15 replies to this topic

[Leigh Witchel]

I loved "Quick" too.  I didn't read your report before I went Saturday night, so I made an ass of myself by asking my Indian friends if it was derived from Kathak.  "Oh no!  This is Bharatanatyam."  Back to school for me.  Interestingly, one woman I spoke to who is a Bharatanatyam purist mirrored our discussions on Ballet Talk.  For her, what Rajarani was doing distorted the style too much for her to enjoy it.  Perhaps ignorance really is bliss; I could enjoy it for what it was.

I very much like the Boston dancers, but like Violin Concerto, really dislike the Elo piece, which is from the "One %#$%$# Thing After Another" school of choreography.  My problem with Camille Brown's piece was once she put on Miss Nancy Wilson singing, I stopped watching the stage and only listened.  I liked the Nkuleko finale, but after several days of the Festival and several big finales, I became a Grinch.  I got tired of people exhorting me to put my hands together and clap; I stayed with my arms resolutely folded across my chest.