Get stoned … go higher! See David Dorfman’s “Prophets of Funk”

Dance · Music
Dance maker David Dorfman throws down the gauntlet. And the gauntlet is this: Can he out-do, in his choreographed tribute to Sly & the Family Stone, what the great sixties interracial funk band achieves in a cold television studio? Check out this video: I wouldn’t miss it — if only because the cast includes Kyle ...

L.A. dance patron honored by NYC’s Joyce Theater Foundation

Dance · Music
We’re very proud of Liz Hirsch, the longtime supporter of dance in Los Angeles, who is being honored along with her mother, Mimi Levitt, by the Joyce Theater Foundation on April 11. Liz, a classy gadabout, always superbly dressed and full of fire, was a key supporter of the Joffrey Ballet when it was resident ...

TCM to broadcast “Fragments: Surviving Pieces of Lost Film” & “Unseen Cinema” 1

Dance · Film
arts·meme friend Jeff Masino alerts us that next Sunday evening, April 3, Turner Classic Movies (TCM), cable’s outstanding classic film channel has an unusually interesting broadcast line-up. It’s a long evening starting at 5 pm LA time, 8 pm in NYC,  so stock up on wine and cheese. Two “clips” programs of rarely seen early ...

Electric blue for Aszure Barton

Dance · Reviews
Barton stretched her torso, and stretched the lycra, too, of designer Fritz Masten’s smart electric-blue pantsuit. Named for the color, the choreographer admitted in a private conversation that blue’s her favorite. (more…) I enjoyed the Irvine Barclay Theater performances of this 35-year-old Canadian-born choreographer who has as a key patron Mikhail Baryshnikov. Read my Aszure ...

Gene Kelly’s television broadcasts @ Hammer Museum 1

Dance · Film
I’m looking forward to attending UCLA Film & Television Archive’s Gene Kelly event which comprises part of their  film preservation festival . Event is called,“Gene Kelly On Television.” OMNIBUS: ‘Dancing: A Man’s Game NBC, 12/21/1958 (1958) Directed by Gene Kelly and William A. Graham In writing, choreographing and directing this program for the prestigious Omnibus ...

The second time ’round, Liz and Dick kept it simple

Film
I’m starting late, but undaunted, I still aspire to catch up with Elizabeth Taylor in the marriage department (sans Fortensky). Here’s Liz’s list: • Nicky Hilton (1950-51) • Michael Wilding (1952-57) • Michael Todd (1957-58) • Eddie Fisher (1959-64) • Richard Burton (1964-74) • Richard Burton (1975-76) • John Warner (1976-82) • Larry Fortensky (1991-96) ...

Shades of blackness … in full blasts of great dancing

Dance · Reviews
A good kind of blackness ruled two dance concerts that demonstrated the huge range of vernacular dance arising from the African diaspora. Both were spiritual, moving, infectiously joyful, connective, and concerned with communicating with the audience — everything wonderful that dance can be. First came the Brazilians, the Balé Folclório de Bahia, the national folkloric ...

Happy 100th birthday, Tennessee Williams 1

Theater
Two terrific Tennessee Williams shows are on right now, and what a lovely way to gain exposure to our great southern playwright, born March 26, 1911, who would turn one hundred years old this Saturday had he not choked on the cap of his eyedrop squeezer in 1981. But that’s a story for another time. ...

Cinefamily mashes Rowlands, Cassavetes, Mingus

Film · Music
Closing evening of Cinefamily’s month-long Cassavetes retrospective features live appearances and performances — plus a screening of A Woman Under The Influence. The evening features: Film and video rarities of Cassavetes at work A panel discussion with Bo Harwood (Cassavetes film composer & sound engineer/editor), Richard Upper (art department on A Woman Under The Influence ...

Cynthia Gregory, Children’s Ballet Theatre, 1953 1

Dance
The great Gregory, blessed from birth with a cygnet neck and skinny legs, as captured by a master photog, Bob Willoughby. Click photos for detail. photo: thank you bob willoughby estate Like this? Read more: Gregory returns to West Coast