Tag Archives: performance

SYTYCan…Criticize?

August 6th, 2010 | Posted in Education, Reviews, Skill, Sport, Technique, Television, choreography, culture, dance, history, video, website

AdeChicke Torbert - solo

I had to refrain from blogging about SYTYCD season 7, which turned out to be quite a bore with a few exceptions. Let’s begin with the audition elimination. When judges failed to choose two superb male dancers that auditioned in NY, the injured Anthony Burrell and D.J. Smart (who later featured his amazing audition choreography in episode 21), I asked myself “o.k. now where is this program going?” Anthony, D.J and slated season 7 winner Alex Wong, would have offered a highly polished performance quality, perhaps as an unfair advantage to the other contestants. But why was the later injured and  eliminated Alex chosen over the other two? Was this a deliberate casting angle?

Also tagged in: , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Passing the Torch: The Boys of Bharata Natyam/The New Generation of Rangoli

August 1st, 2010 | Posted in Education, Everything Else, Reviews, Skill, Spirituality, Sport, Technique, calendar, choreography, culture, dance, history, video, website

Chirag and Dhruv of Rangoli Dance Company

August will see a roster of Arangetrams* presented by Artistic Director Malathi Iyengar from the Rangoli Dance Company (*the debut performance of a Classical Dancer, the time when a disciple proves talents and knowledge taken from their Guru)  article by Prem Kishore of IndiaPost – California

These live performances of Bharata Natyam with mesmerizing , intricate rhythms, unique narrative, and  powerful movements,  always engage, enrich and  showcase  the best traditions of Indian classical dance Iyengar is a cherished  and innovative choreographer, dancer/artist of our times and it is with an exhilarating anticipation that one looks forward to the debut of her amazingly  versatile,  gifted  young dancers. 

Also tagged in: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

S.Y.T.Y.C.D. ABDC?

September 21st, 2009 | Posted in Education, Hip-Hop, Latin, Salsa, Skill, Technique, Television, choreography, culture, dance, video

ABDC

Also tagged in: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

MY PREDICTION…..

August 6th, 2009 | Posted in Skill, Technique, Television, dance
Brandon Bryant courtesy of TV Guide

Brandon Bryant courtesy of TV Guide

This season’s final four performances on S.Y.T.Y.C.D. were nothing less than amazing. Each contestant honed such a level of technique, strength and stamina far surpassing any stage presentation I have seen as yet. As many students claim to “want it” (dance for their passion), this group has certainly possessed a dance for their life/livelihood mentality. This speaks a lot to the 21st Century dancer. The cycled history of visible pure form has resurfaced. My prediction is for the dancing concept academia to take a back seat to the practicing technicians, as the view of the dancing body resorts back to pure form, technique and performance. Not at all to say that dance will not evolve, but just that the practice will require perfection in dance, sport, martial art and performance, not solely entertainment.

Also tagged in: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

MICHAEL JACKSON: THE TRUE END OF AN ERA

June 26th, 2009 | Posted in Hip-Hop, Television, black history, choreography, culture, dance, video
courtesy soultracks.com

courtesy soultracks.com

I am in utter disbelief at the death of Michael Jackson. In retrospect, he has unselfishly contributed to music, dance and pop culture like no other artist in the world. Having started his career at age 10 to making a comeback this July at age 50 is a commendable effort to his legacy, in a genre of artists who are sampling his music and performance. It is unfortunate that a man of such talents needed to live in exiled seclusion for years in defending his eccentric behaviors and troubled past.

courtesy anneandsteve.org

courtesy anneandsteve.org

Also tagged in: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

The Real Joy Of Dancing

November 23rd, 2008 | Posted in Education, Everything Else, choreography, dance

 

With over 30 years of performing under my belt, this is the first time that all of my dedication, sore joints and blistered feet have paid off…tenfold.

 

 I just completed my 2008 performance season with The Charles Moore Dance Theater. As a new transplant to the southern hemisphere, this season of pedagogy and performance has been a trying one. Crossing distances of 5 states has only taught me faulty time management, patience and the ability to “let go…let God.”

I really don’t know how I made it through, but I can certainly share how every minute was worth this one exceptional moment.

Also tagged in: , , , , , , , | 0 Comments

Mantras of the “Old School”

July 26th, 2008 | Posted in Education, Skill, Technique, Television, choreography, dance
    

A week ago  Wednesday evening, the Pas de Deux created by Desmond Richardson and Dwight Rhoden of “Complexions” dance company (NYC), placed on contestants Will and Katee of “So You Think You Can Dance”, was nothing less than spectacular. I am not privy to the selection process of choreographer to dancing couple; however, Will and Katee are clearly the most technically trained of the remaining contestants. In the dancers’ comments, the choreography left no room for error, and the technical abilities of the dancers were pushed to the limits.

Richardson and Rhoden clearly leaders of the “new school” of performance, came from the “old school” mentality in conservatory training, There are no shortcuts..Learn by doing! It is in this display of precision, technical ability and integrity that a clear conservation of “art” in dance is maintained. The purity of the movement and the choice of choreographic vocabulary lend itself to concise storytelling, (the responsibility and integrity of the artist). Technical merit and performance, however quirky, is the foundation adding the finishing touches to the dancing body.

Also tagged in: , , , , , , , | 0 Comments
RSS for Posts RSS for Comments