The great Graham
Mar
20
2012
The highlight of a dance-filled week in New York was seeing the Martha Graham Dance Company perform all three sections of Graham’s powerful anti-war screed, “Chronicle,” made in 1936. Part II of “Chronicle,” the reconstituted group dance, “Steps in the Street,” has been in circulation for a few years. But it was my first look ...
A horse is a good clean animal, says Betty Grable 2
Check out Betty Grable in “Meet Me After the Show” (1951): Dancing in silhouette, on the platform: Jack Cole, who staged the number. Paired with Cole for a dance-y horse race is the choreographer’s muse and assistant Gwen Verdon. This we learn from the horse’s mouth … er… from Academy of Dance on Film founder ...
To New York for Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Susan Marshall
Mar
12
2012
You’ve heard of ‘Autumn in New York,’ correct? Well, what about ‘Spring Dance Season in New York’? We’re eastward-bound to check it out. Like this? Read more: Paul Taylor Moves to Lincoln Center (The Huffington Post) Michael Jackson visited Martha Graham studio
Taylor-made
Read our story about Paul Taylor Dance Company’s premiere season at Lincoln Center. Read it in The Huffington Post.
Ailey-ites embrace their inner meshuggenah in “Minus 16” 1
Mar
8
2012
I’ve seen Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin’s “Minus 16,” in its various bits and pieces, components and rehashes, on Batsheva Dance Company (his home base), Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, and most recently on a gang of Cal Arts dance students. But what a wild trip, tonight in Costa Mesa, watching Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater try ...
Ailey rep line-up for O.C. lacks work by female choreographer
Mar
4
2012
On tap during the upcoming seven-performance roster of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Orange County: a juicy line-up of works by primarily American choreographers — we really like that and we include Ohad Naharin as an honorary American since his early career had a strong presence in New York. It’s spot-on that Robert Battle, ...
Aureole Restaurant honors 50th anniversary of Paul Taylor’s “Aureole” 2
Mar
2
2012
A NYC restaurant bearing the same name as Paul Taylor’s much loved white ballet, set to the music of Handel, honors the work and its choreographer. Here’s their specially “Taylor-ed” menu. In Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Paul Taylor’s Masterpiece “Aureole” First Course FLUKE CRUDO QUINTET MANDARIN, GRAPEFRUIT, CHIVES, ORMARKET GREENS CHAOS BEETS, RADISHES, ...
Meet Misha and Michel, winners of the Vilcek Prize 2
Feb
29
2012
Wonderful news from the New York-based Vilcek Foundation, the non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of immigrant contributions to the American arts and sciences. The 2012 Vilcek Prizes in dance honor immigrant dance artists who have made significant contributions to the field in America. The Latvia-born Russian national, now a great American, Mikhail Baryshnikov, nabs ...
A masterpiece of dance on film: Jack Cole’s “Happy Ending”
The dance sequence below, choreographed by the great Jack Cole (he dances in it as well) closes Twentieth Century Fox’s “On the Riviera” (1951). Every element of “Happy Ending” rings true. Not a single step is wrong or jarring; on the contrary, all is balanced and golden and smart and right. It’s evidence of Cole’s ...
Earl Carroll’s beautiful construction site
[click on photo for detail] Label reads: Earl Carroll’s theater-restaurant is famed not only for its “most beautiful girls in the world” but, also, for its unique construction. During the show, leggy ladies of the line paraded onto a huge circular, revolving stage. This photo shows Earl Carroll and some of his aides and chorus ...