All World Dance: News for Lovers of Dance

Houston Ballet Presents Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker

Sara Webb & Emily Bowen in Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker
[Photo: Amitava Sarkar]

Houston Ballet presents its annual production of The Nutcracker, already in progress through December 27, a tradition that began in 1972. According to the company:

"In 1976, Houston Ballet presented the production with revised choreography by the company's new artistic director Ben Stevenson. In 1987, the current production with designs by Desmond Heeley, lighting by Duane Schuler, and choreography by Mr. Stevenson was unveiled to a glowing critical response...[and has been] seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 24 years ago."

Charles-Louis Yoshiyama in Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker
[Photo: Amitava Sarkar]

The production sounds quite impressive with such special effects as a "Christmas tree which 'grows' to 40 feet, 200 pounds of 'snow' falling during the snow scene, and the firing of a cannon onstage." The dancers are accompanied by the Houston Ballet Orchestra under music director Ermanno Florio.

For related video:

Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker

Interview with Artistic Director Stanton Welch about The Nutcracker

Houston Ballet's Nutcracker Market [Source: Houston Ballet]

Like many large ballet companies, such as English National Ballet, Houston Ballet has found creative ways to address the enormous funding needs of maintaining a major arts organization. In 1981, Houston Ballet launched Nutcracker Market, a "Holiday Shopping Wonderland", featuring numerous merchants and a large crew of volunteers. Not only is it a great approach to fundraising but it's an excellent way to kick off the season of The Nutcracker.

One sign of Houston Ballet's success, now overseen by Artistic Director Stanton Welch, was their move earlier this year into an impressive new Center for Dance in downtown Houston. On a related note, my post about this news was the first at All World Dance following my welcoming announcement!

Official Site: Houston Ballet's The Nutcracker

Related All World Dance Coverage:
Houston Ballet to Open Center for Dance in Downtown
The Nutcracker - All Posts at All World Dance

DANCELEN(D)S Drops New Videos: Supernatural, 2011 Reel, Lulu Frost Teaser for MyHabit.com

Supernatural [Source: DANCELEN(D)S]

Looks like I timed my return to dance blogging perfectly! DANCELEN(D)S released three videos last week including:

Supernatural
Movement: Leah O'Donnell
Editor: Eleni Brousta
Producer: Jennifer Madison
Director: Ezra Peace
Track: Trentemoller's Take Me Into Your Skin

DANCELEN(D)S 2011 Reel [Source: DANCELEN(D)S]

The 2011 Reel offers a look at the range of cool stuff these people are up to. They ain't playin'!

DANCELEN(D)S has an interesting mix of artistic and commercial work though the lines are pretty blurry given the artistic nature of the commercial work.  For example, the video below is a "40 second teaser" for MyHabit.com, an Amazon luxury flash sale site that's now open to anyone with an Amazon account.

MyHabit.com/Lulu Frost Teaser

The teaser features jewelry designs by Lulu Frost.  It's directed by Erin Judd and stars Martina Heimann.  Lots more credits at YouTube.

What a great welcome back!

Official YouTube Site: DANCELEN(D)S

Related All World Dance Coverage:
DANCELEN(D)S Debuts Short Film With Valentine Norton's Project Valentine
Dance Crew

ABT's David Hallberg: First American to Join Bolshoi Ballet

David Hallberg - A Classical Ballet Dancer's Admiration for the Avant Garde [Source: DancePulp]

David Hallberg, a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, is moving to Russia and joining the Bolshoi Ballet. He is said to be the first American to take a position with the company and will join as a premier dancer, the same high status as a principal.  He will also continue to dance with ABT for the time being.

It's a high profile position and part of what Sergei Filin, the Bolshoi's new artistic director, is bringing to the company. Hallberg has previously performed as a guest with the company, as have others, and he looks forward to the opportunity:

"I have never anywhere encountered such seriousness and depth about ballet...Everywhere you go in Russia, you feel that dancing is valued as a high art. And inside the companies the work is so intelligently and beautifully approached. My one performance at the Bolshoi was amazingly intimidating. The company's record is so historic. But I grew a little because of it."

In the above interview from a bit over a year ago, Hallberg discusses his background in dance as well as his appreciation of avant garde performance.

