“Since its founding in 1978 …, Links has been a cornerstone of the city’s dance scene, often giving a home to experimental new works that pushed the envelope, both artistically and politically. Executive Director SK Kerastas said Thursday that the venue will continue with performances scheduled through June.” - WBEZ (Chicago)
“More than 100 dancers auditioned for just 21 spots on the New York Liberty’s cheerleading team, the Timeless Torches. Founded in 2005, less than a decade after the creation of the WNBA, the Timeless Torches are a co-ed dance group in which every member is at least 40 years old.” - Gothamist
“Iain Mackay, artistic director of the school, said studios were focusing on strength-based training for both sexes as ballet moved away from the ‘slim’ female fixture of the classical ballet repertoire. ‘Audiences want dancers they can relate to,’ Mackay said, when asked whether this included plus-sized ballerinas on main stages.” - The Times (UK)
“(A) task force … will convene monthly to eventually put forth recommendations ... The news comes after the dance company reached a settlement for over $560,000 with the National Labor Relations Board in December to compensate 10 fired dancers and three whose offers of employment were rescinded.” - KERA (Dallas)
Established in 2021, the company — also called the National Artistic Ensemble — works to collect and preserve the traditional dances of the many ethnic groups in the CAR, a nation wracked for years by civil war, instability and extreme poverty. - France 24
“At first, these outlets seemed good for dance. … They could expose dance to larger mainstream audiences. They could help democratize an industry infamous for subjectivity and selectivity. … (Yet these benefits) became less potent over time. ... And social media’s negative effects can hit dancers with particular force.” - The New York Times
“As a 10-year-old in Philadelphia, I experienced Dance Theatre of Harlem much in the same way that (today’s children) are experiencing it now. ... What I got from that was that Dance Theatre of Harlem met me where I was, and then took me to another place.” - Pointe Magazine
During 2023 and 2024, a troupe calling itself “Ballet of Ukraine” played dates in several cities in Sweden and Finland — but an investigation by Swedish television found that the group is registered in Russia and had its fees sent to a Russian-owned company in Switzerland, thus deceiving audiences and violating sanctions. - BroadwayWorld
“Dance has always been more fragile as an audience draw; we are so keenly aware of that and are always trying to build bridges to help audience members find ‘their stories’ in our performances.” - Wisconsin State Journal (Internet Archive)
It was the first starring performance at the theater for Maria Shuvalova, daughter of former official Igor Shuvalov, who now heads a Kremlin-backed bank. Several reviews were harsh, and the ones that weren’t may have been paid for; one critic says she was offered money for a favorable report. - The Times (UK)
"The response of these dance leaders reinforces my belief that the Trump administration’s move to suffocate diversity in the arts is ultimately doomed to fail. The voice of Americans of all races, genders and ability levels is a bell that cannot be un-rung and the arts are endlessly inventive, subversive and evolving." - New City Stage
Out of 213 classically-based companies examined, only 30% of artistic directors are women and 70% are men. Women comprise 32.3% of artistic directors at second companies and 46.2% of assistant or associate artistic directors. Nearly half (49.2) of company executive directors are female. - Dance Data Project
For three decades, starting in 1942, “Marian Chace helped shell-shocked soldiers, sexual abuse victims, and the mentally ill use movement to communicate their feelings. ... The former Denishawn dancer proved that dance isn’t just entertaining and beautiful; it could free the deepest parts of the soul and strengthen an entire person.” - Dance Teacher
