vipa

I saw Mearns at the Vall Dance Festival in August. She looked very fit and was wonderful in Symphony in C pas, Diamonds pas, and the opening section of Mozartiana. All done in the same performance, in the Vail high altitude. She was also striking in new choreography later that week. Barring any new issues, Mearns is on her game. Tiler Peck is a different situation than most dancers IMO. Her musicality, technique and artistry are so overwhelming that a slightly low arabesque isn't a big deal in most roles. Bouder's calling card has always been her speed and technique. IMO she was just beginning to develop in terms of artistic choices and musicality when she was out for her serious injury. It seems unlikely that she'll go back to her usual rep, which means developing in other areas. I don't envy management in casting her. It's a zero sum game. I heard Merrill Ashley, in an interview, say she asked for certain technically easier roles towards the end of her career, but was told other dancers had that rep already.

I too was surprised to see Chun Wai Chan's Insta comment about looking forward to dancing Emeralds with Bouder. Has she done Emeralds before? I remember her in Rubies. If Bouder is truly cast in this, I have to wonder if it's a comeback or a final performance.

If I recall it was a strange situation with Kotchetkova that I never understood. Rather than promote Lane they entered a contract with Kotchetkova, and she was a principal danccer with ABT and SanFrancisco Ballet at the same time. I guess the schedules worked out, but I never saw the point. Maria Kotchetkova was a solid dancer, but the times I saw her she didn't blow me away.

Doesn't look like we'll be seeing much of Cassandra Trenary. I always found her to be one of the more interesting dancers in the company.

On the topic of energizing sales - Whiteside, in a Conversations on Dance interview, said that he wasn't paired with Boylston in the Met season because management thought they were too comfortable as partners, and would grow as artists more by being paired with others. I have no strong opinion about Boylston and Whitside as partners, but if that reflects a management attitude it seems odd to me. If they have a pairing that has any charisma they should nurture an promote it.

Thanks abatt. Just to add advance registration is requested. There might not be great demand, but you can get free tickets in advance. https://www.nypl.org/events/programs/2023/09/07/works-process-presents-paul-kolnik-photographing-new-york-city-ballet

Nadon posted in instagram a bit of her rehearsal for Emeralds! That means she's a possible cast in any of the movements.

Just want to say the Miriam Miller was wonderful at Vail, particularly in Nutcracker pas. I agree she would be great in Diamonds or Emeralds, but I see her more in Diamonds. Interesting Mira Nadon seems to be learning Diamonds, she seemed such a good fit for tall girl Rubies.

That's so true abatt. I admit, I've grown used to playing chicken! I'm fortunate enough to live within walking distance of Lincoln Center and don't mind checking for 3rd ring tickets until the bitter end. I think its a real shame that they don't offer 3rd or 4th ring options for subscribers, but I assume they know what they're doing.

How fun, and what a wonderful memory to have. I wish I could see Divertimento Brillante again (the Balanchine/Glinka piece I saw in Vail) to see if any of it matched up to your description of Glinka pas de trois.

Thank you Cobweb, abatt and FPF for the info on Glinka pas de trois. The piece done at Vail, Divertimento Brillante, could be related in some way. I'm still very curious. One of my biggest takeaways from Vail was an increased admiration for Heather Watts. Her coaching obviously bears fruit, and her search for talent through all types of social media is wonderful. It would be easy to just invite principal dancers from well known companies, but she really looks for talent every which way. One example is Mayfield Myers, a corps dancer in the Philadelphia Ballet. Myers doesn't have a virtuoso technique, but she has a light, joyful, open way of moving that is totally engaging. Another example is Spencer Lenain. Heather found him on TikTok where he has a million followers, and is a dance influencer! His freedom, facility and imagination are a pleasure to watch. He performed a piece with Philip Duclos (Royal Danish Ballet) and KJ Takahashi, choreographed by Larry Keigwin, that showed off the strengths of all three dancers. Their comaradarie was obvious. I'll say again that I've become a big fan of Philip Duclos, an SAB grad who didn't get into NYCB and is in RDB. I'm so glad I got to see his fine technique, beautiful carriage and charming stage presence, and hope I will again. On to the NYCB season! I've been reading all the comments about ticket buying, and have to get on it.

