Category: dance

“‘I’m going to walk through; it’s going to be so awkward,’ says BalletX artistic and executive director Christine Cox, addressing 119 auditionees and acknowledging the ever-intimidating clipboard she holds. The room bursts into laughter, and smiles linger as pliés begin.” Hannah Fox sits in on the audition. – Dance Magazine

Just in the past year, there’s been Red Sparrow, Suspiria, and Climax. “What is it about dancers that inspires filmmakers to depict them in various forms of total destruction? And, most importantly, how closely do these films hew to real life? In other words, are all dancers really just horny, deranged murderers?” Rachel Handler asks a couple of real-life dancers for the truth. – Vulture

“We want this public asset used for the maximum public benefit. Not only is there a housing crisis, there’s also a crisis in terms of us being able to preserve culture.” – KQED

“For dancers with a strictly concert background, making the transition into TV and film can feel like stepping into the unknown. The heightened speed of the rehearsals, ever-changing structure of the sets and somewhat alien nature of the cameras is enough to make even the most seasoned professional a little apprehensive. But dancers can apply the savvy they’ve learned on concert stages to on-camera opportunities.” – Dance Magazine

“We are being forced out because of lack of funding,” said Linda Andrews, the company’s artistic director, citing the withdrawal of crucial grants by the Jerome Foundation and the philanthropic arm of Target stores. “Things look like they are changing pretty dramatically amongst the funding community, and a lot of organizations are affected by that.” – The Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Deborah Jowitt, who has been reviewing since 1964, has probably vexed fewer choreographers than most other leading critics. She speaks of Taylor tenderly (“a genius”), and with gratitude. As the subject of her first review for The Village Voice (Nov. 9, 1967), he immediately wrote her with advice: She should have more confidence in her own views and not quote a senior critic to prop herself up. – The New York Times

On Friday, March 1, 17-year-old Melissa Ziad performed a few classical dance steps in front of a large Algerian flag at a demonstration in the country’s capital city of Algiers. The steps, like her outfit – ballet shoes with jeans and leather jacket – caught people’s attention. – France24