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dmdance

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  1. FunnyFace, I'll have to let you know about how "Confederacy of Dunces" goes for me. I've heard good and bad things about it.
  2. I know this is a little "after the fact," but I thought I would add my opinion anyway. I was deeply moved by "Life of Pi." I enjoyed the symbolism (although blatant) and all of the life questions it raised. It made me deeply uncomfortable more than once (and even angry, I suppose), but I was forced to think and feel. I appreciate that. I am a vegetarian for ethical reasons. I felt as though the author was humanizing the animals by the personalization of the violent animal scenes. I thought it was brilliant. I just finished "The Corrections." I found it hilarious and tragic and the same time. The author's verbally superfluous and indirect style served to make many of his points. On one level the book is an inictment of the American life style. Defining one's worth by occupation, house size, number of children, money, etc... is a path to unhappiness. The author makes no direct value judgements on these people. He only shows that in their effort to create all of the currently accepted trappings of success, a whole family of people finds itself each with his/her own miserable life. On another level, these very people make their way through some major life "corrections," and find at least some peace in their lives. I recommend it. I just reread "Cry The Beloved Country" by Alan Paton. It is one of my all time favorite books. Beautiful, ethical - without being polemic, and thought provoking. The story follows one man as he searches for his son in Johannesburg, South Africa during the height of Apartheid. I read it in school in 8th grade. Loved it then. Still love it. OK, I also just read the "Illiad" by Homer. I just hadn't read it, and felt like it was a good idea. I have to admit it wasn't bad. Long and full of confusing names. VIOLENT!!! I had to skim through the middle third of the book, but overall found it to be less difficult than I had anticipated. I am about to read "A Confederacy of Dunces" and "Mrs. Kimble." (A college friend of mine - Jeniffer Haigh - wrote it. Has anyone heard of it?) I am also in the middle of reading a non-fiction book called "When Religion Becomes Evil" by Charles Kimball. It deals with extremeism that leads to violence and other evils. I have a need to read more than one thing at a time unless I am reading something so magnetic that I cannot put it down. I am so glad that this forum is available on this board. I love to read. And it's so interesting to read others' opinions of books. Thank you.
  3. What an interesting issue. Or should I say issues? The quotation paired with your question, Alexandra, raises a number of thought provoking issues. Most immediately and directly, doesn't an artist have the right to be as unpopular as she chooses? In fact some artists intentionally create to offend or be obscure. I suppose where one draws the line in the sand depends on whether or not you care about who is standing on your side of the line and which beach you stand on. Didn't Nietsche give us all the right to make our own path? But that's the most obvious answer. Other questions are raised. Does an artist have any responsibility to her audience? Is that responsibility then simply to create product or does it go beyond that into communicating, clarifying, relating, enlightening, enraging, or somehow engaging others? If not, then popularity looses relevance. Perhaps a very unpopular visual artist who has found some poor old soul to sponsor her simply has one person on this planet who likes her work and chooses with open eyes to support her. Or perhaps she has connived to get her sponsorship. Very different stories to me. The whole thing begs the question, "What is the artists role in society?" I don't think you meant to go that deep, but there appears to me (in my truly humble opinion) to be a direct link. I am interested in what others have to say more than my own ramblings on. Deborah
  4. I need to voice an opinion about Billy Elliot being that the movie was already mentioned. I don't think that it ever meant to be about serious ballet training. It never pretended or tried to be that. It was about a boy and his joy in and passion for dance. It was also about a family struggling through arduous economical. personal, and political times. On those terms, I found it to be an excellent movie. Perhaps not every movie that has dancing in it needs to be filtered through our elitist "ballet" minds. Just a thought. I couldn't "keep my mouth shut."
  5. I need to voice an opinion about Billy Elliot being that the movie was already mentioned. I don't think that it ever meant to be about serious ballet training. It never pretended or tried to be that. It was about a boy and his joy in and passion for dance. It was also about a family struggling through arduous economical. personal, and political times. On those terms, I found it to be an excellent movie. Perhaps not every movie that has dancing in it needs to be filtered through our elitist "ballet" minds. Just a thought. I couldn't "keep my mouth shut."
  6. Truthfully, I am engaged simply by the effort of trying to breakdown/understand/appreciate the depth. And I am usually bored by the frivolity of a completely shallow work. Unless, of course, I am half asleep. That goes for all forms of artwork.
  7. Having been a red-headed stepchild myself, I must admit that I am hurt. Perhaps there is some connection, though, because being a red-headed stepchild left me feeling less than appreciated in much the same way that being a ballet dancer/teacher does. Do you think that people don't really like ballet or simply follow the masses in believing it must be boring? (Without ever having actually seen one performed) I live in a city that has had numerous failed atempts at having a professional ballet company, yet they all would give their left arm to get good tickets to the almost always sold out baseball and football games. How sad.
  8. I know that I am in the minority here, but I vote for Minkus. There are many wonderful qualities and pieces from all the composers; therefore, I found it to be a difficult decision. In the end, there is nothing of Minkus that I dislike, but I can think of a few moments of Prokofiev that hurt my ears a bit. Only a few, mind you. My vote extends only to ballet music and this poll. Overall, I believe the best composer was JS Bach. I can hardly wrap my mind around the idea that he was even human - his music so moves me. Every note is so unpredictable and yet so inevitable at the same time. I know that's a bit off topic, but I had to mention him.
  9. I know that I am in the minority here, but I vote for Minkus. There are many wonderful qualities and pieces from all the composers; therefore, I found it to be a difficult decision. In the end, there is nothing of Minkus that I dislike, but I can think of a few moments of Prokofiev that hurt my ears a bit. Only a few, mind you. My vote extends only to ballet music and this poll. Overall, I believe the best composer was JS Bach. I can hardly wrap my mind around the idea that he was even human - his music so moves me. Every note is so unpredictable and yet so inevitable at the same time. I know that's a bit off topic, but I had to mention him.
  10. dmdance

