saw guests waxing ecstatic over the dancers and the dancers waxing ecstatic over the chance to perform again in Orange County.

“It’s lovely being here,” said Alexandre Proia, a Paris-born dancer. Proia said he planned to do some social dancing at the party. How did he compare social dancing to ballet? No comparison. “Ballet is art ,” he said.

Art indeed. Act III featured “Vienna Waltzes,” with music by Johann Strauss. For this sequence, the stage at Segerstrom Hall featured a mirrored backdrop and gigantic shimmering snowflakes suspended from the ceiling. The beautiful ballerinas whirled about in billowing white satin gowns, escorted by dashing men in black tie. Breathtaking.

Even ballerina Jenifer Ringer, 17, was still starry-eyed over appearing in the number. “Doing that dance fulfills the dream,” Jenifer said, “the dream of dressing up and dancing with a very handsome man.”

Ballerina Jennifer Fuchs, 21, was featured in the “Explosions--Polka” sequence, also by Strauss. “It was fun,” she said. “When I dance in it, I can’t stop smiling. You hope you’re on the music, because it’s so fast!”

Gala chairwoman Martha Morgan dressed up the hotel ballroom with long-stem red rose bouquets and gold-edge black ribbon. Gold stars were scattered across each table.

“We didn’t want a literal interpretation of the Stars and Stripes,” Morgan said, noting the party’s elegant red, gold and black theme.