“Caminar, cruce, gancho, ocho. The dance steps are not usually associated with the South Caucasus, but thanks to a prolonged period of stability following Georgia’s 2003 Rose Revolution the country is increasingly connected to the outside world – and starting to enjoy pastimes that come from afar.”
Category: dance
How Shostakovich’s “The Bolt” Changed Ballet History
“Despite its seemingly impeccable narrative of industrial espionage being routed by heroic factory workers, its creators were too tempted to have fun with their cast of baddies (the Lazy Idler, the Petty Bourgeois Woman, and the decadent, western types satirised by the local amateur theatre troupe). They were too obviously bored by the decent workers, the earnest members of the local Komsomol group – the young communist league.”
The French Are Simply Mad For Christopher Wheeldon’s “American In Paris”
The choreographer’s stage adaptation of the fabled Gene Kelly-Leslie Caron Hollywood musical – the first ever – at the Théâtre du Châtelet (and headed to Broadway) has won ecstatic reviews and completely sold out its run. (includes audio)
How “The Nutcracker” Conquered American Ballet
“When the San Francisco Ballet company performed the first complete version of The Nutcracker in the U.S. on Christmas Eve, 1944, they had no way of knowing that in time it would become as American as leaving the milk and cookies out for Santa.” (includes video)
Ballet Is Ruthlessly Darwinian, Not To Mention Dangerous
“Ballet is a high-risk activity, and a slippery patch of stage or a split-second’s inattention in a leap can spell serious injury and months of rehabilitation.”
In Dance, Collaboration Can Be Challenging (But Usually Worth It)
“There are pitfalls. Sweat causes the hands to slide upward from the waist to the chest, where they are least helpful. Leotards can be slippery.”
Dancers And Other Artists Protest After Belgian Opera House Kills Off Its Entire Dance Budget
“The potential break with dance is startling at a theater that has had exceptionally strong links to the form since 1960.”
What Does Dance Have To Do With Video Games?
“How do games and dances both incorporate four characteristics that demonstrate the realm of possibility, the realm of predictability, and hard work? These themes — simplicity, surprise, transformation, and repetition — became clear to me when, as a choreographer, I began working in the field of computer game design.”
Dance And Technology Meld To Explore Movement
Digital environments can come alive in ways physical sets cannot.
Keeping Alvin Ailey’s Company Vital, 25 Years After His Death
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle, only the third person to head the company in its history (and the first not to be an original member of the company) talks about keeping Mr. Ailey’s technique and works alive as well as adding other choreographers’ work to the repertoire. (audio)