Preparing for “Pina”? Watch Sprockets.
German filmmaker Wim Wenders’s sumptuous new film about the choreographer, Pina Bausch, is a wonder for the eyes — tucked though they are behind thick 3-D glasses. The film, “Pina,” opening in L.A. on 13 October, is marketed as a documentary. But aren’t ya ‘spozed to learn stuff from a documentary? Part of the film’s ...
Distinguished dance professional, Jodee Nimerichter, named as director of American Dance Festival
Jan
5
2012
It wasn’t a surprising announcement but a pleasant piece of news nonetheless to learn of strong recognition for a well qualified woman of the arts today. Jodee Nimerichter, long associated with the historic and esteemed American Dance Festival (ADF), was named as director of the 79-year-running summer dance festival. Nimerichter will be the first woman ...
Robert Johnson writes on demise of Merce Cunningham Dance Company
Jan
4
2012
“If the demise of a national treasure like the Merce Cunningham Dance Company is not sufficient to convince us we must rescue the arts from the hands of capricious millionaires and from the boom-and-bust cycles of legislative appropriations, then our civilization is lost. It is past time to stop accepting their miserly handouts gratefully, and ...
Micah Moch: one of 25 talented young dancers to watch in 2012
Jan
3
2012
Touring with Lula Washington Dance Theatre in China late last spring, I couldn’t see straight for all the great dancers in that company. But my favorite — by a significant smidgen — was Micah Moch. Born at Hollywood’s Queen of Angels Hospital in 1987, Moch’s now 24. He explained his unusual name as follows: “Moch ...
Twenty-twelve!
Jan
1
2012
The world is one-one-one-two today. That is 1/1/12! Happy birthday world. Like this? Read more: 0ne-one-one-one
Lula Washington’s “tutu raffia” bids 2011 adieu
A highlight of the blistering Kwanzaa show staged by Lula Washington Dance Theatre at the Nate Holden Theater this weekend was a sinewy solo by Haniyyah Tahirah bedecked in what the choreographer Lula Washington calls a “tutu raffia.” It’s a clever cultural mash-up combining Africa & classical ballet. The eternally creative Washington explained: “The look ...
Edward Villella … just because
Dec
31
2011
Because we love him, a marvelous photo of Edward Villella in the beautiful ballet digs he built for his company in Miami Beach. We wish him a Happy New Year. [photo is clickable] photo: Al Diaz/Miami Herald
Next up for Meryl Streep: Maggie T. takes cooking lessons 1
Dec
26
2011
We’re just back from the local multiplex. Yes, we double-dipped. We first watched a reenactment of an historical movie moment. An American actress, Michelle Williams, portrays a prior thespian, Marilyn Monroe, in her struggle to collaborate with Sir Laurence Olivier in the filming of “The Prince & the Showgirl.” Kenneth Branagh plays Sir Larry in ...
“I love you, ” says Groucho Marx
Dec
26
2011
Like this? Read more: Groucho Marx loves Lydia the Tattooed Lady.
Jack Cole invites you to a ball 4
From MGM’s “The Merry Widow” (1952) Jack Cole’s beautifully calibrated waltz sequence pours forth. Minutes and minutes of on-screen dancing. Audiences apparently used to like this; I guess they don’t anymore. Enjoy! Cole’s gigs at MGM were fewer then at Columbia or Fox (at MGM: Kismet twice: 1944, 1955, Les Girls 1957, Designing Woman 1957). ...