Talenthouse Competition to Design for English National Ballet's My First Sleeping Beauty

My First Ballet [Source: ENB]

English National Ballet will begin its My First Ballet series, featuring performances for kids by students from the English National Ballet School, with My First Sleeping Beauty in April 2012. ENB is offering an opportunity for visual artists to "design the visual identity" for the ballet with the possibility of providing designs for future ballets in the series.

The winner will receive $2000 and lots of exposure. Three runners up will receive $300 each and additional exposure as well.

The competition is now open and runs through August 31st. Please see the official Talenthouse site for more.

I have to say, ENB does some of the more creative initiatives for expanding their audience by reaching out beyond the traditional confines of the world of concert dance. And that goes for both the My First Ballet series as well as this competition. I'm particularly impressed to see such initiatives coming from such an established institution when many cutting edge artists seem to have confined themselves to the high art ghetto.

Official Site: English National Ballet

Related All World Dance Coverage:
English National Ballet Restages Strictly Gershwin
English National Ballet's Summer Party to Include Designer Tutu Auction
(Plus Shoes & Tiaras!)
English National Ballet Dancers Help Sufferers of Parkinson's Disease

Michael Sakamoto's Project, The Empty Room, Seeks Your Support

Soil (work-in-progress) Section of The Empty Room
[Source: Michael Sakamoto]

Butoh dancer Michael Sakamoto is seeking funds for a group endeavor, The Empty Room, which involves multiple dancer/choreographers and dance styles:

"Michael Sakamoto joins forces with an international team of dance and music collaborators, including award-winning choreographer Rennie Harris (Rennie Harris Puremovement), new music composer Amy Knoles (California EAR unit), Japanese koto and guitar duo Reiko Imanishi and Shinichi Isohata, Thai dancer Waewdao Sirisook, and Japanese actor-dancers Tetsuro Koyano and Mao Arata (Pappa Tarahumara), to offer a vision of a sustainable future that starts with oneself."

"Each work in The Empty Room combines a different dance form and commissioned music score and is directly inspired by a Zen koan or text as well as a specific theme of social engagement. For example, the latest segment in rehearsal, 'Soil,' uses classic butoh movement, a custom soundscore of koto, guitar, and rain, and a koan about farmers in existential struggle with the earth, all resulting in an implicit commentary on environmental crisis issues."

The project is seeking $7000 and will receive a matching grant from the California Community Foundation. According to an email from Michael Sakamoto, there are also gifts for donors "including CDs, limited edition photo prints, and even koans and dances personalized by the artists just for you!"

He also states:

"Because we believe strongly in this performance as a form of social engagement, we’ve set our production budget at a fraction of what it would normally cost. For only $7000, we can complete 'The Empty Room' for its premiere next Summer in Los Angeles. With only $10,000 to $15,000, the work can travel for up to seven presentations booked or in negotiation in five countries, including the US, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Japan."

Sounds like a bargain! You can find out more on the fundraising site which includes more information about the various sections of The Empty Room as well as a video overview of the project.

Evolution of the Touchdown Dance

Evolution of the Touchdown Dance for ESPN [Source: ESPN]

The Evolution of Dance guy is back with Evolution of the Touchdown Dance.

Sure to be a hit with football fans, I hope, since I'm not getting any of the references!

Related All World Dance Coverage:
Judson Laipply's Evolution of Dance Holds Guinness World Record for Social Media

Reebok Classics Commercial: Reethym of Lite Dance Crew ft. Swizz Beatz

Reebok Classics Presents: Reethym of Lite ft. Swizz Beatz [Source: Reebok]

I'm not truly feeling this Swizz Beatz track International Party but I appreciate seeing all these dancers getting work in a commercial for Reebok Classics Lite line of sneakers!

Step To This: Reethym of Lite Dance Crew [Source: Reebok]

The above video features interviews with the choreographer, Hi-Hat, and the dancers:

"'Collaboration is key,' is Hi-Hat's motto. Showing off their footwork in the lightest Reebok Classic collection ever are dancers Haspop, Lil' Buck, Destini Rogers, B-boy LL Flex, Kelli Divincen, Daniel Graham, Duncan Tran and B-boy Lil' Bob."

