Category: DANCE

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More Tchaikovsky Spectacular

My second evening of Tchaikovsky Spectacular with American Ballet Theatre! Tonight’s program features eight principals and four soloists in excerpts from four ballets.

I was floored by Alexei Ratmansky’s “Souvenir d’un lieu cher” (Memory of a dear place). What a beautiful choreography. What an emotional story about the intertwined lives of two pairs of lovers. What a perfect cast to deliver the dance.

Stella Abrera is gorgeous in her turns and leaps, but was even more stunning playing her sentimental and slightly temperamental character whose past (Alban) crossed into her present (Marcelo). Likewise, Marcelo Gomes and Alban Lendorf are absolutely amazing technically, but delivered even more amazing theatre tonight. Sarah Lane was wonderful as the jovial and perhaps innocent girl opposite Stella.

The chemistry among the cast is incredible. My favorite moment is when Alban kissed Sarah. Stella reacted with a sense of shock, denial, sadness… before she dashed off stage. Marcelo stood by the wings of the theater… just watching Stella, loving her, but knowing there is nothing he could do. Wow!!! ❤️❤️❤️

My other favorite of the night is AfterEffect by ABT’s very own Marcelo Gomes. The piece starts with a rare ensemble of 13 male dancers. The scene is beautifully choreographed and generously showcases the men’s movements. I love the large formations, some numbering 24+ dancers. I also love how Marcelo uses the crowd to draw attention to the soloists. Highlights include Cassandra Trenary flying high from above to kiss Cory Stearns below amongst a sea of dancers. Congrats on the Met Opera House premier!!

Finally, love James Whiteside‘s explosiveness and Misty Copeland‘s musicality and playfulness in The Nutcracker’s Act II Pas de Deux.

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Star Spotting at the Met Opera

Star spotting tonight at the Met Opera!

The final week of American Ballet Theatre season is the Tchaikovsky Spectacular. Tonight’s program features excerpts from four ballets… or put differently, a chance to see six principals and five soloists on stage in a single night (and that’s just the top billed artists).

Two of my favorite stars, Gillian Murphy and James Whiteside, duetted in a fun Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux. As the tempo picked up, the aerials only got faster and higher, cultivating in Gillian leaping into two gorgeous fish dives and an overhead lift by James to end the piece. Bravos! Thank you for the treat!!! 🔥😍😘

Cassie Trenary was lovely as Princess Aurora in Aurora’s Wedding. Sadly, Herman Cornejo was injured and unable to perform as Prince Désiré.

Costuming for the wedding is absolutely stunning. Love Alexandra Basmagy‘s dress as the Queen (and her beautiful performance earlier in the night in Mozartiana alongside Catherine Hurlin). My favorite step of all times is the mazurka, and so naturally I adored ensemble of mazurka dancers.

We got a preview of the White Cat on instagram during intermission by Elina Miettinen, who came out as the purrrfect sassy kitten. Don’t mess with this one. Meow! 😻

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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?

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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!

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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.”