cubanmiamiboy

Jack, many thanks for your post! I must confess, as i was reading it, my mouth was watering just thinking about the Catoya/Sarabia performance. Now i know that i have to see them at the Kravis. I was hoping to see them in Broward, but again, i got caught in a middle of my never ending studying and couldn't go . I must proudly note that this is an essential to learn in the partnering demands of the cuban school. The male dancer, since they start PDD classes, is taught to be in fully guarding all the time at his ballerina demands, dance for her and look at her instead of the audience. I always remember Sarabita being specially carefull about this. Jose Manuel Carreno works like that too.... Again, thank you for taking the time to write your excelent and detailed review. It's very pleasant to feel the presence of a South Floridian in BT among the majority new yorker fellows. So,we had Miami and Broward already... Now, it's your turn, Bart!...

Viengsay Valdes, principal at Ballet Nacional de Cuba, started as a gymnast before getting into ballet...No wonder those never ending balances...!

Thanks for this information, Innopac. I'm looking forward to get the DVD. I'm sure some of us relate to this story, and it makes perfect sense to place it in Christmas time, when the past and the memories of your homeland hunts you more than ever.

Personally, i don't want to see a costume that pretends to look like an original peasant skirt. If we would stick to the real thing, they might as well present the tutus somehow dirty and ripped off...No, i like the "ilusion" of the ballet, and the cute game on presenting a "village girl" with an obviously unreal dolled up version of a costume. That's why my pick goes to the fluffy and over the top blue Bestmernova's lovely number for the Bolshoi old production with Lavrowsky. For the real thing...well, there's a lot of "reality" out there, and it's not glamorous nor pretty...Let's keep the game of the ilusion of the imperial days alive! Again, this is my own humble opinion...

As usual, Mel...

That's my boy.! Bravo Carlitos!!!

Wow, you never know when and how one will come across a forgotten name. She was one of the young promises of Ballet Nacional de Cuba more than 10 years ago, and suddenly dissapeared. Also, one of our many black dancers. (Specially remember her Godmother Fairy in BNC/ Strauss's "Cinderella") Anyways, back to Bejart...

Can't help but loving the reference...

That's ,indeed, a nice incision...

"Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome". by G.Umpierrez ,M Khajavi M and A Kitabchi . I just love those ol' fashioned bodice-rippers! One hopes epaulement has been cherished.

"Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome". by G.Umpierrez ,M Khajavi M and A Kitabchi . :smilie_ Translation ... please! (Am I correct to assume that this is NOT the text on which "Metastaeis and Pithoprakta" was based ??? ) ...it's just work related...basically about diabetes...

I so envy you, Jack...please, details. ..!!!Does he still display those magnificent "ronde de jambes"...?

"Diabetic ketoacidosis and hyperglycemic hyperosmolar nonketotic syndrome". by G.Umpierrez ,M Khajavi M and A Kitabchi .

Actually, when i finished writing my review on "Jewels", i almost made the mistake to post it on the thread that i had started on"Heads on" . . Then, i remembered that "Recent Performances" had been created for that matters, and opened a new topic there..but i agree that is easy to forget...

I ordered the book already...can't wait to get it... Here's an extract... http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol...icle2539937.ece

Here's an update on Carlos performance... Renowned Cuban ballet dancer Carlos Acosta is presenting his show "Carlos Acosta and Friends" with Cuban National Ballet members in London in late October. The show mixes classical dance techniques and choreographies with Afro-Cuban drum rhythms and live music. Acosta, a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet since 2003, is taking top dancers of Cuba's National Ballet to London for six performances of his program that promises to bring a distinct Cuban flavor and energy to the European city. While in Havana in August, the dancer rehearsed a program with seven members of the Cuban National Ballet that will be performed at London's Sadler's Wells Theatre. "Carlos Acosta and Friends" tells the contemporary story of a young woman, played by Yolanda Correa, who wears jeans and dark glasses as she reads a book of stories to her uninterested boyfriend -- Javier Torres. They quarrel and he leaves. The four classical pieces arise from stories she imagines in her book that include "El rio y el bosque," "Muñecos" and "Paso a tres" by Cuban choreographer Alberto Mendez. Acosta and Cuban National Ballet Company principal dancer Viengsay Valdes will also dance Acosta's favorite pas de deux: Petipa's "Le Corsaire." The program ends with an energetic samba played by its Cuban composer Aldo Lopez Gavilan and his band. http://www.radiohc.cu/ingles/cultura/notes.htm

Sad news..."From here..." was the center piece of an ongoing joke between somebody who i always remember dearly and i...He would tease me all the time about how kitsh i was for listing the famous beach scene as one of my all time favorites... It brings back a lot of memories... RIP, Deborah Kerr...

I'll be there too!!!... so we'll see..."The battle of Jewels: MCB vs. NYCB"

Hi bart!..The only thing that i'm just dying to see, and i guess it will have to wait until the II Program starts, is Sarabita paired with Catoya. Maybe for the upcoming "Jewels" performance at the Kravis ?. If he could make a full recovery of his knee problems and dance the way i remember he used to, i'll assure you a memorable night...Do you have any news on the casts?

