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Book Review: “The Ballet Lover’s Companion” by Zoë Anderson

April 11, 2016 by 4dancers

51ib3YyFFEL._SX331_BO1,204,203,200_

by Lauren Warnecke

Ballet has been the topic of much debate among dance scholars and writers over the last decade. Authors, critics, and academics have questioned the relevance of an art form with more than 600 years of history, particularly given the fact that much of that history has centered around Euro-centric, imperialist, male dominated subject matter (or Euro-centric, imperialist, male-dominated stereotypes of non-Western themes). Ballet dancers, choreographers, and artistic directors have varying views on how to remain current and inclusive in modern society, with some companies focusing on preserving the classics, others re-imagining or somehow evolving older ballets, and still others trying to push the form into entirely new territory.

Published in 2015, The Ballet Lover’s Companion by Zoë Anderson is a brief dance primer on ballet, with each of its eight chapters dedicated to distinct periods throughout ballet’s long history. In fewer than 350 pages, Anderson sifts through 140 ballets, analyzing their context by examining the social and political eras in which they were created. It’s an exciting (context: exciting for dance nerds like me) update to the slew of western dance history books available in that Anderson actually digs into the late 20th and early 21st century, perhaps replacing Susan Au’s 1988 stalwart on many dance majors’ bookshelves.

The Ballet Lover’s Companion is essentially a less verbose, easier to read, more optimistic version of Jennifer Homans’ Apollo’s Angels; Anderson, a dance critic, is unafraid to infuse the facts with opinion and commentary. For this reader, those are the bits that allowed me to get all the way through the book as a recreational read, but a second, typo-free edition could easily complement a western dance history course given its interesting tidbits of history and thorough treatment of an impressive number of ballets.

That all of those ballets originated from Europe, Russia or the United States is a symptom of ballet’s history, and not necessarily the fault of Zoë Anderson. That only five of the 140 ballets surveyed were created by women (namely Bronislava Nijinska, Agnes de Mille and Twyla Tharp) might be more problematic given the scope of the book into the 2010s, but perhaps again indicative of a systemic problem, and not at all unique to Anderson’s book.

Unlike Au’s Ballet and Modern Dance, or Homans’ Apollo’s Angels, however, The Ballet Lover’s Companion doesn’t appear to identify a clear audience or position itself as a textbook, though it reads like one. One page offers an enlightened discussion on the radicalism of the Ballets Russes and the desire of early 20th century choreographers to abandon classicism for more meaning and authenticity, while the next page gives a definition of the word tendu. Unsure of its audience, The Ballet Lover’s Companion could be for everyone interested in ballet, or no one at all, but my guess is that pre-professional dance students and college dance majors have the most to gain from reading it.


Lauren Warnecke
Lauren Warnecke

Contributor Lauren Warnecke is a freelance dance writer based in Chicago, and regular contributor to SeeChicagoDance.com, Windy City Times, and Chicago Magazine. Lauren is the creator of artintercepts.org, a blog committed to critical discourse about dance and performance, and has written for nationally reputed sites such as Dance Advantage and 4Dancers. An experienced educator, administrator, and producer, Lauren holds degrees in dance (BA) and kinesiology (MS). She is a Certified Personal Trainer (ACSM), and holds specialty certificates in Functional Training (ACE) and Sports Performance and Weightlifting (USAW). Tweet her @artintercepts

Filed Under: 4dancers, Books & Magazines, Reviews Tagged With: apollo's angels, Ballet, Ballet and Modern Dance, dance book review, dance critic, Dance History, Jennifer Homan, lauren Warnecke, Susan Au, The Ballet Lover's Companion, western dance history, Zoe Anderson

Review: Aurorae Aqua Microfiber Towel

February 15, 2016 by 4dancers

81efnbJYUEL._SL1500_Every dancer can use a large towel, whether it’s for wrapping up in after a shower or folding up to tuck under your head to take an impromptu rest between rehearsals. Aurorae sent us one of their extra large microfiber towels from the “Aqua” line to check out, and we really liked the product. Although very durable, this towel is also quite compact and lightweight for its size. We used it after showering, at the lake after a swim, and even rolled it up as a makeshift back support on a long car trip!

The towels are offered in a variety of beautiful colors (pictured above), which were selected based on scenic waterfront locations…think water and beautiful sunsets. Because of the material, they are also quite soft.* Microfiber is a combination of polyester (80%) and polyamide (20%), and it’s water absorbancy is well known.

The size is fantastic–they are 32″ by 68″, large enough to accommodate someone who is 5’6 easily.

If you’re interested in learning more about these towels, visit their site. We think ours is great and can recommend it without hesitation.

*To preserve softness, always wash in cold water and tumble dry low.


This is not an advertorial. No money was accepted for the review, although we did receive a towel at no charge from Aurorae.


