11 replies to this topic

[dirac]

An interview with South African ballet dancer Andile Ndlovu.

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But for Ndlovu to be accepted into the rarefied world of classical dance -- which in South Africa is traditionally seen as an elitist and a predominantly white preserve -- the boy from the rough Soweto townships says he had to overcome outdated stereotypes.

"I used to be picked upon for the way I walk and the way I act or carry myself," he says of his time at school, where he became disparagingly known as "the dude who did ballet."

[dirac]

A review of New Jersey Balletin "Don Quixote" by Robert Johnson in The Star-Ledger of Newark.

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The New Jersey Ballet’s splendid, new production by company member Albert Davydov—which received its premiere on Saturday, at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts, in Morristown—remains a work in progress. The troupe cannot afford to purchase the elaborate sets and costumes.

Understandably, the ballet’s classical dancing is still more vivid than its dramatic scenes, which require further tinkering.

[dirac]

The Royal Winnipeg Balletcancels several tour dates for 'Svengali.'

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The ballet still plans to present the psychological drama at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa on January 26-28 and in British Columbia in April 2012.

The ballet apologizes for the scrapped performances, noting "it does not have a history of cancelling shows." But it notes that it is confronting financial difficulties with "live performance touring in some Canadian markets, and wishes to conduct its not-for-profit activities responsibly."

[dirac]

Columbia County Balletpresents its fourteenth Nutcracker.

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This is the second consecutive year that the company’s The Nutcracker will be held at the Imperial Theatre. In previous years, the performance took place at the Jabez Hardin Performing Arts Center in Evans.

Ballet Artistic Director Ron Jones said the Imperial’s 850-seat theater can fit many more people than the one in Columbia County. He also said there is a special aura about the Imperial.

[dirac]

The LakeCities Ballet Theatre presents its Nutcracker.

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The LBT's production of "The Nutcracker" was choreographed by Kelly Lannin, LBT artistic director. Music will be provided by the Lewisville Lake Symphony, led by Maestro Adron Ming. Special guest appearances include Julie Kent, returning American Ballet Theater principal dancer as the Sugarplum Fairy, and recently retired ABT principal dancer,Jose Manuel Carreno as the Cavalier.

[dirac]

An interview with Michael Holden and Elise Bickford of Maine State Ballet's Nutcracker.

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"I've grown up in this school, with all these people," said Holden, a junior, last week before a rehearsal. "It's been the best time here. It's like a little dance family."

Holden recently auditioned and was accepted to the School of American Ballet in New York City, where he hopes to begin studying next near.

[dirac]

Notes on the Sugar Plum Fairy in this preview of SavannahNutcrackers.

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On Saturday, Nov. 26, the professional Columbia City Ballet returns to Savannah with its annual gift of The Nutcracker, in the Johnny Mercer Theatre. At the Lucas Theatre, Savannah Danse Theatre’s production is presented twice on that same day. Both shows feature adult dancers and an enormous supporting cast of young dance students. Neither is using a real orchestra this year – although, it could be argued, when the evocative music by Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky fills the room, whether it’s live or Memorex, the dreamy Christmas atmosphere is created and sustained.

They’re all here – Clara, Drosselmeyer, Fritz, the Nutcracker, the Cavalier, the Gum Drops and the disagreeable Mouse King. The Danse Theatre sets the proceedings in Savannah, using local place and character names.

[dirac]

A listing of Nutcracker options in North Texas.

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Tuzer Ballet : Eisemann Center in Richardson. (Dec. 17-18)

Tanju Tuzer and his wife, Patricia, have produced their Nutcracker for 27 years. According to Danna, “Tuzer packs a lot of dancing into the first half of the ballet” rather than plodding through plot. However, she says, “larger ensemble pieces, Kingdom of the Snow and Waltz of the Flowers, are somewhat under choreographed.” Still, the production is not lacking in moments that will fill you with holiday cheer.

[dirac]

The Mariinsky Theater will get a new concert hall. Thanks to Jayne for sending in the link to this story from Reuters.

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The Mariinsky Second Stage expected to open next year across the canal from the grand original theater will be a contemporary performance space with soaring glass walls and a roof-top ampitheatre designed to attract younger and wider audiences to the performing arts in Russia's former imperial city.

The hall's elevated public spaces and floor-to-ceiling windows will take advantage of views over the golden cathedral domes which adorn St. Petersburg's dramatic skyline, according to the Canadian architect chosen to design it.

[dirac]

A review of  Complexions Contemporary Balletby Brian Seibert in The New York Times.

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Since Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson founded Complexions Contemporary Ballet in 1994, the company has had one clear reason for existing: as a showcase for the virtuoso dancing of Mr. Richardson. Because this will be his last year touring with the group, a new justification will soon be required.

Mr. Rhoden's choreography isn't it. Never has been. Over the years it has become commonplace for a critic to praise Mr. Richardson's charisma and prowess by saying that he can make even Mr. Rhoden's dances watchable. The first program of Complexions' two-week season at the Joyce Theater gave Mr. Richardson one more chance to do that, with the premiere of "What Come, Thereafter."

[dirac]

A CBC story on the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's canceled tour dates.

Rob Herd, Executive Director of the RWB, says ticket sales were poor. "Rather than continuing on and taking a huge risk and then maybe disappointing people once tickets are bought we would pull back at this point in time to be prudent," he said.

He admits competition for the entertainment dollar is fierce. "We've had things that have come close to the edge but what we're finding is that the market is changing quite drastically and all of us I think are adapting to that."

[dirac]

A radio story on dance students appearing in Pacific Northwest Ballet's Nutcracker. Audio and transcript.

Devries: "I am a snowflake and I am a flower and I will also be a party mom in the first opening scene."

For most of PNB's dance students, the "Nutcracker" is a chance to shine in front of friends and family. But for Devries and 14 other students, this year's "Nutcracker" is the last one they'll perform as dancers–in–training. Pacific Northwest Ballet presents 36 Nutcracker shows between Thanksgiving and December 27. The top students will dance in more than half of them. It's a grueling schedule.