Merce Cunningham’s “Winterbranch” by L.A. Dance Project 2

Dance
SEPT 29 2012 UPDATE: CONCERT REVIEWED ON THE HUFFINGTON POST HERE. A wonderful dark and gloomy photo of Merce Cunningham’s “Winterbranch” (1964) with early cast members Carolyn Brown and Gus Solomons, Jr. We’ll watch the re-staging of this High Cunningham classic this weekend courtesy of L.A. Dance Project, the newly launched repertory dance company sponsored ...

Fly away, String Theory, fly away …

Dance
The adventurous dance + music ensemble String Theory assembles its massive stringed harp instrument for a site specific performance piece at the Van Nuys Fly Away this coming weekend. Heidi Duckler’s troupe just performed at the mass transit hub as well.  String Theory’s work, “Compositions of Sound and Space,” promises to infuse the plaintive bus ...

Happy birthday, George Chakiris

Dance · Film
One of dance’s smoothest operators, a suave and velvety mover whose smoldering good looks propelled him to stardom — and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1962 — George Chakiris, born in Ohio, reared in California, celebrates a significant birthday today. Dance Magazine Editor Wendy Perron calls Chakiris “the sexiest dancer on film ...

Thank you, Turner Classic Movies, for “Choreography by Jack Cole” 1

Dance · Film
May I express my gratitude to the wonderful classic-movie channel for “Choreography by Jack Cole” broadcast Monday night? I co-hosted the program with TCM’s great veteran host, Robert Osborne. Together, we screened four movies studded with dance sequences that were created by the massively talented American choreographer. And a huge ‘thank you’ to Mr. Osborne, ...

Happy birthday to a champion of a dancer named Marge

Dance · Film
Hello New Yorkers! Looking for a way to turn a difficult anniversary into a positive occasion? A beautiful and worthy event will honor one of the Silver Screen’s great dancers and it also supports the Dance Films Association. It’s the DFA’s celebration of Marge Champion’s 93rd birthday with a Show Boat Cruise September 13, from ...

Robert Osborne asks: “Why did Jack Cole fade away?” 2

Dance · Film
A sample from “Choreography by Jack Cole” to be broadcast Monday September 10 (8 pm Eastern, 5pm Pacific) on Turner Classic Movies.

Dance Heritage Coalition unveils “Irreplaceable Dance Treasures” online

Dance
The Dance Heritage Coalition (DHC) has launched a tremendous new online exhibition, America’s Irreplaceable Dance Treasures: The First 100. Newly commissioned essays, bibliographies and research resources, and curated visual materials are included. Here’s but a brief sampling: Anna Schuman Halprin is one of the “founding mothers” of the American avant-garde in modern dance. Beginning with ...

Preview! Jack Cole honored on Turner Classic Movies September 10 4

Dance · Film
Read the story on the Turner Classic Movies website.

Keith Glassman & Dancers in the shadow of LAX

Dance
The West Los Angeles sky was grey, low-hanging, and pregnant with jets on airport take-offs and approaches. Into this weird netherworld Keith Glassman set loose a tribe of good movers in a ramp-and-rooftop dance exploration last Friday evening. The event was produced by former Merce Cunningham dancer Jim Self and “Pak” Trules. As airplanes trolled ...

Welcome to Los Angeles, Ido Tadmor

Dance
The renowned Israeli choreographer Ido Tadmor will visit Los Angeles next week for performances and workshops.