BW

Dani - thank you so much for posting! I wonder if it's too late to get in on these classes? What are the dates? Are they held one evening per week? etc.? Appreciate your taking the time to give such a nice, detailed response, too. :yes:

Just want to say that even though many others have not posted on this thread, it's obviously a well read one which is a very good thing. I, for one, appreciate the candor with which its the mom and eland have written. Thank you both. For those of us who are not in the minority, it's very easy to walk along through life not having a clue as to what hurdles people of "color" have to go through. Even with close friends who are in the "minority", we still can't really understand it - unless we've lived it. The good news is that the human race is changing and it's people such as yourselves (and its the moms' children!) who are contributing so much towards these positive changes.

Didn't realize it was only Act I. That said, I'm still looking forward to seeng this ballet company often this season. I'll bear what you've said in mind Leigh, though I'm sure my point of view will not be as well honed as yours. Any chance you'll be seeing any of Washington Ballet's season?

oberon you put it well: Oy vey! :rolleyes: :yawn: To each his (or her) own.

carbo, we were lucky enough to see part of this too last night - Wow! :yes: Would love to see it again, from the beginning. (Thanks for the particulars on where that fantastic studio space was, too.) Loved it!

For those who live in and around DC, you might want to take a look at TWB's upcoming special events. In particular there is a series of talks beginning January 12th called Ballet 101. I wonder who is conducting it? Sounds very good - just the thing so many of us would like to be able to attend. B)

Yes, that is the one - thank you so much BlackBirdBallerina.

atm711, don't believe everything a critic writes! :rolleyes: Seriously. I read The Hobbit and the Trilogy of The Rings many, many moons ago. Tolkien was an extremely deep thinker and very in tune with the world about him. I have not been keeping up with this thread, but believe you me - I am not, nor will I ever be a "war movie" buff. I also dislike gratuitous violence in films. If you don't want to just write off one of the best series of movies ever, do yourself a favor and watch the first one. Then, if you liked it, watch the second. If you get this far, you'll be bound and determined to make it to The Return of the King. Recently, I spoke to my brother-in-law, an avid reader though not a movie goer, and was shocked to hear he'd never read the books. His response was "I only read books or see movies about people." Oh that silly man! These books and, thus, the movies are very much indeed about people AKA human nature, good and evil and the choices one makes. To paraphrase Gandalf, the Good wizard and champion of Middle Earth, "it's not how long you have on this earth, but how you choose to spend it." Mel, if you have the exact quote, I'd be eternally greatful to have it. :yes: dancersteven and dirac - nice posts! Peace in 2004.

liebs, we haven't made it - yet...still hoping to get in there if possible. My first choice in dancers to see perform Dewdrop would be Alexandra Annsaneli. She has the lightness of being, in my mind's eye, that makes this role for me. Dale - I love your turn of the phrase and choice of words - you've given me a real understanding of how you felt watching these three dancers and I thank you!

As the year is drawing to a close, thought I'd update this thread a bit by combining Alexandra's list with a few additions we've picked up since then. Naturally there may well be other posters who haven't added to this list, but it's an ever growing list, I'm sure. Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Cyprus Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Israel Italy Japan Kazakhstan Netherlands New Zealand (Aotearoa) Poland Russian Federation Singapore South Africa Sweden United Kingdom Uruguay US Military And of course there are posters from certain countries, such as Lithuania, who are now living in the US and other places, too. :yes:

As the year is drawing to a close, thought I'd update this thread a bit by combining Alexandra's list with a few additions we've picked up since then. Naturally there may well be other posters who haven't added to this list, but it's ever growing, I'm sure. Australia Austria Belgium Brazil Canada Cyprus Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Israel Italy Japan Kazakhstan Netherlands New Zealand (Aotearoa) Poland Russian Federation Singapore South Africa Sweden United Kingdom Uruguay US Military And of course there are posters from certain countries, such as Lithuania, who are now living in the US and other places, too. :grinning:

Thanks Treefrog - I'll have to check it out. I do tend to get on single author kicks.

Helene - many thanks for your report. I know last year there was some discussion on this version of the Nutcracker and thanks to a good pal on the board, I now have a copy of PNB's version, albeit no the exact same one as you saw - nevertheless, I think it might be time to pull it out and plug it in.

Just read Bel Canto by Anne Patchett and loved it - truly. Have any of you read other books by Patchett and what did you think?

Hi dido - have you checked out that website Victoria suggested? It's quite helpful with the visuals - movie clips actually!

Mel, thank you. We are all plotting our time to see the movie. Just heard the tale end of a review on NPR and the reviewer said "Some may think the movie too long - others of us will say it was not long enough!" Or something to that effect as in he loved it! Sounds very strong.

Thanks for the laughs Ed and MYBkid! :rolleyes: :mondieu: Love that "Mrs. Bracelets"!

OK, Mel - you must have been quite the sight! :grinning: But syr, I feel your pain. I've had some revolting behavior sitting either next to me or behind me. :green: In the case of a non-professional performance I've tried to control myself and tell myself that if so and so's little brother wants to pull his chewing gum out of his mouth by about two feet and then stuff the wad back in over and over and his father who is sitting on the other side of him doesn't care - neither do I and I block my vision with the program! But if someone is kicking the back of my chair or talking right behind my ear - well, that's where I turn, and politely ask the mother or father if they could possibly put their offspring in handcuffs? :rolleyes: It drives me crazy, I admit.

Bad luck about this blizzard here. However, I'm sure there must be some native New Yorkers who attended that can tell us about the performances???

floss, it does appear in the US too. My daughter will point as a photo for a particular program and remark that she'd never want to attend if that is their "best". It's scary and particularly disturbing if it's an advertisement for a ballet school or college program.

Thanks Amy, I don't subscribe so I will be sure to buy a copy now!

Dale, thank you for another labor of love or if not "love" - certainly good will!

Wow! Thanks for all this detailed information, Dale.

Thank you Mel! Don't stop now that Thanksgiving is over!

sandik your point is a great one.When I first came upon Ballet Talk I read quite a bit by people who were enthralled by NYCB principal Wendy Whelan...and when I attended ballets that she was in at the NY State Theater, the audience seemed to go wild for her. I didn't get it. I was more taken by others and really did not appreciate Ms. Whelan's abilities as a dancer...but she grew on me after time and I've found myself quite amazed by her performances many a time since then. Who do you think changed on this one? That said, there will always be certain dancers who seem to win one's heart from the outset, but that's for another thread.