Dance Gifts – Page 4

New Exhibition From Sculptor Andrew DeVries

June 4, 2011 by 4dancers

Some of you may remember an interview I had on 4dancers some time ago about the talented sculptor Andrew DeVries.

I thought I would share with readers the fact that he has created a new exhibition of original bronze sculptures and drawings that feature depictions of contemporary dance and movement, accompanied by photographs and commentary on works ranging from ancient Greece to the days of Degas to today.

His 2011 collection and exhibition officially opened on May 13 in Lenox, Mass., in the heart of the Berkshires, an epicenter of arts and culture.

A number of events surround the exhibition, as well; For instance, Andrew will unveil his latest works such as Apollo, a half-life-size depiction of a male dancer, on June 5 at a reception that will include performances by Boston Symphony musicians. Dancer-model Ruslan Sprague modeled for this sculpture, which was inspired in part by Jennifer Homans’ NY Times bestseller Apollo’s Angels: A History of Ballet.

DeVries Fine Art International gallery is located at 62 Church Street, Lenox, so if you get the chance to go–by all means drop by.

In addition, DeVries will unveil Apollo at Ventfort Hall, The Museum of the Gilded Age in Lenox on June 5. The gallery is open in the spring on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On June 27, the gallery will expand its hours to span six days a week, including weekend evenings. For more information, visit his website.

Andrew will also host open studio sessions on August 13 and 14, which will feature a live bronze pour.

Dance Book Giveaway!

May 31, 2011 by 4dancers

Pass the word! Daphne Kalotay has generously offered to give away a copy of her book, Russian Winter to a lucky 4dancers reader!

To enter the drawing for this giveaway, simply comment below and I will pick a name out of a hat (yes, literally!) for the copy. Take a minute and enter–it costs you nothing…

This book would make the perfect summer reading for the beach, a trip, or simply to accompany you out in the yard as you unwind after a long day…or, if you aren’t a big reader, give it away to a dancer you know who is!

Product Review: TwinkleTies

May 18, 2011 by 4dancers

TwinkleTies are designed to add a little sparkle to tap shoes, while being practical. The product is hand-made, and can also be used for gym shoes or even as a ponytail holder.

I thought these would be especially fun for a young dance student. The ties really are cute, and my 7-year-old niece was most definitely eyeballing them when I took them out of the package. You can choose from blue, green, pink and crystal.

I think these make a great alternative to the typical ties used for tap shoes, which often come undone at all the wrong times. A really super-cute idea, and easy to use!

Pass the word–comment below and enter yourself into a drawing for a giveaway! I’ll send a pair of red TwinkleTies to the lucky winner!

Dance Book: Russian Winter

May 16, 2011 by 4dancers

Today I’d like to share an interview with Daphne Kalotay, a writer who has authored a book that has ballet as a backdrop for the story…

1. Could you tell readers a bit about who you are and what you do?

I’m a dance-lover rather than a dancer; and I’m a writer with two books of fiction published, the first one a short story collection, the second one a novel.

2. What is your latest book called and what is it about?

It’s called RUSSIAN WINTER and centers on a Bolshoi ballerina during the last years of Stalin’s rule. The book goes back and forth between modern-day Boston, where the dancer has been living in the decades since her defection, and post-World War II Moscow, where we witness her life as a young dancer rising in the ranks of the Bolshoi and her friendships with other artists striving to fulfill their dreams while living in a totalitarian state.

3. Why did you decide ballet would play a part in your book?

From the moment I pictured this elderly Russian woman in Boston, I thought of her as a ballerina, maybe because the idea of exploring that world and learning about life in a ballet company was exciting to me. Then, in my research, I began to understand just how important the ballet was to the Soviet regime, which relied on the beauty and glamour of the theatre as a counter to the bleakness of daily life. I’m fascinated by how well that government understood the need for the arts in society and tried to foster—well, manipulate—ballet, opera, music, literature, if in an ultimately stifling manner. What I most wanted to show in my novel, though, was how art is this humanizing force that really can save us.

Only later did it strike me how appropriate ballet in particular was to the book, since I was writing about life in authoritarian state, and ballet can be seen as authoritarian, with its precise rules and strict discipline. Think of the corps de ballet, the self-abnegation and conformity ballet often requires. So it was a good parallel to what I was trying to say about Soviet life.

4. How did you make sure your information about dance was accurate? [Read more…]

Framed Dance Photo: Belly Dancer “On Stage”

April 12, 2011 by 4dancers

From time to time I will be putting up artwork that I have done that will be for sale through 4dancers.

This piece was a belly dancer that I photographed during a performance. I then spent time working with the image in Photoshop to create the work. I have titled it, “On Stage”.

The print itself is on archival paper and it is matted and framed. The mat is white and the frame is a rich brown. The print is 5 x 7 and the frame is 8 x 10. I am asking $35 for it, plus $5 shipping. I only have one available at this time.

I took a close up photo so you can see the image a bit better, but bear in mind that the picture is much sharper than you see here as it was taken through the glass.

You won’t see this art piece anywhere else.

At this time I’m only set up to ship to the continental U.S. If you know someone who might like this print, please do pass the word…and thanks!

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