cobweb Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 My partner and I are contemplating making the pilgrimage to Vail International Festival of Dance this summer... inspired by others' trips and glowing reports. But as I consider it, I have some questions, that I wonder if others who have been there can weigh in on. 1. Altitude. Neither my partner nor I has any experience at elevations like this. How likely is it that we will get there for an expensive vacation and find ourselves headachey and too sick to go out for days? 2. Lodgings. We are looking at a short-term rental. Besides Vail itself, what towns are nearby and close enough for a quick drive to the theatre? Is there anything in particular, for this event, that I should be looking for in an airbnb? 3. Tickets. I see they offer the all-lawn pass. Is it worth upgrading for some performances, such as the International Evenings of Dance? What is the view like from the lawn, especially when the performance starts when it's still light, before sundown? 4. Getting there. I hear the drive from Denver is both long and congested. How should I weigh the extra expense of making a flight connection and arriving at the smaller airport close to Vail (Eagle County)? 5. Anything else? Thanks all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maromeo Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 Just a couple tips from what I experienced. I flew to Vail and felt so nauseous from the landing that I preferred to drive back with some people I met there! The altitude felt fine to me but I was young and healthy. I remember seeing dancers using oxygen side stage when dancing hard parts though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
California Posted February 29 Share Posted February 29 (edited) Altitude: Denver is 5430 feet. Vail is 8239. Altitude is a real thing so be cautious, although it hits people differently. Drink lots of water. Easy on the alcohol. Take it easy. They sell individually sized oxygen at the airport that is worth the money if this is new to you. They keep oxygen tanks in the wings for the dancers. You won't fully acclimate in a few days. https://www.denver.org/listing/boost-oxygen-llc/35558/ Airport: The take-offs and landings at Denver airport are usually turbulent. Something about winds off the mountains to the west, plains to the east. Trust the pilots. They're good at this. But the Vail airport is one of the most dangerous in the country and you might want to avoid it. https://wakeupwyo.com/2-of-the-scariest-airports-in-world-are-in-colorado/ Ground transportation: Take the light-rail A line from Denver airport to Union Station in downtown Denver ($10). https://www.rtd-denver.com/routes-services/rail https://www.rtd-denver.com/routes-services/airport From Union Station, take the Bustang to Vail (West line $17). They have been upgrading the buses and routes to get people out of cars on the seriously jammed I-70 into the mountains. https://ridebustang.com/bus-lines-routes-maps/ https://ridebustang.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/CDOT-Bustang_StatewideRouteMap.pdf Edited February 29 by California Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobweb Posted February 29 Author Share Posted February 29 Very helpful comments, thanks @Maromeo and @California! I welcome any additional tips from others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Posted March 1 Share Posted March 1 (edited) I am migraine prone and have difficulties at altitude, which has kept my Vail fantasies in check. But maybe see if your doctors would 'pre' prescribe for you some headache meds suitable for migraine and also nausea. (Not opioids or anything addictive of that kind--but there are drugs that work better for Migraine and related Nausea than what's available without a prescription. Since I'm not a Doctor I don't want to list drug options for another person, but you could ask your doctor and likely s/he will have ideas.) I do hope you are able to go and have a great time! I have often thought about it. Edited March 1 by Drew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobweb Posted July 24 Author Share Posted July 24 As my partner and I pack for Vail, I could not be more excited!! Thanks to @vipa and husband for blazing the trail last year. If anyone has any updates on casting, & etc. (official only, of course!), please post. I'm praying that Sara Mearns shows up in good form. If anyone will be there and might like to meet up, PM me. Will post reports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 Looking forward to reading your thoughts. Have a wonderful time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipa Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 12 hours ago, cobweb said: As my partner and I pack for Vail, I could not be more excited!! Thanks to @vipa and husband for blazing the trail last year. If anyone has any updates on casting, & etc. (official only, of course!), please post. I'm praying that Sara Mearns shows up in good form. If anyone will be there and might like to meet up, PM me. Will post reports. Safe travels cobweb. Hope your flights are pleasant and on time! I too look forward to hearing your thoughts and impressions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abatt Posted July 24 Share Posted July 24 Mearns recently performed at an art installation with Jodi Melnick, but this performance did not involve pointe work. Enjoy Vail, cobweb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobweb Posted July 27 Author Share Posted July 27 (edited) A few comments on our first day in Vail. So far, my hopes are exceeded and I'm very excited about a fascinating week of dance and a beautiful mountain vacation. Thankfully travel went smoothly; after hearing a lot about frequent heavy traffic between the Denver airport and Vail I booked a pre-dawn flight and we made it to Vail early in the afternoon. Vail Village and the adjacent Lionshead Village are a new experience for me; I have