Editorial – Page 41

Dance In The UK: NYCB’s Nutcracker Production

December 10, 2011 by 4dancers

by Jessica Wilson

There’s an extremely Christmassy privilege heading to the UK on 22^nd December, in the form of New York City Ballet’s brand new production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, with tickets priced at just ten pounds. This multi-million dollar production includes a forty foot Christmas tree which weighs a staggering one tonne, seventy ballet dancers, fifty children from the School of American Ballet – the official school of NYCB – and a sixty-two piece orchestra. It is ultimately described by the New York Post as “the Christmas show of all Christmas shows”.

NYCB has an unparalleled active repertory of more than 150 works, many of which are considered modern masterpieces. The Company was established in 1948 by choreographer Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein, joined by Jerome Robbins in 1949 as associate artistic director. Now under the artistic direction of Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins, the company performs an impressive annual 21-week season in New York, the longest home season of any dance company in the world.

The production’s defining feature is its vast scale, described as a ‘virtually live performance’ to be screened in cinemas all over the UK. This will ultimately provide mass audiences with the chance to view such an iconic and prestigious work by Balanchine, who is generally argued to be the father of modern ballet. This great accessibility is proved unhindered by the extremely limited run, due to the fact it is the ‘golden ticket’ of ballets for all dance lovers, available nationally. [Read more…]

Finis: The Quest For Value-Added Content

November 30, 2011 by 4dancers

by Christopher Duggan

I’m a photographer who has his marketing hat on at all times. At every rehearsal and studio session I photograph for dancers, I’m always thinking about how we can attract more attention to their art – how can we gain new audience members or cultivate more financial support?

I was commissioned in October by Ella Rosewood to photograph the final dress rehearsal for her solo show, Second Skin. I was trying to think about what else I could create for her besides the normal performance images. She told me that she was having a full 15 minute intermission even though there was only 65 minutes worth of material. “Why?” I asked her. Because she needed a full 15 minutes for an intricate costume change. THAT sparked an idea. [Read more…]

Dance In The UK: Dance Shows Boost Popularity?

November 26, 2011 by 4dancers

by Jessica Wilson

Jessica Wilson

Having seen a huge influx of dance-related TV shows throughout 2011, a recent survey conducted by YouGov has revealed that just over 1 in 5 British adults (21%) have become interested in dancing as a result of shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and So You Think You Can Dance. The survey was completed in the prelude to the Dance Proms, a new festival which took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Sunday 13^th November of this year. The Dance Proms featured twenty-four acts selected from a competition held to find the UK’s most talented dance students and representing all genres of dance. Dance Proms, a celebration of dance in all its forms, is organised by UK’s leading dance organisations: the International Dance Teachers’ Association (IDTA), Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD); and the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD).

The YouGov survey also revealed that roughly the same number of adults (1 in 5) currently participate in some form of dance, stretching across a vast range of styles, with just over 1 in 8 adults (13%) having taken part in a dance class in the last five years. This is sure to grow in the future, with the introduction of extremely popular “dance-fit” activities such as Zumba, the latest dance craze to sweep the US and Europe, and favoured among many celebrities including Wayne Rooney, Madonna and Jennifer Lopez. [Read more…]

4dancers Turns 2

November 24, 2011 by 4dancers

What began for me in November 2009 as a very part-time, “side thing” to practice blogging for my writing site, Freelance-Zone.com has almost become a full-time job. For those of you who don’t know, I started 4dancers on a whim. As I developed the site, to my pleasant surprise, I found that there is a pretty amazing audience of dancers, dance teachers and other dance lovers out there on the web.

When I began the blog, there weren’t as many sites out there dedicated to dance. Nichelle, with the popular site, Dance Advantage was one of the biggest out there (and still is!), and there were other fun dance blogs I discovered along the way too. I had no idea at the time how rich the online dance world would become. Now I am fortunate enough to be in the good company of sites such as Tights and Tiaras, Tendus Under A Palm Tree and Move. Create. Educate, all of which are featured for 2011 in the new column, “Dance Blog Spotlight”. I’ll be adding to that list in 2012–there are plenty of sites out there to highlight!

Today 4dancers has a network of 2000+ Twitter followers, a stable of 11 amazing Contributors, and because of you–the readers–this blog will be my primary focus in 2012. I’ve found “home” here in the online dance community, and since 4dancers is turning 2 this month, I thought I would take the time at Thanksgiving to say a big thank you to each and every one of you that have supported me and the other writers here along the way.

After all, this site isn’t for me–it’s for you.

In the coming year you can expect to see more interviews with Joffrey ballet members, information on the upcoming documentary “Joffrey-Mavericks of American Dance“, interviews with members of Ballet San Jose and other companies (TBA), more on The Rockettes, teaching tips, products and video. There’s plenty to come!

If there is something in particular you would like to see on the site, leave a comment, or shoot me an e-mail at info (at) catherineltully (dot) com. Over the next month I’ll be putting an editorial calendar together, and I’d be happy to include some things with input from readers.

Once again, my most heartfelt thanks for visiting this site. Have a lovely Thanksgiving holiday, and check in on Monday to see the first interview with a member of Ballet San Jose.

– Catherine

The Nutcracker Getaway

November 21, 2011 by 4dancers

Looking for something fun to do to celebrate the holidays? If you are a dancer who still enjoys The Nutcracker, why not reserve a hotel getaway package that includes a night with the Joffrey?

Start out at the majestic JW Marriott Chicago and enjoy signature appetizers and cocktails in the Lobby Lounge, then attend the performance.

The package includes:

Luxury hotel accommodations
Two drinks in lobby lounge
Two orchestra seat tickets to the Nutcracker Ballet
Noon check-in available upon request
Package rates range from $409-$459; availability December 9 – 27, 2011

Reservations for all packages can be made by calling 312 660 8200 or online.

About JW Marriott Chicago

JW Marriott Chicago, which opened November 2010, is located in Chicago’s historic landmark, the Daniel Burnham-designed Continental & Commercial National Bank building at 151 West Adams Street in the heart of Chicago’s financial district. This luxurious hotel underwent a $396 million restoration blending Burnham’s famous architectural style with elegant, modern surroundings. The property features 610 oversized guestrooms including 29 luxurious suites. In addition, the property boasts VALEO, a 20,000-square-foot spa and fitness center-an amenity not found in most city center hotels-and The Florentine, a modern Italian, fine dining restaurant.

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