I am in Paris with my husband. I have convinced him that he wants to accompany me to one of the city's legendary flea markets. It is way, way out on the edge of town, a lengthy pilgrimage on the Métro, past stops with names like La Fourche (the fork, as in a road, which it is), Montparnasse-Bienvenüe, Gaîté, Plaisance. Eventually we arrive. I shop; he watches. After nearly two hours of this, even I--the indefatigable seeker after the old and unusual--get tired. We exit and collapse onto the low, narrow concrete ledge in which the hefty … [Read more...]
Damian Woetzel Leaps Into Future at City Ballet Love-In
June 20, 2008 by
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on June 20, 2008. Damian Woetzel dances in "Prodigal Son (Ballet in Three Scenes)" during his farewell performance with the New York City Ballet at the New York State Theatre at Lincoln Center in New York on June 18, 2008. Woetzel has danced with the NYCB to continual acclaim for 23 years, 19 of them as a principal. Photographer: Paul Kolnik/NYCB via Bloomberg News June 20 (Bloomberg) -- Damian Woetzel has danced with the New York City Ballet to continual acclaim … [Read more...]
N.Y. City Ballet Lost Ratmansky, Gains His `Concerto’: Dance
June 10, 2008 by
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on June 9, 2008. June 9 (Bloomberg) -- Alexei Ratmansky's ``Concerto DSCH,'' by far the most exciting new ballet I've seen in ages, had its world premiere last week in the New York City Ballet's spring season at Lincoln Center. At first it looks like a mere romp -- Jazz Age youth cavorting on the beach -- but almost immediately its unflaggingly deft and original construction becomes apparent. Taking its title from its score, Dimitri Shostakovich's Second Piano … [Read more...]
Tharp Goes to Hell, Back in `Rabbit and Rogue’: World Premiere
June 6, 2008 by
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on June 5, 2008. Ethan Stiefel, right, performs in the American Ballet Theatre production of Twyla Tharp's "Rabbit and Rogue" at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on June 2, 2008. Performances continue through July 12 at the opera house, part of Manhattan's Lincoln Center. Photographer: Rosalie O'Connor/ABT via Bloomberg News June 5 (Bloomberg) -- Ethan Stiefel, his Mr. Perfect technique softened since an operation for knee trouble, is the elder brother, all … [Read more...]
Youth Movement
June 5, 2008 by
2008 School of American Ballet Workshop Performances Peter Jay Sharp Theater / Lincoln Center, NYC / May 31 & June 2, 2008 Students of the School of American Ballet in Jock Soto's Interlude. Photo by Paul Kolnik. The performers of Jerome Robbins's "2 & 3 Part Inventions" moved with a graciousness, fluency, and technical prowess you'd hardly expect from aspirants of their tender age. They also have a more than nascent command of style and remarkable stage presence. I was especially taken by Lauren Lovette. She has the grave dignity of a … [Read more...]
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