    Adrienne Canterna

    Doris, Adrienne is keeping herself busy by taking daily classes (ballet and college classes). She is also doing guest appearances and working on a few personal/professional projects. Ashley is training for Jackson and taking classes.
  11. I suppose that my opinion depends upon the context. Contortion-like extension does not bother me in a contemporary piece. Afterall, much of contemporary compostition is based on exploring new and varying motion in the body. Fine. Just don't include it in a classical ballet and/or don't call it ballet. So many ballets were created to show beauty and harmony. Ballet is about line and artistry, not athletic competition. Or so I thought. I realize that simply to acheive most classical lines requires a highly athletic body. But let us preserve those classical lines as the true artform that has been a tradition for hundreds of years. It seems I am rambling, but I get frustrated too as a teacher. Some of my most talented students, I fear, will be held back from the best opportunities because they do not give themselves a nosebleed with every grand battement. Lastly, is it possible that like many trends, this trend is cyclical? Could the pendulum swing back.
  12. I believe that Fokine choreographed this piece (The Dying Swan) for Pavlova at her request. She needed a short solo for a performance and asked him to do it. I could be wrong, but I think he choreographed it on her right in the studio in about 20 minutes. [ March 22, 2002, 01:01 AM: Message edited by: dmdance ]
  13. Mr. Witchel, thank you for correcting my mistake. I wasn't certain about that after having mispalced my program. I wish that you had seen it, I would love to be able to discuss it with someone who has seen it. [ March 09, 2002, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: dmdance ]
  14. Did Belarbi choreograph "Cassanova" for POB 2-3 years ago? I saw it while I was in Paris. Has anyone else seen it? I would love to hear any other comments. I was overwhelmed by his ability to so fully develop a theme of movement and intent. If anyone else has seen it, I would love to dicuss it.
  15. Alexandra, I haven't seen the LeBlanc sisters on stage for about 2 years unfortunately. But if I recall, they are similar in some technical ways - they both have that clean, strong CPYB foundation that I think is obvious. I think that Tina comes across in a more internal, almost serene manner. And I find her sister to be more about power and directness. Just what crosses my mind when I think of them.
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