MILANoLTRE, Milan’s festival of contemporary dance, now in its 33rd edition, presented 24 works at Teatro Elfo Puccini this year, and 19 were by Italian companies. I saw three productions of outstandingly quality during the 17-day event, which also includes masterclasses, interviews, and lessons. Susanna Beltrami, who runs the company, academy and performance space, … [Read more...] about Three new works from MILANoLTRE Festival by Susanna Beltrami, Diego Tortelli and Richard Siegal
Merce Cunningham
The Royal Ballet and Dance Umbrella celebrate the legacy of Merce Cunningham
The Royal Ballet and Dance Umbrella celebrate the legacy of choreographer Merce Cunningham with heritage works, international dance companies and a world premiere by Pam Tanowitz Programme 1 - The Royal Ballet Thursday 10 – Friday 11 October, Linbury Theatre Cross Currents / Monotones II / Pam Tanowitz Programme 2 – Dance Umbrella: The Future Bursts In Thursday … [Read more...] about The Royal Ballet and Dance Umbrella celebrate the legacy of Merce Cunningham
The Trocks return to Milan’s Teatro Arcimboldi for Christmas
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, usually referred to as as The Trocks, return to Milan's Teatro Arcimboldi for two performances on December 26 and 27. Founded in 1974 by a group of ballet enthusiasts for the purpose of presenting a playful, entertaining view of traditional, classical ballet in parody form and en travesti, Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo first … [Read more...] about The Trocks return to Milan’s Teatro Arcimboldi for Christmas
Mikhail Baryshnikov on boycotts, ballet, ‘Black Swan’, Studio 54, ‘Sex and the City’, contemporary dance and being a sex symbol
As "In Paris" arrives in Tel Aviv for nine performances, Mikhail Baryshnikov talked to Elad Samorzik of Haaretz: On age and repertoire "Listen, I am 63 years-old. It depends what you're dancing. The piece we did with Anna Laguna we played ourselves, our age. We are not dancing 'Romeo and Juliet.' You know, pas de deux. Last year Mats Ek did a piece for me and Niklas Ek, … [Read more...] about Mikhail Baryshnikov on boycotts, ballet, ‘Black Swan’, Studio 54, ‘Sex and the City’, contemporary dance and being a sex symbol
Stephen Sondheim to receive the Handel Medallion from Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Stephen Sondheim is to receive New York City's highest honour for achievement in the arts. The award is given by the City of New York for contribution to the city's intellectual and cultural life. Previous recipients include Leonard Bernstein, John Lennon and choreographer Merce Cunningham. The Handel Medallion will be presented by Mayor Michael Bloomberg and actor Alec … [Read more...] about Stephen Sondheim to receive the Handel Medallion from Mayor Michael Bloomberg
Baryshnikov packs up his career up in boxes
Mikhail Baryshnikov has donated his personal archive to the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts. It contains letters as well as rare photographs and 650 video recordings, including footage of Baryshnikov rehearsing with the great George Balanchine and Merce Cunningham. In an interview with the New York Times, the dancer said the archive represented his whole … [Read more...] about Baryshnikov packs up his career up in boxes
When artistic disciplines collide, dance often takes a back seat.
Debra Craine in today's Times comments on the new collaboration between the National Gallery and the Royal Ballet: The idea of artists and choreographers collaborating isn’t new. Pablo Picasso worked with Léonide Massine and Robert Rauschenberg inspired Trisha Brown; Jasper Johns advised Merce Cunningham; Isamu Noguchi joined forces with Martha Graham; David Hockney designed … [Read more...] about When artistic disciplines collide, dance often takes a back seat.