Reviews

Product Review: The Royal Ballet “Ballet Magic” Tote Bag

June 26, 2017 by Rachel Hellwig

No matter which side of the pond you’re on, just about anything associated with the Royal Ballet just has a certain magic to it…

Cocorose London has created a series of leather and canvas tote bags featuring digitally-printed photos of the company. Here are my thoughts on the “Ballet Magic” model:

- Beautiful design – black-and-white image of dancers in the wings of the Royal Opera House during La Sylphide

- Durable, well made

- Not for sweaty pointe shoes! Or depositing on a rosin-dusted corner of a dance studio…

- Good for just about anything else (I’m actually using it as a purse now!)

- Downside: cost. The price tag of £50 translates to about $64 plus taxes.

Book Review: How They Became Famous Dancers – A Dancing History

April 26, 2017 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

This lovely book was sent to us by Anne Dunkin (the author) for review, and it’s easy to recommend. Dunkin has assembled a very interesting resource that would serve as a great tool for those teaching middle school, or even to have on hand at a dance studio library. It’s also a good read, just to add to your own personal knowledge of dance. It tells the stories of 12 dancers (6 male and 6 female) from various parts of the world, focusing on their childhoods and rise to prominence as a dancer.

Many different places are represented, including Mexico, Japan, India, Africa, and the United States. Every chapter begins with the dancer’s background, and outlines their journey to becoming a dancer. The information is coupled with black and white photographs, as well as a “Create A Dance” section at the end of the chapter, which is designed to give children a feel for the type of movement that particular dancer was known for. The dancers that are included in this book span a variety of different genres, ranging from ballet to Bharata Natyam, to Modern dance. There is even a little map in the beginning that shows where each dancer was from for reference.

This unique and interesting approach makes the book an especially good resource for teachers, since material of this nature is often difficult to find. The chapters lend themselves to either being used in their entirety, or as rich material to add to a lecture. The dancers that are covered here include:

Louis XIV
John Durang
Marie Taglioni
William Henry “Juba” Lane
Anna Pavlova
Rudolph Laban
Doris Humphrey
Michio Ito
Mrinalini Sarabhai
Pearl Primus
Amalia Hernandez
Arthur Mitchell

I’ve been in the field for over 40 years, and I learned quite a bit from reading this book myself. Don’t hesitate to add it to your library!

Purchase from Amazon

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Review: “Gennadi’s Choice” by Atlanta Ballet

March 18, 2017 by Rachel Hellwig

Atlanta Ballet in Gemma Bond’s
“Denouement.” Photo by Kim Kenney. Courtesy of Atlanta Ballet.

by Rachel Hellwig

Gennadi’s Choice marks a new chapter for Atlanta Ballet as the company is shaped by the new artistic direction of Gennadi Nedvigin. The first mixed bill of his inaugural season, the program provides a glimpse of his commitment to classical ballet and contemporary works with a strong classical basis. It features excerpts of Paquita, Denouement by Gemma Bond, and Vespertine by Liam Scarlett.

Paquita’s sunny foray into classicism showcases Christian Clark’s calm strength and finesse and Rachel Van Buskirk’s precision, musicality, and creativity. Variations also highlight Ashley Wegmann’s long lines, serenity, and sumptuous phrasing, Monika Haczkiewicz’s elastic jumps and balance, and Jackie Nash’s projection and pointe work.

In Denouement, a premiere by Gemma Bond, the company evinces its continuing strength in one-act, abstract, contemporary works. With themes of time and choice as inspiration, Bond constructs a detailed work that casts a quiet, increasing tight spell. Imagery recalling Swan Lake surfaces at times, including frequent, wing-like motions of the arms and bourrées conveying a struggle for freedom. James Whiteside’s costumes also contribute to these echoes as strips of pale fabric forming skirts sometimes appear to be feathers fluttering in the wind. Predominantly cold, blue lighting by Joseph R. Walls coupled with scrims to suggest doorways and distance adds dimensions to the drama.

Vespertine, the North American premiere of a work Scarlett created on the Norwegian National Ballet in 2013, likewise highlights Atlanta Ballet’s adeptness in one-act, contemporary works. In Vespertine, Scarlett is at his most poignant when melding contrasting movement elements—grounded, historically-inspired and naturalistic steps with the abandon, force, and freedom of contemporary ballet. Adding to this is his gift of charging small gestures with intensity and layers of meaning. As in Denouement, the lighting design—here by Michael Hulls– has a leading role in the drama: clusters of lights hovering above stage, most evocative when dimly glowing, represent both chandeliers and a canopy of magnified stars.

Gennadi’s Choice repeats on March 18 at 8 p.m. and March 19 at 2 p.m.

Disclosure: Atlanta Ballet Dancer Alessa Rogers is a contributing writer at 4dancers.

Book Review: Misty Copeland

February 18, 2017 by 4dancers

This stunning book of photos is something that every Misty Copeland fan would love. The photographer, Gregg Delman was captivated by the dancer’s poise and athleticism, and reached out to ask if he could photograph her, and the result is this – 95 color photographs that depict Copeland in a wide range of poses that not only beautifully highlight her incredible physique, but also show Delman’s artistic eye.

The photographer has had work published in Vogue, Rolling Stone, Elle, and a variety of other well-known magazines, and has worked with other notable celebrities, such as Katy Perry, Jack White, Robert Plant, and John Lithgow. The pictures he has made here reflect his ability to capture moods and moments that wouldn’t be possible to see during a ballet performance onstage. It’s a more intimate, indeed, almost vulnerable Copeland we see here. An interesting perspective, juxtaposed against the dancer’s incredibly toned, athletic body.

These simple, tasteful photos aren’t costume-heavy. They don’t rely on tricks or heavy editing to make them pop. They just feature a gorgeous ballerina through the lens of a photographer that knows how to make her look her best.

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Dancewear Review: Jaffic’s “Slouchy” Leg Warmers

December 1, 2016 by 4dancers

Leg warmers

by Catherine L. Tully

Leg warmers are a standard item for most dancers, and the quest to find the perfect pair is an ongoing search. Everyone has different requirements for how they fit and what they look like. When Sara Pickin (and her husband Ryan) reached out to 4dancers to review their version, we were anxious to check them out…

We asked to get one of each style – they offer both a regular and a longer version (Regular – approx. 57 cm / 22″ Extra long – approx. 72 cm / 28″), made from a cotton/polyester blend (90/10%). The cuffs also have elastane in them so they stretch well and retain their shape.

Hand-made is a big sell for me on anything, and these cute leg warmers are no exception. I love the idea that someone actually took the time to create them, and put care into the work. It makes you feel good to put them on! You can tell that thought was put into the design, down to the little stamped card (pictured) that came with hand-written wash instructions.

The leg warmers were comfy, and I liked the slouchy look, as well as the fact that they stayed up better than others I’ve had. They were warm without being bulky, and cute enough that I could wear them to teach or with my cowboy boots out and about. The company name these two have created is “jaffic” – and there are many different color styles to choose from. You can even give them custom measurements if you like and they will make them to fit.

If you’re interested in checking out their work, take a look at their Etsy store and browse around!

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