Members of the English National Ballet are teaming up with scientists to determine whether ballet can help Parkinson’s patients. A class of approximately 40 students will work with the famed ballet company over a period of nine weeks, learning various elements of classical ballet, including Nutcracker. Watch the video here.
Archive for the ‘Dance’ Category
Can Ballet Help Parkinson’s Patients?
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012NYCB’s Megan Fairchild Blossoms as an Artist
Tuesday, January 17th, 2012
Photo Credit: Ramsay de Give for The Wall Street Journal
“It was so overwhelming. It was the worst time in my life,” Ms. Fairchild, who is now 27, said recently. “It’s not just a happy thing. It’s a lot of responsibility.” Read the rest of Megan’s incredible story here.
En Pointe!
Friday, January 6th, 2012Three ballerinas from Australian Ballet talk about metarsals, metho baths and the meditative nature of sewing in this short film about pointe shoes. Perfect for budding ballerinas wearing their first pair of pointe shoes this year! Check it out!
EN POINTE! from The Apiary on Vimeo.
Our Deepest Sympathies to all of Ballet West…
Monday, December 12th, 2011
Mark Goldweber, ballet master for Ballet West and director of Ballet West II, died December 9th of cancer. He was 53 years old.
Goldweber always remained a dancer, even after he retired from the stage and began teaching, said Ballet West demi-soloist Beau Pearson. “He really gave himself to the art form more than anyone I’ve ever known.”
And he was a consummate teacher, whose corrections in class were more than just repetitive reminders. “They were something that would open up a whole new idea and change everything you were doing,” Pearson said.
Read the remainder of the story here.
Ring in the Holiday Season with Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancer Andrew Bartee as the Nutcracker in the fight scene from PNB's Stowell/Sendak Nutcracker. Photo © Angela Sterling
What puts me in the “holiday spirit”? Well, stuffing myself with turkey doesn’t do it. Neither does fighting my way through the crowds on Black Friday. No, what really puts me in the holiday mood is a trip to Seattle Center’s McCaw Hall to watch Pacific Northwest Ballet perform its lively Stowell/Sendak production of ‘Nutcracker’.
No matter how many times I’ve seen it, this perennial favorite never ceases to thrill, delight and amaze me. With sets designed by Maurice Sendak and elaborate props featuring a “growing” Christmas tree, a gigantic Mouse King with sinister tail encircling the stage, to a golden boat sailing along the ocean blue, it’s easy to see why Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker is ranked as one of the most beloved productions among its “nutty” peers.
Maria Chapman and Seth Orza shined in the starring roles of Clara and her handsome Nutcracker Prince. Their final pas de deux was the fuel of dreams – effortless lifts, dazzling smiles and spot-on technique. Together they brought this storybook fantasy adventure to life and carried it all the way through. I even detected a few weeping patrons at the end of Act 2, following Chapman’s tearful exit. (That’s when you know you’ve struck that golden chord of connection with your audience! Bravo!)
Lesley Rauch’s interpretation of the Peacock was everything one could hope for – sensuous and beguiling, with a whisper of sadness in her colorful wings. Is she a prisoner? Does she want to escape? Or is she secretly content with her golden confines? If you can make me feel all that, then as far as I’m concerned, you’ve embodied the role of Peacock!
Snow on stage! Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers in the Kent Stowell/Maurice Sendak Nutcracker. Photo © Angela Sterling
Gorgeous port de bras and swirling tutus made many a young girl gasp during the Waltz of the Flowers with Carrie Imler as “Flora”. What I love most about Imler is her innate sense of timing and control. She can go from lightening “quick-quick” turns into a deliberately slow “melt” on.a.dime! She’s amazing, folks. Truly amazing.
Whirling dervishes Jerome Tisserand, Kyle Davis and Ezra Thomson made the little boys in the audience sit up and pay attention. Their electrifying leaps, turns and jumps were perfectly executed and received a boisterous round of applause.
And speaking of children, it just wouldn’t be right NOT to mention the talent and dedication of the Pacific Northwest Ballet school students. Their roles ranged from adorable to breathtaking – from the sweet young Clara and her friendly party guests (with bouncy ringlets and big smiles for the girls and plenty of spirited hijinks from the boys), to the battling soldiers engaged in a fierce war with the creepy giant Mouse King, from the Chinese Tiger’s exotic attendants to the charming Toy Theatre dancers. I think it’s great to see the school students perform; they not only bring a fresh layer of excitement to the production, but they also inspire the youngest audience members in a way that polished adults cannot.
