Summer 2007 LAB Balanchine

Los Angeles Ballet's upcoming Spring and Summer 2007 programs present the classics of George Balanchine and August Bournonville. Their repertoires in 5/24-6/2 are Serenade, Apollo and Rubies.

Brodway "Cats" at the Cerritos Performing Theater

Tonight is a particularly special night of the year when the tribe of Jellicle CATS unite to celebrate who they are. They emerge from the darkened landscape into a larger-than-life junkyard, singing of their unique abilities and special qualities.
The cats are at first suspicious and proud, reluctant to allow an audience into their domain.

What I loved in "Cats" was the costumes and wild make-up which blended well cat's and human being elements together and express the characters of each cat. Every cat has individual personality such as a sensitive cat and a strong cat. Their move is very naturally flexible and easy, like a real cat. The spectacular, fantasy drama dragged me in to the cat's world as if I was one of cat people.

Chinese Acrobatic Ballet---Swan Lake

Unbelievable, remarkable and unforgettable Ballet was uniquely performed by Chinese Acrobatic Ballet. It looks like a performance in a circus but it is really a ballet performance. The breakthrough is that actors can perform more complex actions in the air, rather than confining themselves to the ground. For instance, the loveliness of the ballet will be more impressive when a group of monkeys performed by skilled actors jump forward through a steel cable. With the combination of the ballet classic and many unique acrobatic performances, the play won great applause from audience.

Perspectives / Modern dance @ Calstate LB

I went to the modern dance show, Prospectives by Panurgy Dance Project at Martha B. Knoebel Dance Theater in Cal State University Long Beach. It was performed by the local dance artists who pursue their talents in dance as well as other creative areas.

I hadn't seen a real modern dance before, so I was interested in this performance. I kind of realized the difference between Modern dance and Contemporary ballet. The movements in Modern dance are pretty free style and don't follow the basic ballet skills. Contemporary is based on ballet skills no matter how they make it look loose. Although all of the choreography of the pieces looked somewhat similar to me, the dancers' expressions were dramatic and beautiful. I expected to see more power in the choreography. I guess that I will stay with Classical ballet...

College application

When children get to high school, parents should begin to think about supporting their college application. If the kids already have a good attitude about working hard toward their own goals, we don't have to worry about them much, but if they do not (most of them even do not know what to do), we should help them prioritize what classes and tests they should take at first. That will help a lot. Here is a database full of hints about how students worked well and got their goals. PK

A History of Pointe Dancing

George Balanchine once said that if no pointe existed, he would not be a choreographer. Indeed, pointe shoes have been a very important part of dance history. The ability to rise on the tips of her toes gave a ballerina the ability to dance on a whole new level. With the appearance of pointe shoes, the female dancer's technique expanded, enabling her to create the illusion of incredible lightness and to project an increased sense of daring...Check more history at the site!

Dance Schools in the United States of America

This site is for the index of links to many of the schools and university departments that offer dance as a program in the US.

Some ballet dancers dream about joining Ballet companies.
Others want to do both ballet and other interests.
You might be able find the one which perfectly fits your lifestlye.

Catch a Rising Star

My DD and I went to the Spring Concerto Gala "Catch a Rising Star" of the Symphony Orchestra today. There were three French composers' pieces to be performed: Ralph Vaughan Williams, Paul Dukas and Maurice Ravel. The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Dukas is famous in the Walt Disney's casting of Mickey Mouse in the role of the apprentice in the film Fantasia. It was mix impressions of comical and gracefulness. I liked Pavane for a Dead Princess which was written in French and My DD could understand! Amazing! She's in her first year of French class! Anyway, I liked this piece which is composed by Ravel.

He was a one of the most successful French Impressionist composers at the beginning of the 20th Century. His style was distinctively his own, meticulous yet full of lush beauty, a brilliant combination of precision, balance and melting sensuality.

Ballerina Gallery

http://www.ballerinagallery.com/index.htm

This collection of ballerina photos is a tribute to all these great ballerinas. You can find your favorite ones from here. My favorite ballerina is Svetlana Zakharov. She has both great expression and high technique.

Svetlana Zakharova was born in Louzk (Ukraine), in 1979. She studied at Kiev Ballet School (ballet teacher Valeria Sulegina), and since 1995 at Vaganova Ballet Academy. Joined the Mariinsky Theatre in 1996. Promoted to Principal in 1997. She transferred to the Bolshoi Theatre in the summer 2003. http://www.ballerinagallery.com/zakharov.htm

Eifman Ballet/ The Seagull

I was thinking to go to The Seagull or not till very last minute and finally when I decided to go, the online ticket sales were closed.... I had to give my friends a ride to the place near the Orange County Performing Arts Center, so that I tried to be in the line of the rush ticket which starts one hour before the show. It was my first experience so I was excited being in the line.

When I got to the ticket window, the man said "show me your ID." I gave him my drivers license. He said "You are not a student. The rush tickets are for students and seniors only." I guess I was in the wrong line! Oh well, after all I bought a $25 ticket at Tier-1 in very back row.
Fortunately, I was prepared with binoculars so I could see very well and was totally happy to be there.

Eifman's choreography expresses the main hero's emotion with the corps behind him.
That's the amazingly unique stage structure. The story was unclear but the expression of the performers made it very satisfying. At the curtain call, Mr. Eifman got the biggest applause from the audience. There were many Russian guests who appear to be about Eifman's age (or older). I felt that Russian people were so happy to see the one of their countrymen having such success in the fine arts. PK