Author: jason

Posted on

Cats

At the Jellicle Ball with the Jellicle Cats: Memory, happiness, and lots of fabulous dancing.

I’m quite certain I’ll be hearing “memory” in my head for the rest of week. Grizabella (Mamie Parris) sends shivers down my spine with her gorgeous voice.

Asparagus (Christopher Gurr) gives an amazing performance from his initially stuttering as an aged theatre cat, to reliving his former glory as East Lynne, Firefrorefiddle, and Growltiger. Wow!

Loooooove Jellylorum (Sarah Jane Shanks) for her heartfelt introduction of Asparagus. Her every gesture, every facial expression, every glance is filled with care and admiration for Gus. Sitting in the audience, we learn to respect Gus because of Jellylorum, before Gus even utters his first word. I can’t think of a better way to open the scene. Bravo!!!

Kudos to Sillabub (Jessica Cohen) for her moments of happiness, for her beautiful movements, and for her lovely voice in memory. You are my favorite cat of the night! ❤️❤️❤️

I also love the chemistry between Mungojerrie (Zachary Daniel Jones) and Rumpelteazer (Haley Fish). If I ever get robbed by a cat, I hope I am robbed by you. At least I’ll be well entertained.

Best dancers go to Mister Mistoffelees (Corey John Snide) and Victoria (Claire Rathbun), though every cat is dazzling tonight. This is such a musical for dancers. Great job, everyone! 😍

Posted on

Galop at Rocca Albornoziana

Throwback to my galop days!

Performing the Triplet Galop Quadrille at Rocca Albornoziana in Spoleto, Italy. I had a lovely evening dancing, dining, and then dancing more at this magnificent 14th century castle until the wee hours.

This quadrille is reconstructed and choreographed by Richard Powers to reflect the original galop as danced in London in the 1850s.

The Prague Vintage Dance Week started this weekend, and I sadly have to miss the event this year. Here’s to an amazing week of dancing and many wonderful balls for everyone in Prague.

“Triplet Galop Quadrille”
Choreographer: Richard Powers
Dancers: Alums of the Stanford Vintage Dance Ensemble, Academy of Danse Libre, and Roma 800
Video: Jason Anderson

Full video on YouTube

Posted on

Bryant Park Ballet Festival

The Bryant Park Ballet Festival continues tomorrow (Friday 6pm) with the Ashley Bouder Project, Continuum Contemporary/Ballet, Doug Baum and Artists, Island Moving Company, and Thomas/Ortiz Dance.

Summer in New York City means outdoor dancing everywhere. Go enjoy some incredible dance performances! Here is a throwback to watching Thomas/Ortiz Dance last year. Love their beautiful lines and gorgeous costumes. I can’t wait to be back in town!

“Undamely”
Choreographers: Ted Thomas and Frances Ortiz
Dancers: Thomas/Ortiz Dance
Photographer: Jason Chuang

Posted on

Dearest Home

Catch “Dearest Home” by Abraham.In.Motion this week at the Kitchen! Merde Connie Shiau.

New York Times describes the piece as Kyle Abraham’s most personal work to date reflecting on love, longing, and loss. Sounds incredible! I’m still traveling and so sadly will miss the entire run through July 2. Hope some of you can make it. Let me know how it goes!

Posted on

Russian Mazurka Quadrilles

Throwback to my mazurka days!

Performing the Russian Mazurka Quadrilles with the Academy of Danse Libre.

The mazurka (or mazur) is a fast, strong, and spirited dance that originated in Poland. The “mazur” was brought to Germany and Russia, and introduced to England in the 1820s under its Russian name “mazurka,” before it swept across western Europe and America alongside the 1844 Polkamania.

The high-energy mazurka was the ultimate challenge in the 19th century ballroom, and often danced by the strongest dancers at the break of dawn after all-night balls to show they weren’t tired.

The Saint Petersburg Vintage Dance Week started this past weekend. I had to miss the event due to work. Here’s to an amazing White Ball for everyone attending the event.

“Russian Mazurka Quadrilles”
Choreographer: Richard Powers
Dancers: The Academy of Danse Libre
Video: John Beale

More about the mazurka

Full video on YouTube

Posted on

Young Choreographer’s Festival

Young Choreographer’s Festival is taking place tomorrow (Friday 8pm) at Symphony Space!!! Get your tickets!

Let yourself experience the amazing talents of this city’s up-and-coming young choreographers. Last year’s program was incredible! 😍

More than just a one-evening show, Emily Bufferd who founded YCF has a wonderful vision to educate, foster, and cultivate a new generation of choreographers and dancers. 🤗

Your support goes toward more than just rehearsal and performance space. You’ll help YCF provide mentorship to the young choreographers, create opportunities for them to enter prestigious dance festivals, and kick start their careers.

Did I mention the show was incredible last year?

Posted on

Flying Days

Just flew for 34 hours with my adorable penguins. Work conference till the end of June. I’m bummed to miss at least six dance performances that I had wanted to see, but will try to write more about the events if I have time.

Posted on

The Art of Isadora

Congratulations to Isadora Duncan Dance Company for a wonderful performance and a sold-out house at the Joyce Theater tonight.

Two years ago, when I first arrived in New York City, I received my very first dance class from former Duncan Dance company member Morgana Mellett. I loved the naturalness of the Duncan movements, the connection to the body, and the music. Morgana encouraged me to sign up for their week-long summer workshop, which I did and then repeated again for a second week.

Looking back, I couldn’t have wished for a better start to my dance experience in New York City. Duncan merged so many of my favorite dance elements. Vintage steps such as the mazurka, the gallop, and the polka. The influence of ballet. The emphasis on natural movements and expressiveness, which I enjoy so much in contemporary lyrical.

Seeing Duncan Dance on stage tonight at the Joyce Theater, in a way, is completing the circle for me. To see where it all began. To understand how I fell in love. To re-live the wonderful experiences that inspired me then… and still captivate me now.

Emily D’Angelo: I’ve seen you beautifully dance Greeting, Lullabye, and Flames of the Heart before, but you were more loving and more fierce tonight than ever. Bravos!

Nikki Poulos: You’ve grown so much! Love the way you opened the Furies.

Faith Kimberling: Love your musicality!

Hayley Brasher: I’ve mostly heard about you from others, except for the brief moment seeing you outside the theater tonight. Love your energy and radiance. Great job!

Of course, guest star Sara Mearns of NYCB Ballet is absolutely beautiful, and Lori Belilove as always, is full of the true Duncan spirit. Thank you for the incredible show and a wonderful evening!

Posted on

Children of Syria

Dancing for a cause at the Next Stage Project Showcase.

Many forms of movements tonight. The most striking, I thought, in its simplicity but also beauty, was the silent solo “Memory Current” danced by Miki Orihara and choreographed by Adam Barruch.

I like a couple pieces that took on a more literal interpretations of tonight’s theme. “Yes is here, no is also here” by Alexandra Beller is poetry-like, blending together spoken words, recorded audio, and movement, and challenges us to think about the current political state.

“You may say I’m a Dreamer” by Justin Yoon Sang Jo delivers a simple statement about peace through sign language, upbeat music (“Imagine” by John Lennon), and some fun movements.

Also, lovely dancing from the Hutchinson Collaborative and Lauren Wolter in “Days of the Open Hand.”