checkwriter

Are there direct flights from Salt Lake City to Moscow? Hey, there's always the Goodwill Games . . .

Try the Google search engine image search, which can be found here: http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en Enter the name of a dancer (try "Jock Soto," for example) and you're likely to have some choice of images (in his case, five), assuming the dancer is well-known enough to have images posted on websites. Don't forget that most images are protected by Copyright laws, so be careful how you use the ones you find.

Here are her wood "shoe forms", in a collection at Boston U (scroll down the page): http://www.bu.edu/bridge/archive/2001/02-23/artsole.html Maybe someone there could help.

I didn't watch much of the broadcast, but loved it nonetheless -- it kept five kids quiet for the entire hour (or whatever the time was) that it was on, allowing me to work on dinner in relative peace and quiet. From that perspective, I give it two thumbs WAY up!

FYI, the Google search engine (at www.google.com ) now is running a test version of an image-searching engine. Just enter your search terms as you would normally, and the engine responds with images that somehow are responsive. Kind of a neat new toy, and a good way for scouring the web for dance photos, images for kids' homework assignment, note cards, etc. (Just remember to respect all copyrights.)

Revenge review or not, Gottlieb has made some legitimate points. Some of the NYCB issues he identifies could be the product of Martins having a total of 91 dancers (count 'em - I did) from whom to choose. Not including apprentices. What a headache that must be! And think of it from the dancer's perspective - sharing a too-short career with 90 other dancers? On top of which Martins is dealing with each year's crop of new talent coming out of SAB. But with a roster of 91, is there room for new talent? I've heard that the existing talent is making it very hard to add to the ranks from the school. An unfortunate turn for the many talented students hoping to dance for NYCB. Having spent the summer in SF, it's interesting to see the contrast in the way the local companies are treated. SF Ballet is comparatively on a roll, with a broad Ballanchine repertoire enlivened by serious new works from home-grown talent as well as the Wheeldons of the world. While lacking the Ballanchine legacy, the SF Ballet is freer to pick and choose from that tradition as well as new directions. The locals seem to love where the company is. And the frequent international tours help the company build the kind of in-person exposure that builds great reputations.

Interesting point, Major. Though I would daresay that religion has served as the unwitting (but sometimes willing) scapegoat for politics in more wars, pogroms, and purges than either of us could name.

ABT's pricing is stratospheric compared to NYCB! We saw principals' shoes priced at anywhere from $400 to $1000 a pair. Keep in mind, of course, that what they're really seeking is a donation. But I'm also told the prices are higher at the balcony stand than on the lower level. But for those prices you'd expect that they'd at least personalize them for you . . . or come over some Thursday night and twirl around once or twice on your back porch, leaving the shoes behind.

From alt.arts.ballet (and so unconfirmed): Funeral Service for Tanaquil Le Clercq Friday, January 5 at 10 a.m. Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch 552 West End Avenue (entrance on 87th Street)