balletmom2

Joining this late....but spent a good portion of last week in the Saratoga area and took in 2 performances....Wed eve and Thursday matinee...in part because it is my favorite place to see NYCB (we are NYC subscribers), and also because I wanted to "do my part" re: ticket sales. An observation and a comment: In a radio advertisement for the season, it was not ONCE mentioned that Balanchine choreography was featured in the programs (despite the anniversary!) I found the local/Albany press coverage provided great insight (although I admit that most of the coverage was along my anti-SPAC board line), and particularly enjoyed the Sunday paper suggestions for fund raising (I believe it was the Post Standard).

What exactly constitutes a quorum on this board? I find it shocking that a nfp board would try to justify making this kind of decision with less than half it's members involved. To me, that speaks volumes.

When you mentioned Reading Lolita in Tehran, it reminded me of another book, also autobiographical: Dreams of Trespass. It is a wonderful book written about the author's childhood in a harem in, if I recall correctly, Morocco. It is a relatively easy read, but thoughtful and enlightening.

What a terrific board! Funny Face, I can relate to your point about "lighter" books....they can provide balance to the sometimes harsh realities of our professional lives. I have certainly found this to be true...not just in my reading, but also in the movies that I choose to see. I also find that I like books about women and relationships (in the broadest sense of the word). Some authors I've read and enjoyed include Barbara Kingsolver(The Bean Trees, Animal Dreams, Pigs in Heaven (a trilogy of sorts) and The Poisonwood Bible), Rosemund Pilcher (Start with the Shell Seekers), Anita Shreve (though I really hated the end of "The Last Time We Met"), Barbara Delinsky (the later stuff...try "The Coast Road"), Kristen Hannah [/b](a mixed bag...), and of course, I read Grisham, Baldacci (I really liked "Wish You Well"...a book not like his others). I LOVED Seabiscuit for those who haven't had the pleasure. Right now I'm reading the Lovely Bones. I agree with you, BW, this is a very special book. Finally, not for all, but I was charmed by the first three books of the Mitford Series by Jan Karon. The first is titled At Home in Mitford. As I've read your posts, I've made a list of books to read! Thank you!

I was there too. Lovely setting, but unfortunately the seating doesn't work for people who want to see the dancing....not enough elevation of the stage/angling of the rows of the seats combined. Still, it was a lovely evening. We actually left our seats and stood with many others at the rear of the theater so that we could see. I felt all performances went very well, especially given the fact that the venue was new to the dancers. In this garden setting, on a stage surrounded by Venetian columns, I particularly enjoyed Pavane, danced by Miranda Weese, and Apollo (Boal, Kistler, Gho and Weese).

Darci did dance the Martins Swan Lake at Saratoga the summer after it premiered at the State Theater, with Jock. I'm not certain if she did so more than once, or just on the evening we were there.

I have attended the NYCB performances at SPAC for the last 2 years and agree fully with the "inside" seating. The company seems more relaxed up there and that usually translates well on stage. I live close enough to go up for the day, so the repeat performances aren't as much of a problem for me. I look forward to returning this summer...and would love to meet up with some of you! The Holiday Inn was fine, reasonable, and close to both SPAC and the Dance Museum. If you do stay there, be sure to make your way into town for at least an afternoon though....it is a wonderful place to window shop and sit for coffee/pastry.