I've been bit surprised at Vail, by how much I'm seeing of Robbie Fairchild (not a complaint). His ballet technique is not as refined as it once was, lines and positions are not as clean, but he is still an excellent dancer, with a natural movement quality, and an ability to bring drama to a piece without being overly dramatic. He even sang once to accompany the ballroom dance couple Drozdruk and Skobina. He and Lauren Lovette did a La Sonnambula excerpt 4 times (Balanchine night, Watching dance with Heather, and two different International evenings of dance). He and Devon Teuscher performed a Justin Peck piece called Furiant twice. It's an older Peck piece originally done on Fairchild and Teresa Reichlin to music by Dvorak. I enjoyed it and was happy to have seen it twice. It's much more straightforwardly romantic than Peck usually is. There is a moment that seems to be a homage to Duo Concertant, when the dancers stop for a moment to watch and listen to the musicians. It's a lilting, joyful, musical pas. Teuscher was radiant. Tiler Peck and Cory Sterns did an excerpt from The Leaves are Fading by Anthony Tudor, that really brought out the softness of Peck's port de bras, and the use of her shoulders and head. Speaking of Cory Sterns - he and Unity Phelan performed the pas de deux and variation from Chaconne. I didn't know he could move that fast and musically, and she danced bigger and bolder than I think I've ever seen. Tiler Peck and Roman Mejia did a piece by Balanchine called Divertimento Brillante, music by Glinka. I had never seen or heard of it before. A fun piece that showed off the dancers. Anyone know when it was choreographed and where it's been? I am randomly jumping from one program to the next as I remember pieces! There is so much dancing packed into each performance. We're heading back to NYC, and won't be able to stay for the NOW performance of all new pieces. A few of those pieces were previewed so I got a bit of it. I'm thinking about all that I've seen here, so I'll probably toss out some final thoughts tomorrow. It's been a great experience.

mom2 you are correct on both counts. Adji and Lil Buch danced Swan and will repeat it tonight. Last night Teuscher/Sterns did a piece by Tiler Peck called Silent Woods to music by Dvorak. Teuscher’s upper body and arms were beautifully fluid and expressive. She started alone onstage introspective perhaps yearning before Sterns swept her into a romantic pas. He leaves and she’s alone again. I thought the opening section the strongest. After that it seemed over-choreographed as if Peck had too many ideas. Of course that’s better than no ideas! R Fairchild/Lovette repeated the excerpt from LaSonnambula they did earlier in the week. It was stunning in this setting, after dark, outdoors. Lovette racing in out of the darkness, holding the lit candle and dressed in white was striking. She and Fairchild brought the drama to life. Lovette fell, at one point, but it didn’t break the spell and it seemed some audience members thought it was part of the choreography! And there was more! Each of there International Dance performances has 13 or 14 pieces. Two shows tonight

Just got back from a very full performance. Things that stick out in my mind. Boylston/Whiteside Spring Waters. They danced this Soviet style pas with joy and ease. The final 1 hand lift was splendid. Phelan/Calvin Royal Agon pas. They delivered a heightened and edgy sense of tension/contest that can sometimes get lost. Olivia Bell/Duclos/Mayfield Myers’s in La Ventana pas de trio Bournonville. I felt like I was seeing Bell for the first time. Beautiful, sustained lines, joyful presentation, clean quick feet. I look forward to following her in NYCB. I’ve become a big fan of Philip Duclos. An excerpt from a Cunningham piece CRWDSPCR. was interesting and witty with dancers connecting and separating in various ways. Stellar cast India Bradley/Patricia Delgado/Jobani Furlan/Miriam Miller/Whiteside. Adji Cissoko (LINES Ballet) & Ben Rudisin . White Swan pas, Ioved this. Cissoko is very tall and strong. As white swan she was very unmannered. She presented as a strong Swan Queen who, by the end of the pas, was ready to give herself to the prince. I often find this pas over-coached. This was refreshing. KJ Takahashi and Lil Buck had a fun street style dance off in sneakers! The program ended with Mejia & Hurlin doing Don Q pas. He did some spectacular jumps and she did some nice fouetté tricks (unfortunately they didn’t end too great.) I’m not familiar with Hurlin’s dancing but tonight she was more attitude than substance with short balances and missed turns. Maybe an off night. There are a few more things I want to share, so to be continued!

Have to write about a great event that took place in a Vail HS auditorium- Watching Dance with Heather. She introduced each dancer and spoke of how she found then. She found several on TicTok or Instagram. Savannah Green of Ballet X is her niece. Philip Duclos (Royal Danish Ballet) was the son of her veterinarian when he was a student at SAB! She sought out Ben Rudisin(National Ballet of Canada) because they needed a tall male dancer at the last minute. Others on the program were a NYCB connection- Miriam Miller, India Bradley, R Fairchild, Lauren Lovette,Olivia Bell, Gilbert Bolden III. Heather gave a short barre and then coached excerpts: Miller/Rudisin Nutcracker pas, Lovette/Fairchild Nut pas coda & Sonnambula, Bell/Duclos/Mayfield Myers(Philadelphia Ballet) in a Bournonville trio, Bradley/Duclos opening of 4 T’s, Green and Myers in Dewdrop, Gilbert Bolden in Stars & Stripes coda. Then Heather spoke of Bolden’s interest in working on pointe and she coached him in White Swan variation on pointe. We saw film footage of Damian Woetzel in Stars & Stripes, Heather and Damian in Nut pas, and Heather and Peter Martins in a work by Richard Tanner. Lovette and Fairchild then did that piece. I could have watched all day! India Bradley looks very ready to be a soloist, and, l’m happy to say, Lovette is as radiant as ever. Ben Rudisin partnered Miller beautifully, and he partnered Mearns beautifully the other night. I wonder if NYCB is watching.

