This year Bloch is proud to celebrate 80 years of unparalleled service to both the Australian and international dance industry. 

With a history rich in innovation from the very first pair of custom-fit pointe shoes created by Jacob Bloch in 1932, today Bloch is worn by artists in some of the foremost dance companies around the world. One such company is The Australian Ballet, another leader in the Australian dance industry celebrating an important milestone this year.

In 2012 The Australian Ballet celebrates its 50th anniversary, culminating with a spectacular Gala season from Wednesday 31 October ─ Saturday 3 November, at Arts Centre Melbourne. Featuring international guests artists presenting highlights from some of the world’s great ballets, and The Australian Ballet in the bravura showpiece Etudes, this is one celebration not to miss!

To mark it’s close relationship with The Australian Ballet over the last 50 years, Bloch is pleased to announce a significant financial gift to The Australian Ballet. The donation will assist in beaming the company’s 50th birthday Gala on Friday 2 November to live sites in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth, as well to 10 regional cinemas across the country from Katherine to Devonport.

David McAllister, Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, says “Bloch pointe shoes have been an integral part of bringing The Australian Ballet to the stage. We’re very thankful to the company for their contribution to our 50th Anniversary Gala, which enables us to broadcast the performance to screens across Australia.”

The Gala will feature artists of The Australian Ballet performing Harald Lander’s Etudes and Principal Artists Lana Jones and Kevin Jackson will perform George Balanchine’s Tschaikovsky Pas de Deux. Alongside The Australian Ballet, the Gala will include performances by international guest artists Sofiane Sylve, Damian Smith and Pierre-Francois Vilanoba, Principal Dancers with the San Francisco Ballet. Damian Smith will join The Australian Ballet’s Amber Scott in Christopher Wheeldon’s heartbreaking After the Rain©. Also on the bill is Stuttgart Ballet Principals Elisa Badenes and Daniel Camargo, and Principal Artist Julie Kent from American Ballet Theatre. Joining these beautiful artists will be dancers from The Tokyo Ballet and National Ballet of China.