“I had heard about the fights with Louis Horst that were part of Graham’s creative process, but I had no idea how violent their sessions were – and how necessary. … Martha growled, hissed, and whirred her way through explosive movements she had just choreographed, … [and Louis] forced Martha to assign counts to it.”
Tag: 01.01.10
A New Etoile At Paris Opera Ballet
“At the end of the company’s New Year’s Eve performance of Rudolf Nureyev’s Nutcracker, the principal dancer Karl Paquette learned that he had been promoted to the exalted status of étoile, or star.” The rank is at the pinnacle of the company’s famously strict hierarchy.
A Dancer’s Flight From The Mullahs
“Afshin Ghaffarian’s identity papers described him as an actor, a profession that was not to the liking of the Basij militia … [But] acting was a cover. Ghaffarian is a dancer – an activity banned by Iran’s Islamic rulers.” The 23-year-old recounts his struggle to make dance within Iran, his capture at a protest and his escape.
Canada’s National Arts Center Orchestra @ 40
“It isn’t often realized that the National Arts Centre Orchestra has premiered more than 90 pieces of Canadian music in its four-decade history, nor is it fully appreciated how extensively it has criss-crossed the country and, especially under Zukerman, championed music education.”
Troubled Times For Cirque Du Soleil
“Last year, Cirque du Soleil’s founder, Guy Laliberté, was flying high – literally – making headlines around the world for his trip into space. But as the calendar flips over, the stilt-walking entertainment executive is coming back down to earth, and hard.”