ABT recently re-worked their “Sleeping Beauty”, not story wise, but some of the choreography and Sunday I was lucky enough to have the chance to see the American Ballet Theater Company preform “Sleeping Beauty” (thanks Mom). My younger brother Patrick was more lucky, he was a super (ballet extra) for the show and got to be on stage with the dancers! It was incredible.
Although ABT is not my favorite company (Joffrey holds that spot) and “Sleeping Beauty” is not my favorite ballet (I LOVE Romeo and Juliet) it does have one of my favorite variations, the Lilac Fairy variation. I love it dearly and “Veronika Part” was lovely dancing it.
Veronika Part
Paloma Herrera also did an amazing job at her role (Princess Aurora). I’ve seen her perform three times now and she is one of my favorite dancers to watch.
Paloma Herrera
As was Angel Corella (Prince Desire)
Angel Corella
But perhaps my favorite dancer of the afternoon was Jared Matthews who played the Blue Bird. The height on his jumps alone made him one of the most impressive male dancers I have ever seen, and the suspension in his turns… He was just… What’s the word I’m searching for? Captivating.
Jared Matthews
All in all it was a beautiful performance. I often like to sit close during Ballets so I can truly take in all of the dancing. However, being in the last balcony has it’s advantages. It’s like watching a screen, you get to see everything all at once, and perhaps best of all, you can take in the beauty of the theater.
I’ll leave you with some photos I took (full of good memories though some lack detail), of the amazing Civic Opera House, and the very talented American Ballet Theater.
The Round Lake Area Park District just put a on a cute little 45 minute show “Peter Pan”. Since I know the most of the cast and crew (and since this is the last Dance/Theater show they will be doing for awhile) I decided to go and watch. This version incorporated Disney Music, both from the movie and the covers that various artists have done on Disney Mania.
The choreography was very fun and the kids seemed to be enjoying themselves (which I think, in a show like this, is the most important thing).
Some of my students and former students were in the cast. The 3 Choreographers were also my students (and class mates). Well done ladies! You really made the kids come together and it was a joy to watch. I hope you enjoyed it as much as the kids seemed to!
And now… Photos from the show.
Waiting for the show to start
The Stars Dance (with flashlights… look at the pretty patterns!)
I just got back from an amazing performance at the “North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.
The “Evanston Dance Ensemble” put on a fabulous show to Beetles music called FAB!
Some of my favorite dances in this show included “Blackbird” (choreographed by Eddy Ocampo) a fast paced solo performed by male dancer Zada Cheeks, a member of Especially Tap Chicago, BAM! and also the Corpo Dance Company. I am not normally drawn to jazzy dances (I’m more of a contemporary ballet/modern girl) but this piece was amazing. At one point in the dance Zada goes from a kneeling position and rolls up over his feet to a standing position. Standing that is… On the tops of his toes, in jazz shoes. WOW!
“Hello Goodbye” (choreographed by Christina Ernst) was also very good. Although on the simpler side as far as dance moves the thoughts and story behind this dance are great. The dance starts off with a girl standing center stage, she watches as an older man and woman come on stage and apparently meet, followed by a younger man and woman. They are soon joined by a boy (about the same age as the girl) and two children (also a boy and girl). It was a very nice dance about a family and being together. I really can’t do the dance justice here but it was truly touching the way emotions were conveyed. At the end it is apparent that the older woman (the grandmother) is no longer with us and the dancers pass a “ball” of air to each other, perhaps passing her memory to one another. The dance ends with Grandma standing with her back to the audience and the rest of the dancers watching as the two children lift the air cupped in their hands towards the sky. As I said, I cannot truly do the dance justice, but I had to try to explain it because it was really worth noting. It was just a heart warming dance.
This was the third time I have seen this company perform (I previously attended “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” and “2007 a Dance Odyssey”) and each time I am impressed by how the dancers are showcased. The dancers in this company are truly talented, they perform alongside the professional guest dancers and blend beautifully. Truth be told, my favorite dancers from the show were not the professionals but members of the company. These young artists obviously enjoy what they do and their stage presence is astounding. Both the Artistic Directors (Bea Rashid and Christina Ernst) and the dancers should be very proud of the work they do. Well done!
I stumbled upon this video right before Christmas and became obsessed with the sport. Take a look and I’m sure you’ll figure out why. (the video is rather long, and has a couple of bad music cuts… This is however, the best montage I have seen. even if you don’t watch the whole thing, be sure to watch the first two minutes. I think the whole thing is great, but then… I am obsessed)
It’s called Rhythmic Gymnastics and these girls and young women are incredibly talented. The amount of turning they are able to do, the flexibility they show and the control they have to catch things thrown high in the air after tumbling is just spectacular (and with their legs no less!). The things that they do with their bodies borders on contortion (and in many cases is) and I am just fascinated by it. I’ve spent weeks reading about Rhythmic Gymnastics and finding every You Tube video of it. I had no idea that there was anything out there like this, it combines the best parts of gymnastics floor routines, with some of my favorite ballet moves. Had I seen this as a child, I may have had a different calling. If I was younger and more flexible I may have thought about trying to find somewhere to get training. ::sigh::
You would have thought that since it was an olympic sport that I would have heard of it, well… I am constantly amazed by how many things I have failed to notice. I will be sure to watch this sport during this summers games.