never been skiing, never been at a mountain resort like this, or really never been in a purely-resort area at all, where everyone you see is on vacation (or on the job). The whole area is beautiful and so walkable. For the opening night performance, heavy rain set in shortly beforehand. My partner and I had bought the all-season "lawn pass," but being unsure when the rain would stop and not wanting to sit in wet grass, we sprang for last-minute tickets inside the pavilion and wound up way way on one side. The sense of festivity and excitement all around was wonderful, and once the rain stopped a double rainbow appeared, capping the the sense of a special occasion. On to the dancing. The program was a mishmash of various types of dancing. The opener, "Jam Session 2024," choreographed by the dancers just yesterday, kind of encapsulated that, with dancers from various traditions -- tap, ballroom, and more -- all doing their thing separately and blended. Capped by a magical musician, Youba Cissokho, playing something called the Kora -- an incredible sound, harplike and full of rippling precision. I hope we will see this gentleman perform again during the week. This dance piece was nothing great, but suited the occasion perfectly. Then we had the Jose Limon company, which I've never seen before, doing a suite from A Choreographic Offering. I loved this piece, tautly performed. Would definitely seek out Jose Limon Company in NYC again. Up next was When Love, an intriguing Philip Glass composition with dancers from Dance Theatre of Harlem. I don't ever need to see this piece again, but the dancers rose above it and I especially liked the noble, airy, expansive Micah Bullard. Then Sara Mearns debuted the Balanchine piece Elegie, which I've never seen before. An unusual Balanchine piece, which made great use of Sara's artistry, interior drama, and beautiful back bends. Raised the question in my partner's mind of the distinction between elegy and lamentation. His view is that Stravinsky meant it as an elegy, Sara performed it as a lamentation, and uncertain (since we've never seen it before) what Balanchine intended. Then Catherine Hurlin and Aran Bell in Le Corsaire Act 3 pdd, looking sharp and audience favorites, and doing their best to adapt to the smaller stage. Finally, after intermission as the sky darkened, Serenade with Isabella Boylston (Russian Girl), Unity Phelan (Dark Angel) and Lauren Lovette (Waltz Girl). I loved Unity in this role and it was great to see Lovette again. I haven't seen Boylston in years, and let's just say I will continue to avoid her as best I can. Chun Wai Chan and James Whiteside were the men, Chan looked especially majestic. The corps ladies from Colorado Ballet did an admirable job. So looking forward to a great week! Edited July 28 by cobweb mispelled name of musical instrument! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
California Posted July 27 Share Posted July 27 30 minutes ago, cobweb said: A few comments on our first day in Vail. . . . So looking forward to a great week! Glad you're enjoying Vail! Do take it easy with the altitude. Drink lots of water. Easy on the alcohol. When I'm returning to altitude from sea level, an aspirin before bed is usually enough to avoid waking up with a headache the next day. As you might know, they keep tanks of oxygen in the wings for the dancers. They sell individual sizes for the tourists. Sunscreen is a good idea, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vipa Posted July 28 Share Posted July 28 (edited) 8 hours ago, cobweb said: A few comments on our first day in Vail. So far, my hopes are exceeded and I'm very excited about a fascinating week of dance and a beautiful mountain vacation. Thankfully travel went smoothly; after hearing a lot about frequent heavy traffic between the Denver airport and Vail I booked a pre-dawn flight and we made it to Vail early in the afternoon. Vail Village and the adjacent Lionshead Village are a new experience for me; I have never been skiing, never been at a mountain resort like this, or really never been in a purely-resort area at all, where everyone you see is on vacation (or on the job). The whole area is beautiful and so walkable. So looking forward to a great week! So glad to hear your adventure started well, Cobweb. Thanks for the first hand report on opening night and I look forward to your coming reports. Just one comment on Isabella Boylston. I rarely see her dance, in fact the last time was last year in Vail. For some reason she doesn't seem to make much progress artistically. It's odd. She has such an ideal body for ballet IMO. Edited July 28 by vipa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
volcanohunter Posted July 28 Share Posted July 28 16 hours ago, cobweb said: So looking forward to a great week! I'm looking forward to more of your reports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobweb Posted July 29 Author Share Posted July 29 Just in from one of Vail Dance Festival's special offerings -- a program called Swerve with Damian Woetzel, covering numerous "swerves," or changes, in the history of dance -- points where dance took a different turn, whether that be Balanchine's Apollo, street and vernacular dance, Martha Graham, and more -- much, much more. This program was truly an embarrassment of riches. The program was hosted by Woetzel, introducing a series of dancers from every imaginable tradition -- ballet old (La Sylphide with a very sweet Olivia Bell and beautiful Philip Duclos), slightly newer (Le Corsaire), then on to Balanchine (Agon), a review of major points in the history of tap, changes in the forms of ballroom dance, Memphis jookin', KJ Takahashi doing some current street dance whose name escapes me but looked amazing, excerpts from Graham, Ailey, Limon, Tharp, Lauren Lovette looking lovely in the Rose Adagio, and Woetzel himself taking the stage with Harrison Coll and KJ Takahashi, as the "rhumba" sailor in Fancy Free. This is only a partial list