Read our review of the Aurorae Synergy Yoga Mat

 

Filed Under: 4dancers, Reviews Tagged With: audience, Aurorae, Aurorae Aqua, microfiber towel, towel, towels for dancers

Robert Joffrey’s Nutcracker – The Final Run

December 5, 2015 by 4dancers

Joffrey's Nutcracker
The Joffrey Ballet presents The Nutcracker. Photo by Cheryl Mann.

by Catherine L. Tully

The Joffrey Ballet opened its holiday classic, The Nutcracker on December 4th at the Auditorium Theatre. Many people have come to see this ballet as a “holiday tradition,” but next year Chicago will ring in a different version of this popular ballet…

A look back…

The current version of The Nutcracker was choreographed by Robert Joffrey in 1987. Performing the same version of this ballet for many years leaves a bittersweet feeling for many dancers as they look to the next season, and reflect on the past years…

This year’s opening night featured a combination of newer company dancers and those who have been around for a while in the cast. The underpinning similarity was that they were all radiant–from the party scene, through the finale. It can be challenging to bring a fresh approach to this ballet after so many years, but the energy was alive in well in the Auditorium on opening night. Of course, it certainly helps to have the live music provided by the Chicago Philharmonic, under the direction of Scott Speck.*

Joffrey’s production is indeed a beautiful one, complete with a stunning snow scene, lovely costumes, and many rich details. It has a very old-fashioned feel to it, which may make it a bit difficult to let go of in order to make room for the new production next year.

Looking forward…

That said, Joffrey has commissioned none other than Tony Award™ winning choreographer Christopher Wheeldon to re-envision the new Nutcracker for 2016, which definitely adds an air of anticipation and excitement to the mix. It also gives people in the Chicago area a unique opportunity to attend the last run of Joffrey’s old favorite one last time before they unveil the new version.

It should be a wonderful year to see this ballet, as the dancers will be putting their all into the roles that will be danced on the stage for the last time. A historic season!


Joffrey’s Nutcracker runs from now until December 27th. Both evening and matinee performances are available.


*Scott Speck is a contributing writer to 4dancers.org

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: Audtorium Theatre, Chicago Nutcracker, chicago philharmonic, christopher Wheeldon, joffrey, Joffrey's Nutcracker, scott speck, the joffrey ballet, the nutcracker

DVD Review: BALLET 422

November 16, 2015 by Rachel Hellwig

by Rachel Hellwig

BALLET 422, a documentary by Jody Lee Lipes, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of Justin Peck’s Paz de la Jolla, his third ballet for New York City Ballet and the company’s 422nd new work.

Without the use of voiceover narration or intermittent interviews, the film shows scenes of Peck dancing alone in the studio for a phone camera, making sketches of steps and formations for the ballet, using his computer as an aid, and giving directives in rehearsal–“isolate the elbows”, “it’s not crispy enough”. But if you’re looking for more detailed insight into his choreographic process and the ideas behind Paz de la Jolla (as a well as the filmmaking process), you’ll want to turn on the commentary by Peck and Lipes in the Special Features section. You’ll have to do this on your second viewing though, because it will be layered over the film’s sound. I found the commentary enriching and I wish it could have been incorporated into BALLET 422 instead being a supplement. Nonetheless, there is an effective, quiet drama evoked in the film’s minimalist approach.

BALLET 422 also features backstage scenes, Peck’s collaboration with costume designers, discussions with lighting director Mark Stanley, and work with the late Albert Evans, former NYCB dancer and ballet master. As for the dance scenes, they give glimpses of the unique qualities of the principals of Paz de la Jolla: the athletic, lightning-speed sprightliness of Tiler Peck (no relation to Mr. Peck), the rebounding energy and charisma of Amar Ramasar, and the understated sophistication of Sterling Hyltin. Moreover, the dance scenes and performance clips capture some of the most exciting elements of Peck’s choreography –the Balanchinian propulsion of speed extended into a digital-age pulse and the prose poetry in his manner of melding contemporary and classical movement.

Magnolia Pictures, 75 minutes.


Purchase this DVD:

Filed Under: DVDs, Reviews Tagged With: amar ramasar, BALLET 422, choreography, dance dvd, dvd review, Justin Peck, new york city ballet, nycb, Paz de la Jolla, review, Sterling Hyltin, Tiler Peck

Review: Dance Inspiration Cards

November 8, 2015 by Rachel Hellwig

by Rachel Hellwig

Dance Inspiration Cards Photo

Seeking inspiration for improvisation and creative dance exercises? Then you’ll want to check out Sari Eran-Herskovitz’s “Dance Inspiration Cards”.

Eran-Herskovitz, an artist with a master’s degree in psychology, has designed 29 cards with illustrations featuring animals, nature, and abstract images. The collection also contains one blank card on which you can draw your own picture or simply use as “a joker representing any image you choose during the game”. The instructions explain that “the aim of the game is to allow experimentation and expansion of the range of self expression through movement”.

Suggestions are offered for different types of group games and the use of background music is encouraged, but there are many ways to use the cards. I enjoyed just going through the deck at home and improvising on my own. In class, teachers may want to stick to the cards depicting animals for younger students as movement ideas will be more readily apparent. For older students, including the abstract images will enhance the challenge. The cards could also be used as prompts for more formal choreography exercises and projects.

Regardless of how you employ them, the “Dance Inspiration Cards” will be a helpful, creative tool in group settings or in individual artistic exploration.

Beautiful idea. Beautifully created.

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: dance class, Dance Inspiration Cards, dance product review, dance products, dance teachers, improvisation, Product review, Sari Eran-Herskovitz

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