Category: dance

The Russians “have never really danced,” says the Spanish choreographer, whose new job is directing St. Petersburg’s Mikhailovsky ballet company. “They have the best dancers in the world, a lot of money, a lot of publicity, a lot of soul, but they need renovation, and they are very conscious of that.”

Alastair Macaulay: “Nowhere more than in narrative has ballet become the land of low expectations. Audiences regularly sit through a poverty of dance-narrative expression that they would never tolerate in a movie, a novel, an opera, a play or even a musical.”

The current patriarch of American modern dance did study ballet at the beginning of his career, but gave it up because he “didn’t feel it was, um, American.” His 1987 memoir included a famous attack on ballet as a form, though now, at age 80, he says he’s mellowed somewhat on that issue.

Company member Julie Worden: “He tells everybody to do less. Even in an audition, he’ll tell people who are trying to impress him to calm down. It’s very counterintuitive.” On his giving notes: “He tweaks things every time we’re with him. … You think you’re being ripped to shreds and it might be for someone else’s benefit.”

“In countries as far flung as Germany, South Africa, Malaysia and Russia, Indian classical dances – Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam and Mohiniattam – are not only making an impression but also getting a new, bold twist, thanks to foreigners passionate about these dances.”

Wendy Perron: “My last outburst touched off a firestorm of responses. … What I appreciate most is that my cranky complaint has triggered a series of blogs that really take a look at this trend (of step-by-step blogging about what happened in the studio that day) and try to figure out the most effective ways for choreographers to go public with their musings.”

“A year ago [Chase] Brock was selected to choreograph a Wii game, Dance on Broadway, that has become a top seller, and members of his small troupe, the Chase Brock Experience, were enlisted as models for the game’s avatars.”

“Creating dance scenes for 3-D requires an entirely new mentality for choreographers, most of whom have worked exclusively in traditional screen formats.”

“American Ballet Theater announced Thursday that it will travel to Cuba to dance in the International Ballet Festival of Havana in November. … The upcoming festival is in honor of the Cuban-born dancer Alicia Alonso, the director of the National Ballet of Cuba, who danced with ABT in the 1940s.”

“The idea is that dance helps ease the symptoms – and some hope might even slow the progression – of [the neurological disorder]. … But just as important, the dance class is an opportunity for joy, creative expression and socializing – an antidote to the depression and isolation that can come with Parkinson’s.”