This is not a pleasant story. “In theory, NYCharities was a small dance company’s dream. Free to use, the nonprofit acted as a clearinghouse for companies to accept credit and debit card donations online. It also allowed companies to sell tickets to galas and events, set up recurring donations and even give donors the option to pay processing fees themselves—an important feature for dance companies with small budgets.” And then? Well, it stopped transferring money, returned no phone calls, and disappeared. (Now the NY Attorney General is investigating.) – Dance Magazine
Category: dance
Hollywood Enabled ‘Eccentric Dance,’ And Now It’s Celebrating The Genre
Of course, eccentric dance wasn’t new when the movies started recording it. “Eccentric dance can trace its origins to ancient times and has roots in many cultures. But perhaps no place did it flourish more than in the movies, particularly from the 1930s to the 1950s.” – Los Angeles Times
Benjamin Millepied’s LA Dance Project Announces New Dance Festival
The new festival this fall will feature six world premieres from choreographers including 2013 MacArthur fellow Kyle Abraham, Jacob Jonas and Janie Taylor — plus collaborations with noted artists on sets and costumes. – Los Angeles Times
Orlando Ballet Plays Hardball In Their Negotiations With New Performing Arts Center
The Ballet leadership is definitely playing offense here. Rather than direct their side of the story to favored reporters or even just the media, these emails are going out to everyone on their mailing lists. – Orlando Weekly
Alvin Ailey Company Appoints Its First Resident Choreographer
“Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater announced Thursday that Jamar Roberts has been selected to be the company’s first ever resident choreographer. Mr. Roberts, a veteran company member, will begin his tenure with Ode, an examination of the value of life in an era of pervasive gun violence.” – The New York Times
New York Times Names Gia Kourlas Staff Dance Critic
Kourlas has been writing reviews and features for the Times on a freelance basis since 2000; she has also been dance editor of Time Out New York and an editor of The Paris Review. – The New York Times
This Biophysicist’s Study Of Ballet Movement Could Help Both Neurology Patients And Robots
“[Dagmar Sternad] began working with dance artists … to discover the scientific roots of human balance and coordination. But over the years, she realized that her research could have broader applications, like helping stroke victims relearn and recover skills they might have lost. And, increasingly, she’s been investigating her work’s connection to robotics.” (includes video) – Dance Spirit
A Wearable Robot Makes You Dance To Its Moves
“My arms jerk up and down and twist from side to side with the beat, but my own muscles aren’t doing the work; my flesh is being pushed around in space by the 45 pounds of metal, cable, and hydraulic cylinders running across my shoulders and down my arms. A robot is making me dance. With me beneath the lights are 11 other humans, each cinched into an exoskeleton of their own.” – Wired
The Island Whose Contemporary Dance Company Are Superstars
In Taiwan, Cloud Gate Dance Theater is so beloved that the company’s farewell performance for founding director Lin Hwai-min (who’s reitring after 46 years) drew 50,000 people to the plaza in front of the National Theatre. Roslyn Sulcas talks to Lin and his successor as artistic director, Cheng Tsung-lung. – The New York Times
Taking Over From Ohad Naharin At Batsheva Dance Company Is A Huge Challenge. Here’s The Woman Who Took It On
Gili Navot, who has been leading the company since last September: “For the past 30 years, Ohad was artistic director and choreographer, and this is the first time there was a separation between the two. … Over the course of the season we were able to go through a process in which he learned to let go and I learned to take. There was something harmonious about it and it is still happening and taking shape, but somehow it is clear.” – Haaretz (Israel)