8 replies to this topic

[dirac]

An interview with Carlos Acosta.

http://www.belfastte...e-16058952.html

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This will not be the first time Carlos has visited Belfast, having previously come here in the late 90s with the Royal Ballet. And in spite of the countless stages he has graced in the past, it is still a visit which holds many positive memories for him. “I remember people being very friendly, taking time to point you in the right direction or they would grab you by the hand and take you there,” he says. “I was struck by how friendly they were and it has always stuck in my mind.”

Although he is largely based in London, the 38-year-old still holds that love in his heart for his home country. “I am trying to create a dance centre in Cuba,” he says. “I want to help my country in any way I can.”

[dirac]

Alberta Ballet will perform 'Love Lies Bleeding.'

http://www.vancouver...6578/story.html

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Grand-Maître, who calls John the Johann Sebastian Bach of pop music, said most of John’s songs were composed in under an hour. Taupin would give him the lyrics and John would park them in a drawer until he felt sad enough to tackle them. The music came out so quickly, Grand-Maître said, it was like an emotional Polaroid.

“I never called it a biography,” Grand-Maître said by phone from Calgary. “To do a biographical ballet on a rock star would be the most boring thing. Better to leave that for books and literature than for dance.”

[dirac]

A story on David Hallberg's move to the Bolshoi by Marc Kirschner and Kathleya Afanador for The Huffington Post.

http://www.huffingto...i_b_996483.html

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American dance companies are already struggling against an influx of international companies on local stages. As live performances from international companies become immediately accessible in cinemas and on digital platforms such as iTunes, domestic dance companies will face increasing competitive pressure. If Hallberg's move indicates a trend, they will also face more competition for talent. Are they ready? For too many, that answer is no. Globalization is happening in dance, and American companies are losing a battle many don't even realize they're fighting.

At the Bolshoi, Hallberg will partner young superstar Natalia Osipova -- a pairing that hints at greatness of the Rudolf Nureyev/ Margot Fonteyn variety. But there is more at stake here than artistic excellence. This year alone, the Bolshoi is broadcasting five live performances and two pre-recorded performances to cinemas worldwide -- more than any other ballet company.....

[dirac]

The Festival of Russian Ballet visits Australia.

http://www.brisbanet...1005-1l9j2.html

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The program opens with a fast-paced, heavily edited, 60-minute version of Don Quixote; followed by a ''modern, magical'' take on the classic Bolero; and a final act that features eight diverse performances from classics such as The Dying Swan to modern choreography including the Can Can Surprise.

''I'd say 70 per cent is classic and 30 per cent is contemporary. We also have a lot of fun with this performance so there is something for everybody,'' says Taranda of the three-hour show.

[dirac]

Charleston Ballet Theatre faces accusations of using copyrighted material without permission.

http://www.charlesto...ent?oid=3612316

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Resident Choreographer and CEO Jill Eathorne Bahr and the CBT's board of directors say the issues have been resolved. According to a statement released in August, "The board of directors was made aware that some dances used at our events contained works for which we did not have licenses to perform or for which the original owner disputed the terms of licensing agreements. The events happened months ago and were dealt with appropriately at the time. We understood at the time that the owner of the original material and all parties involved were satisfied with the action that was taken to remedy the situation." Yet a number of current and former dancers have stood up to complain about poor management and improper handling of the issues.

[dirac]

Five choreographers select the active choreographer they most admire.

http://www.guardian....-choreographers

Derek Deane:

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Jirí Kylián is a dance genius, probably the only one left. Many choreographers lean on other people's styles – it's hard to be original when so much has gone before – yet Kylian's work is completely individual. You instantly recognise his style: it's always breathtaking, always inspirational, the way he blends the dancers' bodies. He doesn't usually concentrate on storytelling, but on emotions. He moulds and manipulates the performers into incredible shapes. He invents whole new ways to move, to balance, to turn the human form inside out.

[dirac]

Mikhail Baryshnikov gives his archives to the New York Public Library.

http://www.nytimes.c...?_r=1&ref=dance

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These videotapes are part of a cache of personal recordings, photographs, documents, letters and scrapbooks that Mr. Baryshnikov, 63, has donated to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. “It’s my whole life,” he said of the 35 boxes of materials that he and his wife, Lisa Rinehart, packed up.

There is his small red Vaganova yearbook from 1967, candid snapshots and stacks of fan letters from celebrities like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Frank Sinatra and Kirk Douglas, Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton and a long list of choreographers like Trisha Brown, who wrote, “Gravity leaves no fingerprints on you

.”

[dirac]

New Atlantic Ballet Theatre presents a ballet on the subject of domestic violence.

http://www.theglobea...article2192290/

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Pollock and Dobrovolskiy included three other couples in the ballet besides the main couple, who portray condensed versions of domestic violence. “I like the idea of four couples because the narrative focus of a single storyline would be predictable,” Pollock says.

The ballet also includes a video component, by New York designer Adam Larsen, which accents the physical violence happening on stage.

[dirac]

First State Ballet Theatre presents 'Don Quixote.'

http://www.sussexcou...xote-at-DelTech

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Grenfell said the company is facing a challenge as well in trying to find ballet audiences throughout the state. They’re trying to build an audience by blending classics like “Don Quixote” with more contemporary offerings and taking them on the road. This season they’re staging nine productions in five venues across all three counties.

When asked where they’d like to perform, Grenfell said it’s simple:
"Anywhere that there’s a stage that’s big enough and anywhere we think we can get an audience.”