...I have my hesitation on the supposed winning outcome of this strategy...

Ok, so this is my impression of the second night of "Jewels". First of all, i want to excuse myself to the Balanchine experts BT'rs for not being super knowledgable on the master's works. In Cuba my only contact with the Balanchine works was reduced to "Theme and Variations" and "Apollo" basically. "Jewels", for me, was the POB DVD which now, after seeing MCB doing the job, falls way behind. So, as soon as i got my program, i had a sense of frustration right away. This is the thing. I'd been anxiously looking forward to see the Mary Carmen Catoya/Rolando Sarabia duo casted in "Diamonds", as the big introduction of Sarabita with MCB, after a long time of struggles with knee problemss... and they were nowhere to be found in the whole performance, so i supposed that they had performed the night before at the opening, so i had missed them.. Big dissapointment. "Emeralds": The first thing that left me breathless when the courtains went up was the sets and costumes. They were over magnificent. There were also a bit distracting IMO. The thing is that I still can't help but be amazed and kind of overwhelmed at this side of the world's view of sets and costume design. I'm not used to the opulence of the western companies, and "Jewels" was absolutely an absolut full display of lavishness. My eyes were blinking with the shiny Karinska's tutus and huge tiaras, against the black and green sparkled backdrops. One thing...the loose jeweled waistline pieces of the tutus looked heavy, and were noisy during sautees and jetees. On the other side, i must confess that "Emeralds" has never been my favorite part of the ballet, and for some reason Faure's subtle Symbolist music really doesn't do it for me. (am i going to burn in hell for saying this...?) The dancers: Yang Zou and Patricia Delgado were choreographically precise, but for some reason didn't look to me quite confortable with one another. It's fair to note that ''Emeralds,'' with its focus on serenity and arm movements, is difficult to dance, but Zou and Delgado, despite this little missing chemistry, managed to caught its subtle nuances and the proper "walking" motor motive . Still, i would have prefer to see Jennifer Kronnemberg casted in the main ballerina role for what i've seen that she looks more "romantic" to me. Overall, I went through the whole piece just in a perpetual waiting for "Rubies", which i had seen before by MCB, and it's my all time favorite. "Rubies": Now, that was something. It was the highlight of the night. The dancers:The dancing reached the highest level of the evening and the Tricia Albertson/Jeremy Cox duo was everything i could expect. She was the perfect "little ballerina with the great personality" spinning off fast multiple pirouettes, stunningly incorporating them into images of flirt and seduction and Cox was exciting and energetic, keeping the dancing at high levels the whole time. Villela, as the original dancer casted for the role, must have been very proud of Cox's interpretation. and Albertson was probably as fierce in her speed and technical force as Patty Mc. Bride , enhancing with her sharp technique the ballerina's role playfulness and sparkle with dynamism. Cox and Albertson looked as they knew very well the inner esence of this middle piece, and they were really enjoying the dance and one another, teasing each other in a provocative and flirticious way. I also want to mention the beautiful Allynne Noelle as the "Pinup girl". She was all sensuality and joy on her poses and dancing, and held her acrobatic shapes and precise arabesques with steadiness and clarity . I must confess I started watching "Rubies" with some hesitation, because, again, i was expecting another cast (Jennifer Kronember/Renato Panteado, wich i love), but surprise, Albertson/Cox really made it up 150 % for me. Excelent job!!! Special congrats to Francisco Renno, for his excelent piano interpretation of the marvelous Stravinsky score. "Diamonds": Diamonds was the ultimate Grand Spectacle. The sets were astonishing. In between the lighting desing, the chandelier themed backdrops and the costumes, i wouldn't tell which was more sparkling, (a little too much, if i may...?) The "Pas de deux" was danced by Jennifer Kronenberg and Carlos Guerrra. The dancers:As i said earlier, i was kind of dissapointed of not seeing Mary Carmen Catoya and Rolando Sarabia casted here, so i must confess that i went through the whole piece in a permanent comparisson mood. Kronemberg made an elegant but cautious interpretation as the ballerina, partnered by a noble and careful Guerra. Perhaps they need more time to work in the role, but still didn't miss the ballet's essence. Overall, they met the technical standards and were nicely complemented. It's worth to note that they're married in real life, and i think their chemistry showed through their dancing. He was a tender partner, and she was delicate and secure. I liked it, and they received the biggest applause of the night. Special mention to the "Corps" . They were very well sincronized and i couldn't detect any major imperfections. Nice job. Somewhere along the BT forums, I've mentioned that i'm not very fond of abstract ballets, and "Jewels" is not the exception. I also admit that i have the tendency to be hyper critical , and usually get defensive if out of the XIX context. Still, i want to say that i really enjoyed the night. In general, all the standarts were met. "Emerals" was delicate, "Rubies" energetic and "Diamonds" imperial . The orchestra was particularly superb , and i highly recomend this miamian production to everyone.

I'm going tonight...!

I wish i could go, but i have a test tomorrow morning... I'll go tomorrow night. anybody else...?

If I want to see just a good actor,mostly not dancing,or too old to do it,I go to the cinema,not to the theatre;it's less expensive.... You got it then, boy...good luck