PNB presented one of classical ballet’s greatest tragedies, Giselle, on its February program this year. The ballet is a giant to mount, and PNB’s artistic director Peter Boal first staged it for the 2010-2011 season. Some 19th century French sources added to the authenticity of the production: a mid-century Parisian rehearsal score, a full notation…
Fiber-packed bread—coarse, home-milled flour
One sure way to have fiber-packed “real” bread (actually, fermented) is to make your own. I write about this in my book, FoodWISE, and share how I used to make (and freeze) 20 small loaves a week. I’m back to making bread, and this time with home-milled wheat berries grains (white and red wheats). I…
Shout out to ace-student and food writer Ian Lewis
Ace-student and food writer Ian Lewis has just published a story on Big Picture agroecology. You can find it here: https://www.theplanetmagazine.net/fall-22-sound/sounds-like-regrowth It addresses many of the questions in my book, FoodWISE—the same questions many of us have about how to choose the right foods for us and for the planet. Enjoy the read. Bravo, Ian….
Monastery cheeses: Trappist, Ale-washed
Branching out into monastery cheeses—with our sheep milk.* Besides the famous Bethlehem Cheese from the Abbey of Regina Laudis in Connecticut, there are a number of Trappist cheeses I am working on. this first experiment was a delight—aged with regular washings of ale, frequently turned, and resistant to the pesky cheese mites (so far). The…
Fighting for Ukraine with Classical Ballet
On the West Coast in fall, 2022, Pacific Northwest Ballet premiered a moving work by world renowned choreographer Alexei Ratmansky—Wartime Elegy. It is his first ballet since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Critics call it not so much a political ballet, as a tribute to perseverance over struggles and emotions. Reportedly, during the opening night…
THE SEASONS’ CANON filmed Nov 4, 2022
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s The Seasons’ Canon opens with Dwight Roden’s atmospheric Catching Feelings. With gorgeous lighting (Joey Walls) and costumes (Christine Darch), and cleverly cast dancers in shaded light, this is a breathtaking piece. Exciting strings (Bach/ Peter Grayson and Johan Ullén after J.S. Bach) and staging (with a choreographer assist from Clifford Williams)—offer a…
Pacific Northwest Ballet celebrates its 50th with Carmina Burana, and more
Pacific Northwest Ballet launched its 50th Anniversary Season with George Balanchine’s enduring Allegro Brillante, an Alexei Ratmansky world premiere, Wartime Elegy, and founding artistic director Kent Stowell’s Carmina Burana. One of the most memorable pairings of the evening was Angelica Generosa and new principal Jonathan Batista in Allegro Brillante. Daring and showy, both appear committed to…
The New York City Ballet at Saratoga Springs July 2022
The New York City Ballet, with its superb orchestra directed by Andrew Litton, returned to Saratoga Springs for a short week. Whereas declining arts audiences in Covid has been a concern, Saratoga Springs’ Performing Arts Center prevails, as does the New York City Ballet. The performances on Saturday, July 16 were nothing short of astounding….
Swan Lake—Pacific Northwest Ballet
April 15-24, McCaw Hall, Seattle The romantic ballet Swan Lake belongs to the ballerina—Lesley Rausch—and choreographer Kent Stowell. Rausch is in control not only of her positions and movements, her balance, her expressive arms, but also of the emotions behind each move. In the ballet, we see her elated, betrayed, avenged, desolate—Rausch is both supreme…
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Plot Points, March 18-27, 2022
I’ve seen Plot Points a number of times, I adore it. What’s not to like? A plot, mystery, performance almost cinematographic. Terrific dance. Drama. Melodrama. (More on this later.) But the PNB premiere of Robyn Mineko Williams’ gorgeous Before I Was proved to be breathtaking. Dancers Leah Terada and Christopher D’Ariano soar in this whimsical…