Helene

This was not a journalist race-baiting Iksanov: it was Tsiskaridze, who has not claimed to have been misquoted, in addition to implying Iksanov was the wrong religion.

This was not a journalist race-baiting Iksanov: it was Tsiskaridze, who has not claimed to have been misquoted.

Of course I realize it. I don't find anything admirable in it. His race-baiting of Iksanov was particularly low in a series of lows.

Guesting isn't the same as fitting in, especially when you consider yourself in your 40's to be the world's greatest dancer. Tsiskaridze has exposed his own ugly as well.

Polunin has a reputation for drama, and that hasn't destroyed his career. Tsiskaridze brings in revenue and lots of prewss coverage where he is cast. If he has lifetime employment, does that mean the Bolshoi can pare his performances to a minimum and refuse to let him dance elsewhere, as long as they leave his name on the roster and continue to cut him his paychecks?

Oh, wow. Merkuriev and Polunin on the same stage together? My poor heart!

Having a baby has done wonders for many dancers.

The times when it's not he end of it is when a dancer decides to sue, which is expected in this case, since Tsiskaridze has another lawsuit against mangement. If he wins that suit, it most likely add strength to claims of wrongful termination, or whatever the principle is. Suing will not hurt his career. I'm sure there are plenty of companies with whom he could guest or even join and projects he in which he could paricipate or produce.

Gentle Reminder, If you can't say because there's no official source, please do not tell us you can't say. That's a given. Edited to add: this goes for "There's news coming up the pike" as well as specidic news. If Helgi Tomasson says officially that there's news coming, that's fine to post.

They haven't terminated his contract: they've opted not to renew it. What contract or civil law has management broken? I'm sure it will go to court, but under what principle would he win?

"Oy" was the best I could do. It's not a surprise: Tsiskaridze has been saying this would happen all along, and that Bolshoi management has been preparing for it by not casting him and taking away his students, or, at least, pressuring them to leave him.

PNB posted a minute-long excerpt of "Tide Harmonic" to YouTube: I only got to watch the opening until I realized I need to run to catch the bus to see the ballet live (duh), and my phone data plan is allergic to videos, but it opens with Laura Gilbreath, Carla Korbes joins from the right, and the Lindsi Dec and Rachel Foster from the left.

Here is the press release from the company: Oregon Ballet Theatre Announced Today Hiring of New Artistic Director Kevin Irving will join Oregon Ballet Theatre July 15, 2013 Oregon Ballet Theatre (OBT) is excited to announce the hiring of Kevin Irving as its new Artistic Director, following an exhaustive international search. Kevin Irving brings a wealth of experience as a dancer, teacher and Artistic Director, along with a depth of knowledge and connections in the dance world. "Kevin has very high standards and will not rest until they are met, whether in regards to artistic matters or balancing a budget," stated one of his dance colleagues. Kevin's training and track record as an outstanding dancing talent on an International level, as well as his proven abilities in management and artistic direction, education, fund raising and marketing, combine to make him an extraordinarily qualified leader to help take OBT to the next level of excellence, for Portland, the Region and Nationally. The contacts he has made over his illustrious career will enable OBT to present well-established classics as well as ballets from the major choreographers of today and emerging talents in the world of Dance. Kevin began his career as a dancer in 1980 with the Alvin Ailey Company. Subsequently, he was a principal dancer with Elisa Monte Dance, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Twyla Tharp Dance. In 1994 Kevin joined noted choreographer Nacho Duato's Compania Nacional de Danza in Spain, where he served for eight years as Head of Artistic Department and primary rehearsal director. From 2002 to 2007, Kevin was the Artistic Director of The Goteborg Ballet, which under his leadership was named the most important dance company in Sweden by Ballet International Magazine. Since then he has worked as a consultant, serving as President/Owner of Dance Masters Consulting. During that time he has worked as Associate Director of Morphoses and guest teacher for such notable companies as Alvin Ailey, Aspen/Santa Fe Ballet, New York Theatre Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and Juilliard Dance. He has staged works by many of the most distinguished choreographers in the world, including those of his partner, Nicolo Fonte, who has created works for OBT. Additionally, Kevin started the not-for-profit organization I-DANCE, which creates relationships between US-based choreographers and Latin American dance communities. Kevin earned his Bachelor of Arts in Dance Performance and Choreographic Studies from Empire College/SUNY, NY, has studied crisis management, work environments, conflict management and is fluent in Spanish, French and has conversational abilities in Swedish and Portuguese. OBT Board Chair, Ken Hick, says, "We are particularly gratified that the reputation and success of OBT has been able to attract a leader of such extraordinary success, experience, taste and skills. We welcome Kevin and his partner, Nicolo Fonte, as major additions to the Portland community and cultural scene and we are all looking forward to an exciting next chapter for OBT." Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, Mr. Hick added, “We also want to take this opportunity to thank Anne Mueller for the exceptional work she has done as Interim Artistic Director for the past six months. OBT is indebted to her for her passion, creativity and inspiration during the transition. Her participation at OBT as a dancer and leader has been tremendously important in OBT's success."

I would say Ms. Kochetkova is "a" star of SFB: Lorena Feijoo is another. She is phenomenal.

Kochetkova is a gorgeous dancer. I don't see how you can go wrong with any of them.

On her blog, Ismene Brown posted a translation of a Facebook post by Maria Prorvich on behalf of her husband, in which he talks about his latest surgery and those who have supported him: http://www.ismeneb.c...m_Facebook.html

The Harid School, one of a handful of US elite ballet training schools that is not affiliated with a specific company, is searching for an accompanist/music teacher. While most of our members are audience, we know we have some musicians among us and that many here might know of someone who'd be interested. Here is the job description and contact info: The Harid Conservatory, a tuition-free professional school for dancers located in Boca Raton, Florida, is seeking applicants for the full-time position of accompanist and music teacher. This position is available starting in June, 2013 The candidate should: a) have extensive experience accompanying ballet classes and have attained a high level of technical and performance ability at the piano. b) have good rehearsal skills consisting of thorough and responsible musical preparation, attention to detail, and a knowledge of ballet steps and choreography. c) have classroom teaching experience for a class in the Fundamentals of Music for Dancers including music theory, rhythmic and melodic dictation, sight-singing, and keyboard skills. d)! have the ability to work as a member of musical and educational team. Interested applicants should send a curriculum vitae to Michael Lazzaro at michael.lazzaro@harid,edu. No phone calls, please.

Hopefully she'll be back soon.

Mark Morris was interviewed in the "New York Times," and it was published today (6 June): http://www.nytimes.c...gewanted=1&_r=0 My favorite quote is: I wish that were every choreographer's MO.

Thank you so much for posting. The "Seattle Weekly"'s parsimonious space allocations are definitely our gain. Edited to add: PNB just posted a YouTube link to an Esther Williams tribute on its Facebook page. Ms. Williams died today at age 91. It's poignant that she passed during the run of "Tide Harmonic." Towards the end of the second movement Pas de Deux, I felt like I was watching a water ballet.