Amy Reusch Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 I was hunting on the NYCB site to see what was planned for this year... there are often interesting lecture demos, etc... (there is still this on the website, but, given that the 21st is a Sunday this year, it must not be current: https://www.nycballet.com/Season-Tickets/Saturday-at-the-Ballet-with-George.aspx) They seem to be presenting an all Balanchine program on the 23rd, but there is no mention of lectures or demonstrations... Am I looking in the wrong place? Or was this all pulled together in the past by Peter Martins and with him away no one has picked up the slack? Link to comment
Helene Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 I would have thought that these types of programs would have to be arranged more than two months in advance. Link to comment
Amy Reusch Posted January 1, 2018 Author Share Posted January 1, 2018 (edited) Perhaps because the State Theater has been rented instead to Shen Yui for the 21st? I'm still surprised there is not more... The more I think about it, the more I imagine it would be the job of the director of Education who organized the events... Maybe I just haven't hunted through the website thoroughly enough? Did they not do one last year? (I'm afraid I was out of commission at the time and not checking ballet calendars) Edited January 1, 2018 by Amy Reusch Link to comment
vipa Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 As a subscriber I usually get advance notice of events like this and I haven't heard a word, so I assume there won't be anything. Link to comment
DanielBenton Posted January 1, 2018 Share Posted January 1, 2018 Typically they do programs on the Saturday closest to his birthday, but this year the season does not start until after his birthday, which is unusual. Link to comment
vipa Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 My feeling is that the marking of Balanchine's birthday has diminished year by year over the past few years. Link to comment
harpergroup Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 1. The company’s season doesn’t start until 1/23 (after Mr. B’s birthday, which was on 1/22). 2. The first Saturday in the season (1/27) has 2 all-Balanchine programs. 3. At 11 am on 1/27, there is a special program in the auditorium of NYST on Balanchine’s Apollo. The current description of the program (from NYCB’s website) is: “Join us as we explore the masterwork George Balanchine referred to as the “turning point” in his life: Apollo. Choreographed in 1928 for the Ballet Russes, Apollo is one of the oldest Balanchine ballets in NYCB’s repertory and the first major work created with his long-time collaborator Igor Stravinsky. See Apollo anew at this presentation hosted by Principal Dancer Adrian Danchig-Waring.” (Sidenote: it was originally going to be hosted by Peter Martins...) Tickets for the Apollo program may be bought at the NYST box office. Link to comment
Amy Reusch Posted January 2, 2018 Author Share Posted January 2, 2018 (edited) Thank you!! That is exactly what I was hunting for! And here is the link for anyone else interested: Tckets are $20, but complimentary to "NYCB Circle of Friends" https://www.nycballet.com/Educate/Public-Programs/Inside-NYCB.aspx Edited January 2, 2018 by Amy Reusch Link to comment
vipa Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 This is nice but it pales in comparison to the past markings of Mr. B's birthday. Link to comment
BalanchineFan Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 (edited) On 1/2/2018 at 10:34 PM, vipa said: This is nice but it pales in comparison to the past markings of Mr. B's birthday. Which past birthday events do you remember? Is there something you'd like them to do? I've been to at least three of the past Balanchine Birthday celebrations. Twice they did a lecture demo with SAB senior division students onstage. One year Peter called on Silas Farley to demonstrate a lot and it seemed clear Farley would make it into the company. They may have offered other events that I didn't attend on the same day (full family ballet classes come to mind). Another year they had most of the women principals dance and then speak about certain solos. The dancing was great, and I remember being charmed that they all mentioned their nerves at speaking onstage. Ashley Bouder danced Nutcracker Sara Mearns danced Symph in C Rebecca Krohn danced Elegy Tiler Peck danced Allegro B Megan Fairchild danced Tchai Pas Maria K danced Western Symph Sterling Hyltin danced Mozartiana I'm planning to attend the Apollo event. Whatever they do has to fit in with a two performance schedule, since it's always happened on a Saturday. Edited January 12, 2018 by BalanchineFan Link to comment
abatt Posted January 12, 2018 Share Posted January 12, 2018 They used to have these lecture demonstrations for the Balanchine birthday Saturday in the late afternoon, after the matinee but before the evening show. 11AM on a Saturday is just cruel. Also, the event used to be free, but now they are charging for it. When it was free, the tickets were gone almost immediately. There seem to be a good number of seats left at the moment. Link to comment
vipa Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 7 hours ago, BalanchineFan said: Which past birthday events do you remember? Is there something you'd like them to do? There was quite a fun one a number of years ago. Everything but the mat. & eve. performances were free. There was a movie about Balanchine, numerous panel discussions, Martins teaching the advanced students on stage. Even a vodka toast to Mr. B. It is true that the free tickets went fast. Link to comment
nanushka Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 (edited) Perhaps something low-key is for the best after all this year. I imagine a bigger celebration this month might feel a bit off for many in the company and audience, no matter what their feelings about recent developments. Edited January 13, 2018 by nanushka Link to comment
Drew Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 2 hours ago, nanushka said: Perhaps something low-key is for the best after all this year. I imagine a bigger celebration this month might feel a bit off for many in the company and audience, no matter what their feelings about recent developments. That’s so funny...I had just been thinking that if ever there were a year to have a full throttle Balanchine birthday celebration to reaffirm what this company is about, THIS is the year! But you may be being more psychologically astute. I just know that, more even than usual, I wish I could be at NYCB this month attending every single all Balanchine program and cheering extra loudly. Link to comment
nanushka Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 24 minutes ago, Drew said: That’s so funny...I had just been thinking that if ever there were a year to have a full throttle Balanchine birthday celebration to reaffirm what this company is about, THIS is the year! But you may be being more psychologically astute. I just know that, more even than usual, I wish I could be at NYCB this month attending every single all Balanchine program and cheering extra loudly. Yes, I definitely feel that too. I'll be at a few! Link to comment
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