All World Dance: News for Lovers of Dance

Robots Wish You Happy Year of the Water Dragon!

Chinese New Year 2012 Dancing Robots [Source: Gizchina]

Hoped to be back in action by now but, no fault to the Water Dragon, had some water leakage at my office that's thrown everything off schedule.

A Taoist teacher I know pulled the I Ching hexagram "Biting Through" for January 19 through 23 and, indeed, I am having to summon quite a bit of tenacity heading into this New Year.

So be it. I'm still planning on having a great 2012 and I hope you will do the same!

Stephen Colbert in The Nutcracker w/Special Guests David Hallberg & Hee Seo

David Hallberg, Hee Seo & Stephen Colbert in a Variation from The Nutcracker [Source: Colbert Nation]

Stephen Colbert does surprisingly well for himself on The Colbert Report in this variation from The Nutcracker starring David Hallberg and Hee Seo of the American Ballet Theatre.

David Hallberg Spars with Stephen Colbert [Source: Colbert Nation]

David Hallberg, who was inspired by Fred Astaire, was a special guest on The Colbert Report due to recently beginning work with The Bolshoi Ballet.

I'm no David Hallberg but Fred Astaire was also an important inspiration for my decision to study dance!

Official Site: Colbert Nation

Related All World Dance Coverage:
The Nutcracker - All Posts at All World Dance
ABT's David Hallberg: First American to Join Bolshoi Ballet

America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 Auditions

America's Best Dance Crew Season 7 Auditions
[Source: Hip Hop International]

Auditions have been announced for Season 7 of America's Best Dance Crew on MTV.

They're taking place in January and you can register here to reserve a priority audition.

For More Info: ABDC Casting

Available at Amazon: ABDC Goodies

Related All World Dance Coverage:
America's Best Dance Crew Season 6 Kicks Off With Lil Wayne
Interview w/Howard Schwartz: Hip Hop International Founder, America's Best Dance Crew Co-Creator

Vote for Your Favorite in 2011 Battle of the Nutcrackers!

2011 Battle of the Nutcrackers [Source: Ovation]

This year's Battle of the Nutcrackers on Ovation will be hosted by Nigel Lythgoe and Debbie Allen from December 12 through 16 at 8 pm ET/PT.

A different Nutcracker will be aired each evening including:

The Nutcracker at the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg, Russia, choreographed by Mikhail Shemiakin.

Royal Opera House: The Nutcracker in London.

The Nutcracker: Berlin State Opera Ballet, choreographed by Patrice Bart.

Bolshoi Ballet: The Nutcracker, choreographed by Yuri Grigorovich.

Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker!

Voting has begun and the winner will be announced December 24th. A special performance will be aired December 25th.

Related All World Dance Coverage:
The Nutcracker - All Posts at All World Dance

An Atypical Day in the Life of American Ballet Theatre Ballerina Misty Copeland

Misty Copeland: A Day In The Life [Source: Hulu]

American Ballet Theatre ballerina Misty Copeland is featured in an episode of Morgan Spurlock's documentary series A Day In The Life.

However, as Chris Atkinson notes, this episode is not a typical day in the life of a world class ballerina. It actually features some of her public relations work on behalf of African-Americans in ballet. That's cool but it's a bit out of the ordinary even for Misty Copeland who's made it to the top via lots of hours in the studio and on-stage.

Related All World Dance Coverage:
Misty Copeland: Representing Black Ballet Dancers at American Ballet Theatre

Judging the Judges of the Judges of So You Think You Can Dance

Lady Gaga cries on So You Think You Can Dance [Source: Showbiz 411]

Elaine Stuart sat in with some professional dancers based in New York while they watched and discussed So You Think You Can Dance. Since it reveals the gaping chasm between concert dancers and popular dance at a time when many concert dance companies seem to be unable to connect with what is clearly an international dance boom, I thought it might be worth a friendly critique, not of their criticism, but of the presentation of their criticisms out of context by a journalist!

This gathering of dancers comes in the wake of Bill T. Jones' recent comments regarding such shows as "obscene", in part, due to turning dance into a sport and disregarding what he seems to believe is its essential nature as a "subtle art form." In addition to disregarding a wide range of dance and the reasons people dance, this is an interesting statement given that he has appeared on So You Think You Can Dance Canada due to the marketing potential.

They probably cut him a hefty check as well so, despite his strong statements, he seem capable of pushing his integrity to the side to make that money. Toe that bottom line, baby!