Awesome sets, gorgeous costumes, spirited dancing, whirling snowflakes and that famous musical score – I can’t think of a better way to ring in the holiday season!
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Nutcracker runs through December 27th. Great seats are still available! Visit PNB.org for more information.
‘A Very Young Dancer’ – All Grown Up
Friday, November 18th, 2011
“In the fall of 1976 “A Very Young Dancer” leaped into the imaginations of a generation of little girls. This children’s book by the photographer Jill Krementz chronicled the day-to-day life of a 10-year-old student from the School of American Ballet, following her to class and through her starring role as Marie in New York City Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” for which she was was handpicked by George Balanchine himself.
Fans of the book might have assumed that Stephanie went on to an adult ballet career as well. But like countless other young dancers in professional children’s schools, Stephanie saw her career end in adolescence, a time of rebellion and discovery. Most move on to other interests. But for Stephanie leaving the school was filled with shame and secrecy. Finding her new place in the world — after the attention that came with the book — was a long and painful journey littered with troubled relationships and financial struggles, with moments of deep darkness and depression…”
I don’t know about you, but I distinctly remember borrowing this book every week from my school’s library for years!) Read Stephanie’s brilliant interview and learn more about her life after ballet, here.
Sneak Peek: Joffrey – Mavericks of American Dance Movie
Thursday, November 17th, 2011Check out this awesome sneak peek of the new movie, Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance!
About the movie:
The first documentary to tell the full story behind the world renowned Joffrey Ballet. The intensity, the love, the joy, and the enthusiasm are coming to a screen near you. Joffrey: Mavericks of American Dance premieres in New York City January 27, 2012. Visit http://www.joffreymovie.com to find out about a screening in your area.
Breaking News: Vasiliev & Osipova leave Bolshoi
Monday, November 14th, 2011
People watch the opening ceremony of the Bolshoi Theatre on October 28 (AFP/File, Yuri Kadobnov)
This just in: Russia’s Bolshoi Theatre is stunned by the announcement that two of its most celebrated dancers are leaving…
“Ivan Vasiliev and Natalya Osipova, a real-life couple whose amazing technique and passionate performances have won a worldwide following, have both handed in their notice, Bolshoi spokeswoman Katerina Novikova told AFP.
In a decision that has rocked the ballet world, they are moving to the Mikhailovsky Theatre of Saint Petersburg, a well-regarded house that is nonetheless overshadowed in Russia’s second city by the world famous Mariinsky.
The departure of possibly the two greatest attractions in its entire company is a huge blow for the Bolshoi ballet just weeks after it re-opened its historic theatre after a painful closure of over half a decade.” Read all about their departure here.
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Love Stories – A Delicious Romantic Treat
Monday, November 7th, 2011
Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancers Lucien Postlewaite and Carrie Imler in the Black Swan pas de deux from Kent Stowell’s Swan Lake. Presented as part of LOVE STORIES, November 4-13, 2011. Photo © Angela Sterling
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Love Stories serves up a luscious 5-course feast of romance, seduction and passion!
Opening Night’s performance of Divertimento from Le Baiser de la Fée featured the talents of principal dancers, Kaori Nakamura and Jonathan Poretta in the headlining pas de deux. Nakamura is such an amazing dancer – delicate yet oh-so-strong; she looked like she was fully enjoying herself up there. Poretta of course, is just pure magic. (Seriously, if I could have my own life-size Poretta doll to wind up and watch him dance during random moments of levity, I would. Oh, and a Lucien Postlewaite replica, too. But I’m getting ahead of myself…) I was equally impressed by corps de ballet members, Jessika Anspach and Brittany Reid. Their performance provided the soul to Nakamura and Poretta’s “heart” and brought a sense of balance to this beautiful, lively piece.
Next up was the Black Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake. For this the stage was stripped down to a bare bones backdrop featuring a full silvery moon against a blue-black sky. Now, I have to be honest and admit that I felt a tad cheated by the lack of splendor associated with this scene – at first. But then, once principal dancers, Lucien Postlewaite and Carrie Imler entered the stage the message was clear: Who needs props and scenery when you’ve got these two dancing in front of you? And oh my goodness gracious, what a performance it was!!
