Category: dance

Matthew Bourne’s choreographic re-imagining of the “Carmen” story in a 1960s midwestern American town where cars rule is a bit of a stretch – but it works. – Sunday Times (London)

Peter Martins’ direction of New York City Ballet has been dissected in detail – but he has also wrought influence on the company’s blue chip school. – New York Times

Terry Teachout travels to Raleigh and has a revelation: “Sit down, dance buffs, because I’ve got news for you: The best full-evening story ballets of the past quarter-century are currently being choreographed right here in the Barbecue Belt by Robert Weiss, artistic director of Carolina Ballet.” – Washington Post

Dancers of the Martha Graham Dance Company are stunned by the suddenness of the company closing last week. – New York Times

“We were presented with the figures of what it would take, in terms of financial support, to continue on and we found that we could not be fair to people [we employed] and go forward. The company and school are closed down and we hope it is temporary.” – Los Angeles Times

Citing major financial difficulties, trustees of the Martha Graham Dance Company have voted to shut down the company. “They haven’t raised the money to go on,” said Graham Center board member Ron Protas, Graham’s heir and head of the trust that owns all of her choreography. – Washington Post

Only three of Ohio Ballet’s 19 dancers have signed contracts for next season, and dancers are protesting their rookie artistic director’s handling of the company. “All the dancers of Ohio Ballet made a pact to walk out if Jeffrey Graham Hughes continued as artistic director. None of the dancers signed their contracts for next season in hopes that the board would have the best interest of the company in mind.” – Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Bolshoi Ballet and Opera are struggling with their own survival. “A crumbling building, mixed critical reviews and shaky finances plague the renowned ballet and opera company as its members rehearse for a tour of the United States.” – The Age (Melbourne) (AP)

How do you rebuild after the war? With dance. “Chechens are a people of great artistry. Through dance they strive to express their anger, their pain, their love of peace.” – New York Times

Australia hosts its first festival devoted to dance movies. Just one question though – how do you define what’s a dance movie? – Sydney Morning Herald