Category: DANCE

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José Limón Dance Company

Wow’ed by José Limón Dance Company at the Joyce Theater tonight.

There’s so much life in José Limón’s work.

On top of the full range of emotions expressed by the dances, the physical delivery is also mesmerizing. Contrasts between powerful percussions (full company stomping the floor) and subtle gestures (a flick of the wrist). Sudden shifts from dynamic motions to perfect stillness. Yet, in between these extremes, everything blends together into a beautiful story.

My favorites are the strength and tenderness found in “A Choreographic Offering”, the elegance and beauty in “Concerto Grosso”, and also Kate Weare’s contemporary work “Night Light” where everything flows so smoothly.

In the post-show conversation, Kristen Foote answered an audience question why she became a dancer: “Dance gives back. Dance is revelatory. The most rewarding part of surrendering herself to dance, is that she discovered herself.”

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Beginner Jazz with Heather Rigg

I made Heather Rigg‘s class video at Broadway Dance Center! 🙂

Last February, after taking Heather’s absolute beginner jazz workshop, I stopped by and watched her regular “beginner” jazz class. In New York City, “beginner” dance classes require 2 to 5 years of training. I was obviously at least 2 years short in experience. However, Heather greeted me with a big smile through the glass window and told me to just come in. I did and never looked back!

Love your classes, Heather! Thank you for being supportive and always encouraging us to live our lives!!!

Also, I am performing in Heather’s #slazz at the BDC Student Showcase on May 21st. Come to class and come see our show!

Choreography: Heather Rigg
Video/Editing: Waeli Wang

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Boléro

Throwback to my photography days. First time seeing and capturing Alexei Ratmansky’s work in 2010.

“Boléro”
Choreographer: Alexei Ratmansky
Dancers: Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company
Photographer: Jason Chuang

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Here/Now: Ratmansky & Peck

An onstage chat tonight with choreographers, Alexei Ratmansky and Justin Peck, about their creative process paired with excerpts from some of their favorite ballets, as part of the Here/Now Festival.

Am excited to see their work next week at New York City Ballet. Come join me at the ballet!

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New York Jazz Choreographer Project

Celebrating International Dance Day with a night out at the New York Jazz Choreographer Project.

Great job Ashley Stafford on your fun playful piece! I couldn’t take my eyes off you all Maya Wassermann, Monica Azpeitia, and Kim Senisi. Also enjoyed the wonderful piece by Sue Samuels and the Jazz Roots Dance Company.

Some new favorite choreographers and dancers…

Absolutely love “Who Is She”: a touching narrative and beautiful movements created by Kavin T. Grant and danced by Cory Nicole Hinton and Ke’Yana Robinson. “Man’s World”: an expressive and emotional solo choreographed by Rachel Leigh Dolan and danced by Hannah Jennens. “windows within our very flesh”: a contemporary take on jazz by Antuan Byers. Bookending the show were two dynamic group pieces, a fierce “Men’s Medley” by Billy Griffin and a sweet “The Cave” by Ali Koinoglou and Koin & Co Dancers.

Missed the show tonight? Catch the second performance tomorrow 4pm at Peridance Capezio Center!

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Here/Now Festival: Christopher Wheeldon

Had a wonderful time tonight at New York City Ballet Here/Now Festival featuring works by Christopher Wheeldon. Thrilled to see many of my favorite dancers on stage.

My favorite piece goes to American Rhapsody. Set to the music of George Gershwin, the choreography reminds me of An American in Paris: a love story filled with playful moments, cheerful music, and non-stop movements that make everything feel larger than life.

Unity Phelan was absolutely amazing in the lead role in American Rhapsody. Also loved her duets in Polyphonia especially the 9th piano piece. How is Unity only a soloist?????

Tiler Peck was incredible in Mercurial Manoeuvres with so much control, so much speed, and yet perfect stillness when the music demands it. So beautiful.

Finally saw Lauren Lovette in a lead role after two seasons with NYCB. Loved watching Maria Kowroski again. Bravos to Amar Ramasar and Russell Janzen as well.

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Ballet Hispánico: Why Dance Matters

History, progress, and why dance matters.

Dance is a reflection of our times. I’m lucky to see two amazing shows in two days, that mark the progress we’ve made in the past 70 years.

Yesterday, I saw a 1940s classic choreography, set in New York and forged at a time when the city needed an escape from the great war. In the dance, sailors on leave looked for beautiful women on the streets, catcalling them, grabbing them by the ass, and snatching their purse for fun. A smash hit in 1944, the work enlivened the city when its inhabitants needed it the most.

However, in between the gorgeous movements and comedic scenes, the story also reflected its own times when men had power, control, and are the only ones with a character and a voice on stage. Women looked pretty in their dresses.

Today, I went to see Ballet Hispánico one more time this season at the Joyce Theater, and re-watched their new work premiered earlier this week. The dance is a coming-of-age story about growing up Latina in Texas, created by a female choreographer, told by a female character, through the movements of a ballerina. The external struggles to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and be more American than the Americans. The internal struggles to beautiful, to be perfect. The character merged, at the end, strong and confident in her own identity.

Coincidentally, I sat next to a 12-year-old pre-professional dancer training at Alvin Ailey. She loved the show. More than just enjoying the performance, she now has an incredible story to guide her (she’s Latina) and a role model she can look up to.

And that’s why dance matters.

Dance has the power to entertain, communicate, connect, empower, and inspire people. Let’s keep dancing. Let’s keep telling the stories that need to be told. Let’s make a difference.

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All Robbins

At the ballet today with New York City Ballet featuring three creative choreographies by Jerome Robbins. Feeling inspired and looking forward to my classes with Dorit Koppel this week!

Saw the magic of Robbins’ first choreography, Fancy Free, that eventually went onto Broadway as On the Town. (Wish Tiler Peck danced more than just the passers-by role though.) Sterling Hyltin was gorgeous and lovely and funny in the comedy, The Concert. Finally, Moves, a ballet in silence, was full of beautiful, powerful, and (as Miss Dorit would call it) juicy movements. My favorite has to be the Pas de Deux in Moves, with 11 dancers constantly weaving in and out of the many duets happening at all once on stage.

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Ballet Hispánico

Girl Power and Strong Women! A stunning performance tonight by Ballet Hispánico featuring all female choreographers at the Joyce Theater.

Love the sensual yet explosive fusion of flamenco and ballet in “Línea Recta” by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa. Love the storytelling in “Con Brazos Abiertos” by a lead female character who has depths, is expressive and thoughtful, and who evolves and grows with the story. Thank you for the choreography, Michelle Manzanales. Wow! Just wow!

Plus, an educational post-show curtain chat.

Plus, taking Pinguino to his first show at the Joyce. Hello, Penguin Ballerina!