Imler was cunning, sexy, fiery and captivating – the perfect evil temptress, Odile. (Dazzling fouette turns and fluttery swan arms? To die for!) Postlewaite leaped and turned with the agility and grace of a gazelle – light, powerful and commanding all at once. And his expressions – are you kidding me? Schoolboy sweet and head over heels for Imler’s charms – his Siegfried was brilliant!
I couldn’t tear my eyes away from their coy exchange and was eager to see how it would end, while hoping at the same time that perhaps – just perhaps – it wouldn’t…Ah! Such delicious torture! And as that final note echoed from the orchestra pit, the entire theatre exploded with a very boisterous, very appreciative standing ovation. Bravo and bellissima!
Pacific Northwest Ballet corps de ballet dancers Jerome Tisserand and Kylee Kitchens in Jerome Robbins’ Afternoon of a Faun. Presented as part of LOVE STORIES, November 4-13, 2011. Photo © Angela Sterling
Afternoon of a Faun offered a rare treat in the form of corps de ballet members, Kylee Kitchens and Jerome Tisserand. Sensually riveting (and sans shirt), Tisserand’s performance gave the female audience members something to smile about. I was especially impressed with the way he carried, swooped and scooped Kitchens across the stage (gorgeous!), while Kitchens managed to channel the likes of Darci Kistler, creating a character that not only had great hair, but an almost ethereal quality to her as well.
It was tough following Swan Lake, that’s for sure! But they managed to pull it off with superior aplomb.
During the balcony scene from Romeo et Juliette we saw the return of Lucien Postlewaite and Kaori Nakamura. Again these two gifted dancers brought the house down with their depiction of rapturous, all-consuming young love. Playful yet bold, teasing yet shy, Postlewaite’s “Mr. Touchy-Feely” is equally matched by Nakamura’s “Look But Don’t Touch – Okay, Perhaps Just a Little” Juliette. They gave an incredible performance, one that – again – I did not want to end.
The crowning moment of the evening, complete with resplendent sets, props and plenty of sparkle was Aurora’s Wedding from The Sleeping Beauty. In the spotlight were principal dancers, Lesley Rausch and Batkhurel Bold as Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund.
Rausch’s portrayal of the sixteen year old Princess was breathtaking and believable, while Bold’s Prince was the definition of debonair and confidence. Their series of fish dives across the stage were beautifully executed. I especially enjoyed marveling at Rausch’s sweet expression, incredible extensions and go-for-miles lines! She brings a decidedly fresh layer of charm to the stage that I hadn’t realized was lacking before now.
The Gold & Silver Pas de Trois featured Lindsi Dec, William Lin-Yee and Seth Orza. The men were every bit as superb as you would expect and in fact, I was especially pleased with how well corps de ballet member, Lin-Yee kept up with the likes of principal dancer, Orza who, let’s face it, reached god-like status long ago. If he felt any intimidation about dancing alongside Orza, he didn’t show it. Orza, of course, looked fantastic and made his variation look like child’s play.
Dec was joyful, delightful and effervescent as always. I love and appreciate how she makes every performance look like it’s her happiest moment on earth.
Pacific Northwest Ballet soloist Lindsi Dec in Aurora’s Wedding from Ronald Hynd’s The Sleeping Beauty. Presented as part of LOVE STORIES, November 4-13, 2011. Photo © Angela Sterling
Tied for best variation within this section goes to Puss in Boots & White Cat (Ezra Thompson, Sarah Ricard Orza) and The Bluebird and Princess Florine (Jerome Tisserand, Rachel Foster). First up – Puss in Boots & The White Cat. Corps de ballet member, Ezra Thompson and soloist, Sarah Ricard Orza really outdid themselves with this number! These two have more “character” in their little fingers than others have in their entire body. Ricard-Orza’s White Cat was all sass, “slapping” Thompson’s “Puss” on the hand – er, paw – whenever he got a little too frisky. In the end, no kitty can resist a choice little mouse which Puss happily presented to Her Royal Divaness, the White Cat.
As the Bluebird, Tisserand once again did not disappoint, while principal dancer, Rachel Foster’s Princess Florine was absolutely flawless. She seems to have the Midas Touch when it comes to execution, technique and inner fire; it all turns to gold, baby! Love it…
Love Stories runs through November 13th with excellent tickets still available! To learn more, please visit PNB.org.
Reviewed by Denise Opper
Alessandra Ferri & Sting Music Video
Thursday, November 3rd, 2011We are absolutely loving this video featuring the incomparable talents of Alessandra Ferri and Sting! (The dancing kicks in around 2:30 seconds.)
What do you think? 
