Reviews – Page 14

Experiencing Ballet Hispanico

April 1, 2012 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

Asuka 3 (c) Paula Lobo — Ballet Hispanico Performing Asuka, Photo by Paula Lobo

I recently had the chance to see Ballet Hispanico for the first time at The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, and it was an interesting experience. The program for the evening included four pieces: Naci, Locked Up Laura, Espiritu Vivo and Asuka.

Unless something strikes me in a particularly strong way, I find I usually don’t say too much the first time I watch a company on stage–especially if they are performing works I have not seen before. Instead I prefer to let the evening wash over me a bit so I can get a feel for the style, the dances being presented and the overall dynamic that the company puts forth. What I was left with after walking out of the theatre here can be summed up in one word–honesty.

There is an earnestness and ease that the dancers had–and it felt very genuine. This was especially so during the more upbeat portions of the choreography; as if expressing joy came a bit more naturally than anything else. Indeed, the choreography took a back seat to the personalities of the dancers here. This is especially true of Jessica Alejandra Wyatt, who dazzled the audience with more than her sequined dress in Eduardo Vilaro’s Asuka – a tribute to salsa legend Celia Cruz.

Other images that stand out from the offerings here include Min-Tzu Li’s gorgeous extension during Locked Up Laura and company member Jamal Rashann Callender–who simply commands attention every time he steps onto the stage. The dancers in Ballet Hispanico are strong technicians with beautiful, athletic bodies–which adds another layer of visual appeal.

I’ll look forward to seeing them again the next time they come to Chicago.

Learn more about the company and the dances in their repertory.

Review: Paradice Pack

March 1, 2012 by 4dancers

You know how a bag of frozen vegetables works wonders in terms of being able to wrap it around an injury and take down the swelling? So does a Paradice Pack–but you don’t have to worry about the food inside going bad.

This handy pack has little fluid-filled balls inside it (kind of like peas) that stay cold, yet allow the pack to mold to the shape that you need. There are several different models–choose from “cuff” style or a flat pack, depending on what you need. I used the flat pack (see photo) and thought it was great.

The Paradice Pack has a soft fabric shell which eliminates the need for a towel or cloth, which you need to use for a gel pack or frozen veggies to protect the skin from damage. This was one of the best parts about the pack in my opinion, and I really can’t imagine why nobody did this before. (At least I’ve never seen it.)

Dancers often need to use an ice pack for one reason or another, and this one is a good pick. Plus it’s a family business, so you can feel good about supporting it. If you’re interested in learning more about these unique ice packs or purchasing one for yourself, visit their website.

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Review: Every Step You Take by Jock Soto

December 5, 2011 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

I’m fascinated by the lives of dancers. Even though I was one, I can never seem to get past the fact that each of us has such a distinctly different path–and a totally unique perspective on what it is like to live this life.

Because of that, I was excited to read Every Step You Take, a memoir written by Jock Soto (with Leslie Marshall). After all, this is a man that I grew up watching in the ballet world. Soto was a principal dancer with NYCB when he retired at the age of 40, and this book begins with the end of his career on stage. A peek inside the thoughts and fears that swirl around one’s head when the final performance looms, I thought it was a great opener.

Where, I thought, will this book go from here? [Read more…]

Review: “Dancing Keys” by Gill Civil

November 16, 2011 by 4dancers

This is one of two ballet class music CDs by Gill Civil. Keep an eye out for the other review, coming up soon.

“Dancing Keys” has 28 tracks–all original works that were played and composed by Civil. I really do love the original ballet class music CDs. I think it adds another level of artistry to the class environment to use compositions that were created with this particular dance form in mind. Adapted pieces are fine–and many people like them. I just prefer original work.

I believe this would be a perfect CD for an adult ballet class or beginner/intermediate class. The music is clear and metered, and the selection is good. The reason I wouldn’t use it for an advanced ballet class is because the barre is on the short side. Other than that, it is appropriate. Tracks are of adequate length–neither too short, nor too long.

The centre music is plentiful, with tracks that include sautes, allegro, waltz, gavotte and adage. I found the music inspiring and beautiful. I think it is such a challenge to come up with tracks that have heart in them, and Civil is able to do so. She has quite a background in the field, having played for schools and companies in New Zealand, Canada and Australia–she’s no newbie to this type of music and it shows.

If you would like to hear samples of the music on “Dancing Keys” or if you want to purchase a CD to use for teaching, visit her website.

Review: Black Swan

October 28, 2011 by 4dancers

by Catherine L. Tully

Better late than never–right?

It has taken me a long while to get around to doing this review. I was hesitant about watching this movie–not sure if I wanted to see what the depiction was of the ballet world. Somehow I knew it would fall short, and for me it did.

As I had heard, the movie rang true to overarching stereotypes of ballet dancers and what goes on behind the scenes, and I found myself disappointed that it didn’t try a little harder to stretch beyond the typical. After all, not every director is “grabby”, not every retiring ballerina is morose and suicidal, and not every dance mom is overbearing. It would have been nice to depart a bit from these images and strive to create real characters with dimension rather than falling back on old, tired images of these roles. Here, the director played it safe, but, admittedly, it is difficult subject matter to tackle. Still, it would have been nice to have had more range.

The behind-the-scenes look into the ballet world was again somewhat typical, but served as a decent bit of background for those who may not be aware of what goes on in a dance company. Many dancers can relate to things such as the cramped physical therapy office, the nerves as everyone checks the board for their name when ballets are posted and the hush that comes over a room when the director appears.

I loved the scene where you get to see how pointe shoes are “worked” and broken in and the realism of the dancers sitting around in the hallway with their ballet bags. How true, how true. Still, it would have been wonderful to have a little more of that–I think it would have helped explain dancers in a way that would have helped make sense of things better in the movie. After all, there is a lot more to the life of a ballet dancer than people may realize. [Read more…]

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