Bonnette

For some time, I've been trying to track down the exact date in 1944 on which Balanchine's "Resurgence" was performed at the Waldorf Astoria for the March of Dimes benefit. Of course, I have found hundreds of references to the event, itself, and Balanchine's feeling that it cast a pall over Tanaquil Le Clercq; but nowhere have I seen the month and day of the event mentioned. Does anyone here know? I also wonder if this was a matinee, or an evening performance. Some of the references I've seen state that the benefit took place in 1946, but as Tanny was 15 years old when Balanchine created the ballet on her, the correct year would have to have been 1944. I am trying to correlate some facts for a bit of research I'm doing. Thank you!

To Bonnette:

"According to Microsoft's Babelfish translator, the headline above the video says: "Bolshoi Ballet's Hudruku Owl faces two operations." (I guess a Hudruku Owl - like the rose by another name - is an Artistic Director.)"

"Hudruku" = the idiotic translation of Russian abbreviation for "Aritistic Director"="hudruk"="HUDozhestvenniy RUKovoditel'"

"Owl" = "Filin". Last name, Filin, is spelled exactly the same as russian word for "owl".

Thank you for explaining this, fan2546!

Now that I've seen a number of signed photos, I know that officially, Tanny spelled her last name, "Le Clercq" (with a space). I think her family/relations have since dropped the space between the two words.

I'm glad to know that, pherank...I'd never seen an autographed photo of her before now, so I'm doubly grateful for your posts!

This was just posted on itar-tass.com today but without text for it, can someone give us a gist?

According to Microsoft's Babelfish translator, the headline above the video says: "Bolshoi Ballet's Hudruku Owl faces two operations." (I guess a Hudruku Owl - like the rose by another name - is an Artistic Director.)

Thank you from me, too, pherank - exquisite.

Thank you so much for posting those links, Jack, I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the video. Wasn't she sparkling, saucy and captivating! I'm having terrible bandwidth problems tonight, which was my good fortune in this instance - for I got to see many of the performances in slow motion (with quite a few interspersed stills, LOL). Utterly delightful.

She is mesmerizing...and that last link is very intriguing!

Thank you so much, pherank, it's lovely to see this gathering of photos. I'm delighted to learn that there will be a documentary about this wonderful dancer.

That is indeed the correct price, I just preordered it. The Search Inside feature includes some lovely photos. Thank you so much for letting us know, Marcmomus!

My deepest gratitude to everyone here, for making this such a welcoming, informative and enlightening place. Happy new year to one and all!

Birdsall, although I am a former dancer, it was so long ago - and I am so far out of the loop, both in terms of memory and first-hand acquaintance with contemporary dance issues - that I count myself a respectful, admiring bystander. Love of the art is what this forum is all about, and even the cognoscenti can benefit from fresh points of view and questions whose answers often call for reflection and renewed examination. I don't post often, as I have little to offer in the way of balletic expertise, compared to so many others here - but I do feel welcome, and hope that you will again, once the sting of this experience has passed.

I was delighted that Melissa and Tony won, as Melissa's progress throughout the season seemed to reflect a commitment to dancing, per se, coupled with adherence to program guidelines; Shawn and Derek were more about astounding through gymnastics and feats of derring-do that none of the non-professional competitors could hope to emulate. Shawn is a capable dancer - they might have won if they had resisted the temptation to pull out all the stops, and rules be hanged.

Oh, that is rich! I love Kenneth Williams. What a raconteur!

I apologize to you for the interruptions.

I think, rather, that thanks are in order for all you do to maintain this site.

My thought exactly! You keep things running smoothly and I am most appreciative, Helene.

This is marvelous! Thank you for posting the video, Jane.

I find it very frustrating that I can't learn a thing about ballroom dancing from listening to the judges on this show.

Yes, indeed! We hear a great deal about how much sexier someone is this time around, how strong the sizzle between partners, how fun and enjoyable and so on a performance was...but almost nothing about the forms, per se. I know that DWTS is more about stars than dancing, but there could be so much more depth and richness to the judges' necessarily brief commentaries...many missed opportunites.

The person who has to be dying inside is Mark Ballas. He knows full well that Bristol shouldn't be continuing in the competition. His predicament has got to be all the more depressing for him given that two of his former partners -- Sabrina and Shawn -- are doing well with other partners.

That's certainly how it seems to me. I've even had the thought that he's trying to commit "suicide by cop" by building his choreography around elements that are antithetical to Bristol's personality, and thus beyond her reach (even if she had stronger performance skills).

I, too, was surprised that neither Bristol nor Kirstie went home before Joey; in the upcoming double elimination, surely one of them will be tapped to leave. Emmitt's performance has been disappointing thus far, so he might be in jeopardy next week, as well (though he has a solid fan base).

In light of our aging/injured population and financial exigencies, more and more ballet companies are offering ballet-based movement therapies and classes in adaptive ballet technique. What a godsend! Here, too, Ruth Page blazed a trail.

Great tip about the pockets! Thank you, Mme. Hermine.

I echo carbro's words, nineleaflotus! So glad you're dancing.

Helene, they only did one repeat: Emmitt's and Cheryl's. I don't think it was top-of-the-leaderboard quality, but it was worlds apart from some of the others.

Miliosr, I was surprised, too, by Drew and Anna being in jeopardy.

Pamela appears to be in a tailspin, and Tom Bergeron managed her utterances and behavior with the professional aplomb and geniality he is known for. Emmy well deserved!

Diana Vreeland was a fascinating character and I've been eagerly awaiting this documentary. By all accounts, she was someone for whom the phrase "reinventing oneself" might have been coined...what style and panache! Thanks for the link, Natalia.

I would be shocked if Pamela isn't the first boot tonight. In no way was she in the same league as the other competitors (even the weaker ones like Kirstie and Bristol) tonight. Her cha cha cha was sooooo slow it was painful to watch. What's worse, she appeared completely disconnected from her partner, the other contestants and the show itself last night. Quite frankly, she seemed to me to be high as a kite. So disappointing as I liked her in her regular season and was hoping she would make a good showing here. But, it wasn't meant to be.

I have no idea who will be the other contestant in the Bottom Two (if the show does a true Bottom Two, that is.) On the merits, I would say Kirstie or Bristol should be there. But I suspect one of the middle-of-the-packers like Helio, Joey or Melissa may be there instead.

I agree with your assessment. Kirstie and Bristol were not in the same league as their competitors, but at least they were engaged; Pamela was, as you say, disconnected from her partner, and I felt pained on Tristan's behalf. I suppose the fan base will be the determinant between Pamela, Kirstie and Bristol, but from the standpoint of technique Pamela is weakest.

Lovely to see. Thank you for this clip.

All so lovely, and Danilova fairly jumps off the page...such a strong, commanding presence.

The McGuire Sisters were still appearing on television variety shows when I was a teenager...that clean, crisp sound was certainly on its way out back then, and nowadays it's nice to remember tunes like Sugartime. This year has seen the passing of so many artists and entertainers, and of course it stands to reason...but it pulls at the heartstrings, nonetheless.