The gathering for one of New York's most well-known local papers was held in Brooklyn because most dancers really can't afford to live in Manhattan now that they've pushed out the poor and middle class.

Here are some of the criticisms of the show followed by my responses which I know you're just dying to hear!

"'It's exciting that it's bringing it into living rooms,' Ms. Marcin said. But while grateful for the exposure, these dancers bristled at the show's watered-down presentation of the art. 'Because it has that kind of power, I think they have the responsibility to educate,' Ms. Dorrance said. She and the others said the episode they watched failed to verse viewers in the nuances of dance."

Say what? Mass media is supposed to educate? Uh, not even the news is real journalism. I think that's a bizarre expectation for mass media at this point in history and it makes me wonder if they actually watch tv or think critically about the things they do watch outside of dance.

"'If they move with a little bit of flavor, it's thrown in the hip-hop category,' Mr. Rue said while watching the routine commended for swagginess. He lamented the lack of locking and popping — the funk-era foundations from which modern street dance emerged: 'This is hip-hop light.'"

These statements actually speak to the larger success of hip hop dance forms that don't follow the standards of the breakdance subculture, aka bboying, which has become surprisingly rigid and constrained in its short history and somewhat off-putting in its purist attitude regarding those who don't share its values.

All five were baffled by the omission of classical ballet and tap from the routines, while the jive and international rumba are included.

No need to be baffled by the obvious. Ballet and tap require such specific techniques to appear halfway competent that it's highly unlikely a mass media production that's not out to humiliate performers would put performers in that situation.

"Following the contestant Marko Germar's impassioned contemporary number, the group was surprised to see both him and Lady Gaga in tears. "This is totally for ratings," Mr. Rue said as Mr. Germar's eyes watered."

But the seemingly savvy statement that Lady Gaga and one of the performers is doing something for the show's ratings seems unlikely.

That statement implies that the show's producers told them to cry and that they agreed. The dancer is doing a very personal performance and may be somewhat of a drama queen. He's also a young dancer having a peak moment spotlighted on tv, something these critics probably haven't experienced. Of course, Lady Gaga does what she wants and building a personal rapport with everyday people is part of her skillset. Booking Lady Gaga is what they did for ratings, not telling her to cry.

"'Who wants to hire somebody like that — that's going to cry every time they have to do an emotional piece?' Ms. Peck asked. 'That's the thing,' Ms. Marcin said later, before posing what may have been the night's most trenchant question. 'Are they grooming professional dancers?'"

"To Mr. McMurray this signaled a shift in the show's direction. 'The first season the prize was money and a rent-free apartment in New York so you could audition,' he noted. 'The next year it was like a show with Celine Dion, and now I think they get to be in a commercial for Gatorade.'"

This is yet another point where the dancers seem to be confused by what the show actually is as opposed to the initial marketing for the show. This is a televised dance contest inspired by American Idol. It's touching Middle America's heart in a way these professional critics will never experience.

It's not about getting jobs. It's not about grooming dancers. All statements to the contrary are marketing fodder designed to make the show seem meaningful in a way that they initially hoped would capture audiences. They dropped it when they realized audiences aren't really moved by winning a year's rent in New York and that it was a lot of money to put out for performers that didn't necessarily have New York on their agenda.

I remember when I first heard about the year in New York it sounded odd to me for such a show. Clearly my intuition was correct in that it was dumped after the first season. It should also be noted that prizes like appearing in a Gatorade commercial is likely a paid placement and so contributes to the revenue stream of So You Think You Can Dance.

The professional critics also express their mixed feelings about the fact that the show doesn't meet their standards yet clearly is building an audience for dance, including young men, some of whom have pressures keeping them from dancing. They also make it clear that, like Bill T. Jones, they would all perform on the show for marketing purposes!

Stuart closes her article with the statement she says "summed up the consensus":

"These dancers wouldn't stand up to dancers in New York."

So I'll close with the question that matters:

Does anyone outside of the New York concert dance scene really care?

Related All World Dance Coverage:
2011 So You Think You Can Dance U.S. Tour Schedule

The LXD Season Three: Rise of the Drifts

The LXD: Rise of the Drifts Poster [Source: The LXD]

Rise of the Drifts, the third season of LXD a dance-centric web series featuring The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers, premieres August 11 on Hulu.

The LXD: Rise of the Drifts Trailer [Source: Jon M. Chu]

The LXD is directed by Jon M. Chu, known for such dance flicks as Step Up 3d.

