A ‘hands-on’ choreographer, Helen Tamiris
Aug
16
2020
When I was a dance student, it was perfectly normal to be utterly terrified of certain instructors. But they didn’t often man-handle you. Two generations ago, however, this was not the case. A student of Jack Cole described him banging her head on the ground as she stretched on the floor in second position. Banging ...
More on Alton’s ‘Choreography’ from WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954) 2
Above, an interesting shot of Vera-Ellen‘s “cute” entry into the Danny Kaye-starring “Choreography” number from WHITE CHRISTMAS (1954). You don’t see the dancer’s full descent in the final film. You just see her legs. Nor in the black-and-white photo is it possible to imagine the fuchsia color Vera-Ellen is wearing — a color made possible ...
‘GET OUT’ becomes ‘Get Outside’ @ Cali-Covid drive-in movie
Aug
13
2020
It was a fabulous way to convene with others — well, at least our cars had a nice get together. But we too so enjoyed our evening in Paramount, California, at a special “plein air” screening of director/auteur Jordan Peele‘s ‘cultural’ horror picture, GET OUT (2017). The highly influential movie, projected on a super big ...
‘America’s Fright Factory!’ Epi 3: Jeffrey
WELCOME BACKto“AMERICA’S FRIGHT FACTORY!“ ANNOUNCER: And now it’s back to “AMERICA’S FRIGHT FACTORY!” [Canned applause and whistles as the camera pans across the set, where workers in Haz-mat suits are setting up the third TRIAL.] RIBEYE: And here’s our final contestant! Welcome to “America’s Fright Factory!”, Jeffrey! JEFFREY: It’s an honor to be on “America’s ...
‘America’s Fright Factory!’ Epi 2: Mrs. McGreevy
WELCOME BACKto“AMERICA’S FRIGHT FACTORY!” ANNOUNCER: And now it’s back to “AMERICA’S FRIGHT FACTORY!” [Canned applause and whistles as the camera pans across to empty space, and then down to where a gray-haired old woman sits in her wheelchair, her knees covered with a plaid wool blanket.] RIBEYE: Welcome to “America’s Fright Factory!” Mrs. McGreevy! McGREEVY: ...
Jazz composer/pianist Billy Childs brings new ‘Acceptance’ to musical life
There have been two hallmarks—standards if you will—that have been a part of every Billy Childs album. The first is the journey he’s traveled as a composer. He has always written and, to great acclaim: he has received five GRAMMY ® awards and 16 nominations—many for composition and arrangement. Presently in continual demand for symphonic ...
Gabrielle Chanel: friend, patron, artisan of dance 4
I was intrigued to receive a note concerning a new four-episode series from fashion house, CHANEL, entitled Gabrielle Chanel & the Arts. A new episode of the series, which spools on the CHANEL youtube channel, gives a whirlwind-but-witty overview of Gabrielle Chanel‘s personal and artistic connections with avant-garde ballet. At the turn of the 20th ...
Vail goes virtual
Alonzo King’s LINES Ballet and New York City Ballet perform Alonzo King’s The Personal Element. Photo by Christopher Duggan. This is the year of the virtual summer festival. Staying in front of your computer, you can have a virtual Tanglewood, Jacob’s Pillow, Aspen Music Festival experience – and many more. One yearns to experience each ...
‘Mea culpa,’ says Yuval Sharon of ‘The Industry’ 4
In an act of public self-berating right out of the Chinese Communist Party ‘Cultural Revolution’ playbook, Yuval Sharon, the wunderkind MacArthur ‘Genius’ Award-winning director of the Los Angeles on-site opera troupe, ‘The Industry,’ has shared a decision. After weeks of pondering the weighty issues of American racism and police brutality (as are we all), he ...
Use your ‘Baroque Bubble’ to protect from COVID
Jul
23
2020
Is wearing a mask and washing your hands all day getting you down? Then pick up some social distancing tips-and-tricks from the 18th Century — and protect yourself from a decidedly 21st Century disease, COVID-19. Selective use of crazy Baroque dance gestures will careen those hovering around you a distance of six feet! The “Baroque ...