Category: dance

Celebrations of Merce Cunningham’s choreography (and life) spread across the globe this year, cand horeographers who were part of his company at some point are dealing with “the anxiety of influence” as they make works for the celebrations. Four of the choreographers “spoke of Cunningham’s example as a life-changing liberation. They all spoke of gratitude and ambivalence.” – The New York Times

Last week, ballet’s perpetual problem child had his manager summon a non-dance journalist to hear him “explain his recent activity on social media” — a series of Instagram posts that basically wrecked his career. Simon Hattenstone went, and Polunin explained — in his way. And no, he doesn’t regret anything. – The Guardian

“As his work for seven dancers moves from darkness (the staid and somber Assyrian Court) to tranquility (the meditative Chinese Garden Court) and finally lightness (a bright court in the American Wing), [he] takes the audience on a journey laced with history and spirituality.” Gia Kourlas talks with New York City Ballet corps member Silas Farley about his new piece, Songs from the Spirit. – The New York Times

“We have considerably increased the marketing for our organization and have rebranded the company entirely. We have tripled our seasonal programming, created a series of special performances for young audiences and added a number of popular events.” – Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Marcello Angelini of Tulsa Ballet: “I think the current system for ballet companies robs dancers of their edge, whereas in Broadway, you need to remain marketable all the time. When a show opens, nobody knows how long it will run, and there is always a chance you may be unemployed in a matter of weeks. The cast needs to engage their audience show in, show out, as lackluster performances may lead to reduced ticket sales and, rather quickly, the show closing.” – Dance Magazine

A placeholder image that went viral last month had bunheads worldwide worried. But it’s merely a placeholder for engineers. – Pointe

“Shot in a single-take, the [five-minute] dance routine is more than just choreographed steps. It shows off the dancers’ individual styles which include voguing, an improvisational dance form that mixes exaggerated model poses with mime-like movement; waacking, characterized by rapid arm movements; and krumping, an aggressive and emotional dance born on the streets of South L.A.” Choreographer Nina McNeely talks to a reporter about the strange ways the sequence came together. – Los Angeles Times

“In what seems to be a growing trend, regional companies are coming together to share stages and expand their audiences. These team-ups often go beyond split bills, with companies swapping choreographers and performing at least one joint work. While the logistics of co-presentations can be complicated — with more dancers to schedule, budgets to balance and creative visions to blend — the benefits can range from bigger box-office returns to lasting relationships for the artists.” – Dance Magazine

Said the 62-year-old Michael Mael, “I’m at the age where I need some balance. The ballet needs someone who is all in. Somebody who is at every single performance and every single donor event and social event. And that’s not where I am in my life.” – The Washington Post