MommaJambe

Originally posted by Balletmom24/7

If you can't dance with your big toe in your ear while jumping thru a firey hoop forget it.

If my daughter could do that, she'd forget about a dance company and audition for Cirque du Soleil.

Originally posted by Alexandra

the pedants take over and iron every ounce of life and interest out of the classical vocabulary in the interests of perfection.  STRETCH IT, kick it higher, more turns, more more more more more.

This is one of the reasons my daughter [a 16 year old student] wants to quit ballet. She has lovely technique, musicality, and carriage, but feels that outside of class it doesn't matter. She admits her turns are average, and though her extension is pretty good, she feels it's not good enough and says that's all that artistic directors look for.

Like BW, this reply was inspired by watching something on TV: Raymond Briggs' "The Snowman". The music is by Howard Blake. And it would give us a break from the usual "Nutcracker" at this time of year.

Does anyone know the name of the piece of music by Enrique Granados used for "Remanso"? Thanks!

Originally posted by Dale

Diagnosis Murder

The Red's Shoes  

60 min.  

Amanda goes undercover as a dancer when a Chinese ballet star, who was about to defect to the U.S., is murdered by someone who poisoned his acupuncture needles. Amanda: Victoria Rowell. Steve: Barry Van Dyke. Mark: Dick Van Dyke.  

Watched this episode last night. Not much dancing, but I thought it was interesting when the character Amanda gave her dance history. It was based on Victoria Rowell's real life; she was a foster child and studied at ABT and SAB.

The company was the National Ballet of Canada dance Swan Lake. I was probably 6 or 7, and the only thing I really remember was going backstage afterwards. I met Veronica Tennant and thought she was scary in her stage makeup and all sweaty. I was a dumb little kid, eh?!

I admire Isaac Mizrahi for "pushing the envelope" with the tutus he designed for ABT's "Gong": short [small] and colorful. Though I have to admit that I didn't see the performance, so I can't say how well they worked with the choreography.

Thanks for your suggestions! We already have the Alonso one, and while it's interesting, we were looking for a version on stage. I thought the La Scala one sounded good, and my daughter loves Ferri, so I guess that's #1 so far. Though Malakhov with brown hair sounds intriquing. ;)

I've been reading reviews of "Giselle" videos at Amazon.com and now I'm totally confused. I'd appreciate any suggestions.