koshka_jete

I have noticed, as I've frequented the Bolshoi stage this fall, that you can hear their shoes and some of their heavier steps quite well throughout the theater. But its not just the russian companies. Last night I went to see the Houston Ballet perform at the Bolshoi. My seats were in the fourth balcony (the highest level-lets just say your eye-level is higher than the grand chandilier) and I could still hear the shoes and heavy landings of those dancers... About the stage, from the many different parts of the theater that I have sat, the stage looks like it is covered with the traditional black marley.

Dancing Meghan, if you don't mind me inquiring, what's the range of prices in tickets that are being sold for their US tour?

Those performances are during a holiday weekend here in Russia and I'm planning a trip up there. I've only seen the Kirov once before on tour in London and was looking to see if anyone had some recommendations of which performance to see. During her birthday celebration/performances they will perform Sleeping Beauty, Raymonda, or Don Q.... I'd love to go to all three, but I'm not sure if my friend would ...

Old Fashioned- You should definitely try to catch the Swan Lake. Its not my favorite ballet either, but I got to see it in Moscow this fall and it was definitely done quite well.

Has anyone taken classes in this dance form before? Any experiences, tips, etc. to share? I hope to start taking some classes in this dance discipline soon. I now live in a city that offers a wide variety of dance forms and I want to test out the diversity... Tango sounds like fun, but I have not had any experience with anything spanish-y, except for ballet summer intensives (we had spanish classes). Thanks!

If anyone's interested, the Bolshoi website (www.bolshoi.ru) now has their Opera and Ballet season in calender format for September through December posted. La Scala and Houston Ballet are on calender for performances.

I'm seeking some advice.....I'm moving to Moscow in the fall (late August) and plan on seeing as much of ballet as I can. What is the best way to get tickets to the Bolshoi? By going to the theater office before the performance, etc? Also does anyone recommend other ballet companies to see while I'm there? Thanks! Kate

Sonora-- Last summer I was attending the Kirov in DC during July and there were a few dance things going on. But nothing too major. At one of the Kennedy Center stages there was a July summer series, which included dance performances every few days on one of the "free" stages (sorry don't remember the name). Whenever there wasn't dance that night, the stage was being used by another performing arts group, etc. (still free to the public). These performances were not classical ballet, but more along the lines of modern or folk. I remember there was a troupe performing Indian dance one night. But I have no idea if this July series is going on again this year. So once you get there, check out the Kennedy center. I got a flyer from there last year saying when/who each performance was. I know this isn't much information, but maybe a DC-er could tell you more. Koshka

How much does nationality play into this name-calling? Either the nationality of the speaker or of the one being spoken about?

How much does nationality play into this name-calling? Either the nationality of the speaker or of the one being spoken about?

I hope I'm not disclosing too much info , but his name is Drake Hathorn. Congrats to your daughter!!

Does anyone know when the competitors will be announced? All the website and newspapers say is during March. A friend of mine sent in a tape, and I'm quite anxious to hear if he got in....

Adding my two cents in here...I voted on the 0-10 times a year, but that is as much as possible down here (mississippi). Except there is the IBC this year...

Sorry for the confusions, I meant musical recordings. The tapes that my teacher was using for our variation work is quite worn. I think they were discussing what was available...More along the lines of what cds there are available to use. Does that help? I personally would like to get a video to watch before we start really diving into rehearsals. I'll be sure to check out amazon on that regard...but that is a different topic.

Does anyone know what versions there are of this full legnth ballet? The youth company that I perform in is doing this for its Spring performance. Yesterday in rehearsal I overheard my teacher and the director discussing if there were any other versions/recordings (?) available, than the one that we have. Thanks for any help or suggestions!

Thanks in advance to all who might have information regarding this question. Here's some background information.... Next August I am moving to Moscow, Russia (to enter MSU for year-long language study). I have been involved in ballet for many years, 4 of which I consider serious training (but with reality in mind, I don't think my talents extend to a professional career in classical ballet) with a wonderful ballet master. I have the problem, as do many late starters who "switched" over from sport into ballet, of understanding technique but not physically being able to do it with proper turn-out etc. So I am not to the age appropriate grade/level of Vaganova training. To the point of the matter, I wish to continue training in a somewhat serious fashion when I make my move to Moscow (meaning taking classes from a reputable/quality teacher, but not with a professional classical ballet career in mind). However, I have the impression of all Russian dnacers being involved at a school to the caliber of the Vaganova Academy/Bolshoi. Are there any private studios or places of open classes in Moscow? Are there any studios that offer alternative classes (jazz, modern, character, pointe) in addition to classical technique? Does anyone have any information at all to help? Anything would be appreciated. Thanks!

Henry Danton was once Henry Down....

Estelle-I'm sure you could find this much off the website, but my friend told me that they (like most of the world) had just started rehearsals for Nutcracker. I, too, would like to hear about their dance scene. Dance seems so much more personal once you know of someone who is involved...

Has anyone seen a performance of the Dutch National Ballet lately? A friend of mine was involved in a recent piece, somehow involving (as she phrased it) "fat people" dance. The dancers, I believe wore special costumes to distort their figures... Her description made it sound quite interesting and a fun piece. I was just hoping to hear a spectators point of view? Thanks, Koshka

I was wondering if anyone has read or heard of the book "Pas de Deux" by Nikolai Serebrennikov, edited by Marian Hososko? Its a textbook for technique in the vaganova method. I recieved the book this evening and it looks quite thorough and good; however I have only flipped through it because I just got home from class...

Annie, right now I mainly have shoes that I don't use (and probably won't ever use). I'm not sure if the leotards will fit you . The main thing I want to donate is a bag of good leotards that I have collected over time, from various people, that are child sized. I want to give them to someone or someplace that will appreciate them and will get full use out of them.

I've posted this in my age category, but have unfortunately not gotten any responses. I thought I might try to post this somewhere else, to a wider public.... The basic question at hand is does anyone know of a place or organization one can donate used ballet items? Often dancers decide that they don't like a pair of shoes, or they outgrow leotards, etc. Is there an organization or school that takes donations of these such items to help their dancers? I'm not trying to sound haughty;I just would personally like to see some of my old, but not worn, dance attire be put to good use. Often you can donate clothes out grown to the salvation army or some other charitable organization. I think it would be nice if there was a similar thing in the dance world. Thanks for any information anyone may have. koshka

I highly recommend Pointe. I have purchased/subscribed and avidly read every issue. The general audience of the magazine does seem to be for younger (yet, mature) readers, but in this aspect it does report some helpful and interesting information. Such as their columns on what's in "dancer's name" dance bag and fridge. In an art where knowledge is aquired through the generations and from personal experience, I find articles such of these helpful to those of us who do not have these "live resources" at our fingertips. There are also beautiful pictures and (what seems to be) unbaised articles on companies, schools, performances, etc.

I was wondering if anyone has ever heard of, or even better seen Henry Danton dance? Presently he is my teacher, but he was once a prominent dancer. He danced with Sadler Wells Ballet, Roland Petit's Ballet de Paris, and Australian National Ballet. He was also artistic director of Ballet Nacional de Venesuela. Lately I have been trying to research his past, but have not been very successful. He is a very modest man and shares some stories with his students--but I was hoping some ballet buffs out there could give me a glimpse into the past of a teacher I dearly treasure. Thanks to all. Katya