Charity auction raises funds for the Marine Conservation Society

Ocean Outdoor’s CSR initiative, Ocean for Oceans, and Royal Ballet star Fernando Montano extended World Oceans Day (June 8) celebration to a special evening of ballet, opera and classic music – Dance for the Sea – in the Susie Sainsbury Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music, London last night.

The event was held to support Ocean’s charity partner, The Marine Conservation Society, which is leading a global campaign to highlight the disastrous pollution of the world’s seas and oceans by plastic.

The evening was hosted by the TV presenter Sian Lloyd with choreography by Fernando who performed four dances. Joining him were the Lithuanian mezzo-soprano Justina Gringyte, West End star Oliver Tompsett and the Latvian concert pianist Reinis Zarins who accompanied them.

Also on the bill were the ballroom dance champions Axel Zischka and Thorsten Dreyer, Les Miserables’ lead violinist, Jonathan Hill; and cellist Yaroslava Trofymchuk who has just joined the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Last month, Ocean attracted national press attention when it presented dramatic clips from an underwater film and photoshoot produced by Fernando across more than 32 out-of-home screens in nine UK cities.

In the video and an exclusive series of 10 captivating photographs by Robin Conway, Montaño is immersed under water as he moves and dances among recycled plastic sculptures which were created by students at three London schools.

Ocean senior marketing executive Liliana Teixeira said: “Fernando’s underwater performance was extraordinary. Combining performance with unique and striking imagery to communicate a global issue really is The Art of Outdoor at its best. Dance for the Sea is the next stage in our Ocean for Oceans mission to help everyone turn the tide on plastic and we are delighted by the money it has raised so far for our charity partner.”

For seven days from July 22, an underwater exhibition featuring Robin Conway’s photography will be held at Kentish Town Sports Centre in London. This immersive exhibition promises to be a unique experience for swimmers.

For further details visit http://www.lovecamden.org/dancefortheseaexhibition