Related All World Dance Coverage:
The LXD: Seasons 1 & 2 DVD Now Available; Plus, A Word With Director Jon Chu

2011 So You Think You Can Dance U.S. Tour Schedule

Tickets for the touring version of So You Think You Can Dance in the U.S. go on sale July 29th. Featuring the top 10 finalists from the 8th season of So You Think You Can Dance, the tour kicks off in Florida.

So You Think You Can Dance Fall 2011 Tour Schedule:

Sat 17-Sep, Orlando, FL, Amway Center

Sun 18-Sep, Miami, FL, American Airlines Arena

Tues 20-Sep, Duluth, GA, Arena at Gwinnett Center

Wed 21-Sep, Charlotte, NC, Time Warner Cable Arena

Fri 23-Sep, Norfolk, VA, Constant Convocation Center

Sat 24-Sep, Fairfax, VA, Patriot Center

Sun 25-Sep, Philadelphia, PA, Wells Fargo Center

Tues 27-Sep, Boston, MA, Agganis Arena

Thur 29-Sep, Providence, RI, Dunkin’ Donuts Center

Fri 30-Sep, Atlantic City, NJ, Trump Taj Mahal

Sat 1-Oct, Mashantucket, CT, MGM Grand at Foxwoods

Mon 3-Oct, Long Island, NY, Nassau Coliseum

Tues 4-Oct, Newark, NJ, Prudential Center

Thur 6-Oct, Pittsburgh, PA, Petersen Events Center

Sat 8-Oct, Detroit, MI, FOX Theatre

Sun 9-Oct, Toronto, ON, Air Canada Centre

Tues 11-Oct, Cincinnati, OH, U.S. Bank Arena

Wed 12-Oct, Rosemont, IL, Allstate Arena

Thur 13-Oct, Minneapolis, MN, Target Center

Sat 15-Oct, St. Louis, MO, Chaifetz Arena

Sun 16-Oct, Tulsa, OK, BOK Center

Tues 18-Oct, Memphis, TN, FedExForum

Wed 19-Oct, New Orleans, LA, Lakefront Arena

Fri 21-Oct, Cedar Park, TX, Cedar Park Centre

Sat 22-Oct, Grand Prairie, TX, Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

Mon 24-Oct, Broomfield, CO, 1st Bank Center

Wed 26-Oct, West Valley City, UT, Maverik Center

Fri 28-Oct, Stockton, CA, Stockton Arena

Sat 29-Oct, Los Angeles, CA, NOKIA Theatre LA Live

Sun 30-Oct, San Jose, CA, HP Pavilion at San Jose

Tues 1-Nov, Bakersfield, CA, Rabobank Arena

Wed 2-Nov, San Diego, CA, Valley View Casino Arena

Official Site: So You Think You Can Dance

More Reality Dance TV: Born To Dance: Laurieann Gibson

Laurieann Gibson Discusses The Dance Scene [Source: DanceOn]

Fresh off her Dance Scene experience, Laurieann Gibson returns August 2 on BET for more tough love reality tv dance action in Born To Dance: Laurieann Gibson:

"Over eight weeks Gibson unleashes her hottest choreography and signature tough love to give these 20 aspiring young dancers the tools they need to take their careers to the next level and battle it out for the number one spot and the ultimate prize of $50,000. From week to week, they dance their way through a variety of creative challenges including: a music video competition, a commercial, and ultimately the chance to perform live with Lady Gaga in front of a packed arena in The Monster Ball Tour."

Official Site: Born To Dance: Laurieann Gibson

William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet to Appear on Epix

William Shatner with Milwaukee Ballet [Source: Big Screen Entertainment]

The documentary, William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet, will be shown on Epix later this month:

"Gonzo Ballet is a feature-length documentary chronicling the production and performance of 'Common People,' the ballet by Margo Sappington which was set to the music of William Shatner and Ben Fold's album 'Has Been.'"

"The film explores the genesis of this unique artistic collaboration by fusing the music, poetry, and dance of 'Common People' with interviews by William Shatner, Ben Folds, Margo Sappington, Elizabeth Shatner and Henry Rollins. The film was directed by Patrick Buckley, Kevin Layne, Bobby Ciraldo, & Andrew Swant share co-directing credits."

Epix is a U.S. based movie channel that's available on cable tv, as Video on Demand and on the web.

Be sure to check out our previous post on William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet for video clips and movie poster.

Official Sites: William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet ~ Epix

Related All World Dance Coverage:
William Shatner's Gonzo Ballet Documentary to Appear in Indie Memphis Festival