Last night’s show was a real grab bag. Some highlights- OGUM with Music From the Sole, a Brazil group of musicians and tap dancers that are amazing. Olivia Bell and KJ Takahashi did Tarantella. They got through it step by step without adding much flavor or character. She had a youthful sweetness that was almost touching. It would be fun to see her do it with a partner who was more ready to play. Phelan and Calvin Royal were dreamlike in the Chaconne pas (dance of the blessed spirits). They connected and moved together beautifully. Peck and Chun Wei Chan breathtaking in Midsummer’s divertissement pas. The flow and musicality were magical. The setting of being framed by trees and mountains didn’t hurt. Lil Buck with his version of The Swan and Adji Cissoko doing a traditional version, crossing, mingling ending as one. There was more including another fine Ballet X performance .

LA Dance Project tonight. First piece by Tanowitz, second by Madeline Hollander. Both reminded me of the kind of experimentation modern dance choreographers did in maybe the 1980’s. They had a college dance department feel. The final piece Quartet for 5 was was much better. Movement was skillfully used to create drama. Bobby Jane Smith & Or Schraiber were the choreographers. It was the only work that really showed off the dancers IMO. I keep thinking about last night’s Balanchine event. At the end of the program Heather Watts asked that all the dancers who had ever done Western Symphony return to the stage. A bunch of them ran out and Damian Woetzel joined them, Cameron Grant played piano and they did the closing moments of Western. Great fun. Damian clearly still loves to dance!

Sorry I meant to say - Olivia Bell

Just want to add that young NYCB corps member did an excerpt from Tarantella. She looked very nervous and very promising!

Just got back from Balanchine event at Vail so excited. Low point Jennifer Homans reading excerpts from her book mostly descriptions of ballets. Not illuminating. High points: Mearns opening section of Mozartiana, Mearns/Ben Rudisin Symphony in C excerpt, Mearns/ Chun WeiChan Diamonds excerpt. Tiler Peck Dewdrop excerpt (coaches by Heather Watts), Theme and Variations excerpt, Fascinating Rhythm and a small section of Mozartiana partnered by Damian Woetzel! Also Peck/Mejia Rubies and Mejia in Prodigal. Then Loren Lovette/R Fairchild pas from La Sonnambula. Phelen/Calvin Royal in Agon and Apollo pas. There was more! I’m reminded how much I’ve missed Mearns. Can’t wait for the NYCB season.

Last night at Vail the Graham company was fabulous. My favorite of the night was a 1947 Graham work Errand Into the Maze. Graham’s idea of Ariadne and the Minotaur. The emotional content, construction and clarity are genius.The dancer, So Young An blew me away with her purity of movement and projection of inner strength. Next was Canticle for Innocent Comedians. A Graham work of which most of her choreography has been lost. It was reconceived with 8 choreographers, each doing a missing section.. Dancers looked great. I admit my mind wandered at times. Finally an explosive crowd pleaser, Cave. Tonight will be all Balanchine hosted by Heather Watts, Damian Woetzel and Jennifer Homans. Many dancers will be performing.I can’t wait!

After a plane delay and hitting heavy traffic in Denver my husband and I got to Vail in time to drop our bags in our Airbnb and hurry to the opening night show. What an amazing festive atmosphere. It opened with a fun and engaging rhythmic piece called Laying The Groundwork. I can’t go piece by piece - so many. Outstanding were the BalletX dancers who all move so beautifully. They did a Justin Peck piece. Mira Nadon and Chun Wei Chan did black swan pas and coda (no variations). Not a perfect performance, the altitude here is a challenge, but they showed that a stunning performance is in them! Peck and Mejia did Tsai pas pulling out all the stops. She did fouetté combinations I’ve never seen her do before. Adji Cissoko and Calvin Royal lll combined sculptural beauty and dynamism in an Alonzo King piece. There was more!! An embarrassment of riches. Tonight all Graham company.

Do you know if he's retiring from ballet or just leaving ABT. He was one of those dancers IMO who couldn't seize the opportunities he was given for whatever reasons., but he was/is a gifted dancer.

This is great. It shows the clarity with which the ballet tells the story, and how well the emotional content was delivered. I hope these first timers come back for more. Thanks for that report abatt.

The movies Oppenheimer and Barbie are getting a lot of press, and have become something of the odd couple of the day. I saw Oppenheimer and loved it. Intense, absorbing and thought provoking. Cillian Murphy is amazing as Oppenheimer and, IMO it's a movie best seen on the big screen. Well worth all three hours, and I don't say that about many things! I haven't seen the Barbie movie, and have no plan do. If anyone does please report.