of what was presented, in this two-and-a-half hour, no-intermission program. All along the way, Woetzel tied the various strands together, discussing how one form of dance evolved into another. There was discussion with the AD of Limon Company, artist-in-residence Jamar Roberts, and some of the dancers (Michelle Dorrance most notably), and Heather Watts did some coaching, The program ended with all of the dancers onstage, and the audience standing, as Woetzel and Watts coached the audience in the opening move of Serenade. A bunch of the dancers, not being ballet dancers at all, were evidently learning it at the same time, and it was fun to see Memphis jooker Ron Myles figuring out how to place his hand out and bring it down over his heart. This was an unforgettable program. Quick notes on last night's program, also a total winner, featuring Dance Theatre of Harlem. I am not familiar with these dancers at all, so it's hard to identify particular dancers, but several of the men looked truly beautiful, noble, and strong. The highlight for me was Keenan English, in a contemplative solo (in Nyman String Quartet No. 2) danced with real artistry. I would be eager to see him again. Overall, the dancers looked strong, cohesive, and beautifully committed. Thanks to @California for the suggestions about adjusting to the altitude. I am still feeling noticeably short of breath compared to normal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobweb Posted July 29 Author Share Posted July 29 I forgot to mention that Sara Mearns danced two Isadora Duncan solos last night. She then chatted with Damian Woetzel about doing non-ballet works and her artistic development. For those of us who noticed La Sara seemed to have lost some of the sparkle in her eyes in the spring and winter seasons, I'm glad to report that she seemed to be in great spirits and full of humor. Philip Duclos looked beautiful last night in the excerpt from La Sylphide. I hear he also made a great impression at Vail last year. I didn't realize he is from SAB. Wonder why NYCB didn't take him!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abatt Posted July 29 Share Posted July 29 Glad you are enjoying the performances. Mearns previously performed the I. Duncan solos with Paul Taylor Dance Company a few years ago. I really enjoyed those performances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
California Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Brief clips of opening night on YouTube: I hope Jaffe finds a way to use the Corsaire pas de deux with Hurlin and Bell next year! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobweb Posted July 30 Author Share Posted July 30 Just a few quick comments on tonight's program, "Myths by Legends." Program was Afternoon of a Faun with Aran Bell and Catherine Hurlin, Orfeo by Limon Company, Sara Mearns in Elegie again, Swan Lake Act 3 pdd with Boylston and Whiteside, and Joseph Gordon debuting in Apollo with Unity Phelan, India Bradley, and Mayfield Myers (from Philadelphia Ballet) Highlights were Bell and Hurlin in Afternoon of a Faun, to which they brought a rapt intensity; and Joseph Gordon's debut as Apollo. He was beautiful, and I hope he gets to do it at NYCB. (Side note: I believe Roman Mejia was originally scheduled to make this debut, but Gordon replaced him.) I'm also liking Unity a lot more than I have recently; she seems very fresh and very present. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABT Fan Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Thank you for all of your reports, cobweb. When I saw that brief clip of Bell/Hurlin rehearsing Faun, I thought that would have been a great addition to ABT’s fall season. I believe the last time they did it was with Hallberg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drew Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 I especially love the glimpse of Mearns in Elegie… Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiggin Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Thanks for the reports! Swerve/Duclos/Sylphide rehearsal: https://www.instagram.com/p/C9-0d6VyxFw/?hl=en Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
California Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 Joseph Gordon in Apollo in the second slide: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-De7v7gMP5/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abatt Posted July 30 Share Posted July 30 I would love to see Gordon in Apollo. Right now they have 3 Apollo's at NYCB, so there is probably no chance that Gordon will get the role at his home company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cobweb Posted July 31 Author Share Posted July 31 For me one of the most interesting things about Vail International Dance Festival has been that it exposes me to DANCE in various manifestations, and not just ballet. At home in NYC I tend to see only ballet, and only the same one or two companies, at that. Here, I'm seeing, and appreciating, a much wider variety of dance than I usually see. Even within ballet, I've seen pieces here by current choreographers that, were I to see it on the stage in NYC, I probably would not like very much, but here I'm more looking for the aspects to appreciate. It's a lot to take in, and I will try to catch up tomorrow (when we have a day off from performances) with comments on the various performances I've seen. We've enjoyed it so much, that my partner is wondering about what other festivals there might be out there that we would enjoy, in the US or Europe. I told him I would ask on BA. Could be dance, theatre, music, or any combo. Does anyone have recommendations for festivals that are travel-worthy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancemom Posted August 1 Share Posted August 1 You might enjoy the Edinburgh Dance Festival in Scotland, typically held every summer in August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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