Steve Reich Evening (Choreography by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker) BAM Howard Gilman Opera House, Brooklyn, N.Y. / October 22-25, 2008 All told, Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s “Steve Reich Evening” had the deep civility of work made for an audience expected to think as well as to look and to listen. Cynthia Loemij and Tale Dolven […]
S.F.’s Laid-Back Balanchine Is Pretty as a Picture
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on October 14, 2008. Tina LeBlanc takes part in the San Francisco Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s “Divertimento No. 15” at New York City Center in New York on Oct. 10, 2008. Performances by the San Francisco Ballet will continue in New York through […]
In the Flesh: Personal Indulgences No. 11
The old French saying is all too true: After a certain age, a woman must choose between her face and her figure. The added flesh that diabolically accretes to one’s middle with the passing years will keep the face attractively plumped out. Cut calories to preserve the figure and the face grows pinched and wrinkled. […]
Wheeldon Group Clowns With Stravinsky, Ruins Reich
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on October 3, 2008. Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company dancers take part in a performance of Christopher Wheeldon’s “Commedia” at the New York City Center in New York, Oct. 1, 2008. Photographer: Erin Baiano/Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company via Bloomberg News Oct. 3 (Bloomberg) — Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company […]
Bill T. Jones, in Giddy Mood, Unveils Comic `Pair’
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on October 2, 2008. Oct. 2 (Bloomberg) — Bill T. Jones, most often given to raving and ranting about the world’s downside, does a welcome, if ironic, about-face with “A Quarreling Pair,” featuring the gaiety, verve, and sometime vulgarity of vaudeville. Tracy Ann Johnson […]
Glowing Women, Manly Soldiers Mark Bargain `Fall for Dance’
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on September 19, 2008. Sept. 19 (Bloomberg) — The most rewarding number in Wednesday’s opening night of New York City Center’s annual Fall for Dance marathon came last: a dozen of the National Ballet of Canada’s men magnificently performing Jiri Kylian’s “Soldiers’ Mass.” The […]
All-Male Hula for $10, Tap Kick Off N.Y. Dance Season: Preview
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on September 16, 2008. Two San Francisco Ballet dancers perform during a routine. Photographer: Erik Tomasson/New York City Center via Bloomberg News Sept. 16 (Bloomberg) — Ten dollars for any seat in the house at New York City Center? That admission fee to the […]
Perfume: Personal Indulgences No. 10
No elegance is possible without perfume. — Gabrielle (“Coco”) Chanel When I arrive at my friend Renée’s house in Paris, she is knitting a small fleecy white garment. She embraces me, holds it up, and says, “It’s for your grandchild-to-be.” I’d written her that my first grand was on its way. “You will be a […]
Walking on Air
This essay describes the celebrated funambulist Philippe Petit’s “punishment” for his clandestine walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center on August 7, 1974. The essay was first published by Dance magazine in November, 1974. It is reprinted here as a complement to my latest article for Voice of Dance, Sky High, which […]
Cloddish Men, Feathery Lovers Dance to Hubbard’s Sly Rhythms
This article originally appeared in the Culture section of Bloomberg News on August 6, 2008. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago dancers take part in a performance of “Extremely Close” in Philadelphia on Oct. 20, 2007. The company will be performing at New York’s Joyce Theater through Aug. 16, 2008. Photographer: Rosalie O’Connor/Hubbard Street Dance Chicago via […]