State of the Art: Reethym of Lite's Design [Source: Reebok]

This is a cool minidoc on the stage set for the commercial:

"Rob Bono [is] the production designer and creative savant behind Reebok's Reethym of Lite campaign...turning Swiss and video director Chris Robinson's ideas into pulsating, mind-blowing reality. With the help of laser technician Eliav Kadosh, their dream matrix of light and shows materializes before your eyes."

Official Site: Reebok Classics

Rene Blum & The Ballets Russes: In Search of a Lost Life

Rene Blum & The Ballets Russes [Source: Barnes & Noble]

Rene Blum & The Ballets Russes is a new book by Judith Chazin-Bennahum that tells the story of the man who, among other accomplishments, revived the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo after the death of Diaghilev:

"Based on a treasure trove of previously undiscovered letters and documents, this thoroughly researched narrative not only tells the poignant story of Blum's life but also illustrates Blum's central role in the development of dance in the United States. Indeed, Blum's efforts to save his ballet company eventually helped to bring many of the world's greatest dancers and choreographers--among them Fokine, Balanchine, and Nijinska--to American ballet stages, shaping the path of dance in the United States for years to come."

This is the first biography of Frenchman Rene Blum who was also active in the literary world, a World War I hero and a victim of the Nazis at Auschwitz.

Biographer Judith Chazin-Bennahum is a former ballet dancer and a Distinguished Professor Emerita of Theatre and Dance at the University of New Mexico.

Jennifer Homans discusses the book and the story of Rene Blum.

Dance Routines for National Dance Day

Mary Murphy - Everybody Dance [Source: Dizzy Feet Foundation]

Despite the well-established existence in the U.S. of National Dance Week and the global enthusiasm for International Dance Day, Nigel Lythgoe, of So You Think You Can Dance fame, and his Dizzy Feet Foundation found it necessary to launch National Dance Day which seems to have its primary presence on FOX's website.

I'm all for boosting the profile of dance and these dance-focused tv shows have helped with that but this is a pretty blatant marketing maneuver and I find it disengenuous when Lythgoe states, "National Dance Day does not 'belong' to any single corporation, television show or charity...It belongs to the people."

Robin Antin - Intermediate Intensive [Source: Dizzy Feet Foundation]

That said, I'm all for dance and good health and accept that marketing drives change in today's world. So I'm going to view the creation of Dance 4 Your Life! by the Dizzy Feet Foundation and The Larry King Cardiac Foundation as an overall plus and share with you the three routines choreographers associated with So You Think You Can Dance have made available for use during National Dance Day.

Tabitha & Napoleon Dumo's Master Class [Source: Dizzy Feet Foundation]

I like the fact that they're offering three levels of routines and I especially appreciate the inclusive routine shared by Mary Murphy.

So, no, I'm not a hater but I am involved in marketing and I call them like I see them!

Official Site: Dance 4 Your Life!

Related All World Dance Coverage:
Global Celebrations Abound for World Dance Day & National Dance Week!

Joffrey Ballet Season Not Yet Cancelled But Dancers' Directory Pulled from Website

@rogueballerina Calls Out Joffrey Management [Source: Twitter]

In the petty news department, Joffrey Ballet management has apparently removed the dancers' directory from their website's Company page as noted by Vicki Crain on Twitter.

Time Out Chicago's Zachary Whittenburg seems to be doing a good job of covering the emerging nastiness in the dispute between Joffrey Ballet management and its dancers, most of whom are currently on unpaid leave since they only get paid 38 weeks a year! Chicago lawyer and dancer rep Barbara Hillman says that a lot of management's claims are inaccurate and that the dancers are now more unified than ever.

However, company reps are not responding to Hillman's statements including her claim that management has never stated that they can't afford to meet dancers' demands.

Given that the company wants 5 more hours a week without additional pay, I think they got some 'splainin' to do.

By the way, given Rahm Emmanuel's history of nasty, hardcore political management, I'm not sure asking him for help is the way to go.  There's a reason he's called Rahmbo!

Related All World Dance Coverage:
Joffrey Ballet in Dispute with Dancers' Union, Threatens Season Cancellation
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel Joins Joffrey Ballet Board as Honorary Chairman