MJ dances 2
When Michael Jackson died in June 2009, I was attending a three-week symposium for dance critics run by the National Endowment for the Arts at Duke University — an honor. This so-called dance criticism “Institute,” staged annually at the American Dance Festival, was think-tank focused on dance as an art form — geared for specialists ...
A dancer’s shoes
Zaldy, the trendy costume designer for Michael Jackson’s aptly named “This is It” tour, speaks in the film’s DVD-extras about the custom loafers he created for the singer-dancer. The designer describes how he knocked off the cut and dimension of [hundreds of] loafers that [Jackson told Zaldy], “I can dance in.” Michael Jackson was ...
Genius. West Side Story.
Just in from seeing “West Side Story” projected on big screen — my first such viewing (big screen) since who knows when … or maybe ever. What a great movie. Robbins’s choreography is so stellar, so wicked, so spot-on and thrilling; it’s even scary — in “Cool.” The “America” number on the rooftop, beyond brilliant. ...
Natasha & her men 1
Nov
7
2011
Natalia Makarova, the divine, visiting Costa Mesa, California, from New York City, saunters backstage at “Kings of the Dance,” and announces “Well, I want to meet the Kings of the Dance.” The great exiled Russian ballerina faces off with five of the top guys in global ballet world. Marcelo Gomes immediately retorts “Well, you’re the ...
Natalia Makarova visits California 2
Nov
7
2011
The glorious prima ballerina, Natalia Makarova, middle, captured in a charming photo taken at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa, California, in October 2011. On her either side, Gaiane Danilian, of Ardani Artists, and Ivan Vasilev of the Bolshoi Ballet. The occasion was the latest chapter of “Kings of the Dance.” photo courtesy ardani ...
Academy to celebrate Vanessa Redgrave in London Nov 13
Nov
7
2011
This Sunday in London, Meryl Streep, Ralph Fiennes, Joely Richardson, James Earl Jones and Eileen Atkins will honor the magnificent British actress, Vanessa Redgrave, in the first-ever European tribute to an actor by the Los Angeles-based Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The evening is dedicated to celebrating Redgrave’s elegant and soulful dramatic range ...
Dancers we love …Tanaquil LeClercq 1
Nov
6
2011
Tanaquil LeClercq, American ballerina (1929 – 2000). Watching the “American Masters” docu on Jerome Robbins and learning of the close friendship and artistic relationship between Robbins and LeClercq … then finding this Irving Penn study of the New York City Ballet ballerina, who was a great natural beauty.
Back to school for Herb & Lani
Benefactors Herb and Lani Alpert joined education and community leaders on a nippy Friday morning in Santa Monica to celebrate completion of the steel framing for the Performing Arts and Leadership Center that forms the centerpiece of the innovative Herb Alpert Educational Village. [slideshow id=42] Herb and Lani Hall Alpert New Roads School students ...
Wim Wenders in-person at Aero Theatre retrospective
Nov
5
2011
Director Wim Wenders began his career as a member of the new German cinema movement of the 1970s; along with Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Werner Herzog, he brought German culture and film to an international audience. Throughout his career, Wenders has been interested in identity and landscape, coupled with a deep sense of observation and ...
Hollywood’s dance super-agent, Julie McDonald, to be honored 3
Julie McDonald, on the right, hanging out with a cool kitty, Toni Basil, and a cool cat, Kenny Ortega, both stellar clients of her body shop. That would be McDonald Selznick Associates, the premier talent representation agency for dancers and choreographers in television, commercials, music videos and film. Julie and her partner, Tony Selznick, created ...