Gigi Berardi reads FoodWISE, on industry credibility and advertising, and the cost of convenience—and then talks about national ballet companies that are pivoting during the coronavirus pandemic. Bravo! For example, see: NYCB’s fall. San Francisco Ballet’s season begins January 19: SFB’s fall image: sfballet.org
Category: Finding Balance blog
Dance needs help
Google/Facebook search any of your favorite dance companies and you’ll get specific instructions on what to do to help keep the company financially solvent, as here: “Our ability to weather this crisis depends on cutting as much expense as we can while maintaining a bare-bones operation, as well as applying for relief funds and appealing…
Jesus Christ Superstar—Desert dancers and clever choreography
Recently, I found myself re-watching the 1973 film of Jesus Christ Superstar, and besides the power of the singing of Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Yvonne Elliman (and just about everybody else), I was struck by the compelling dance. The smart and skillful dance combines with Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera music and Tim Rice’s clever…
My dance writing to share, and a plea for support of dance everywhere, anywhere
My dance writing to share, and a plea for support of dance everywhere, anywhere My dance writing In recent weeks, I’ve written the following two pieces—one for Dance International and one for Dance Magazine, both on the inimitable Donald Byrd. Gigi writes on Donald Byrd and race and climate Gigi writes on Donald Byrd…
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Enchanting Cinderella
It’s hard to top Pacific Northwest Ballet’s production of Kent Stowell’s Cinderella (Jan 31-Feb 9, 2020) at Seattle’s McCaw Hall. The company premiered it almost 26 years ago—I was there then, and I can remember being impressed with both design and concept, as well as the mesmerizing Prokofiev music. This year, I was fortunate to…
Locally-sourced in Seattle
Pacific Northwest Baallet’s November program highlighted “local” Seattle talent in three impressive pieces—Eva Stone’s Foil (see my earlier blog on Eva Stone’s FOIL), Donald Byrd’s Love and Loss, and Miles Pertl’s Wash of Gray. Byrd’s piece was bold and purposeful. As reported here Byrd/PNB Blog, What drives the work that I do at Spectrum [Dance…
Bye-Bye Bolle
The June 2019 Dance Magazine noted the great Roberto Bolle’s “retirement.” And also here: Dancer retirements. His special farewell performance with American Ballet Theatre was June 17, 2019. But he continues to perform in and produce ballet spectacles in Italy—which I get to see each summer that I’m working there. In Italy, Roberto Bolle is literally a…
Pacific Northwest Ballet: Eva Stone’s FOIL—a genius of programming
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s November program was remarkable—and unforgettable—and I’ll be writing soon on separate pieces. But first, just one shout-out: Eva Stone for her masterful Foil and to artistic director Peter Boal for commissioning and programming it. Foil is perhaps best known for the Seattle-area dance festival she’s curated since 2008—CHOP SHOP. But this fall,…
Pacific Northwest Ballet corps: Who I’m watching
Cecilia Iliesiu. She danced briefly as a soloist with the Carolina Ballet before joining PNB in 2015. Since then, Iliesiu has danced as lead and featured performer in numerous PNB programs—and for good reason: she has a powerful stage presence, in part due to her huge extensions, coupled with reliably impressive balance. This was…
Pacific Northwest Ballet corps: Who I’m watching
Cecilia Iliesiu. She danced briefly as a soloist with the Carolina Ballet before joining PNB in 2015. Since then, Iliesiu has danced as lead and featured performer in numerous PNB programs—and for good reason: she has a powerful stage presence, in part due to her huge extensions, coupled with reliably impressive balance. This was especially…