Tag Archives: dance

“The hope is that in rediscovering Chicago, audiences will rediscover what theater was. It was sophisticated, complicated, adult.” — Ann Reinking

It’s her birthday today. When she died last year, the outpouring of tributes and appreciation was truly heart-warming to see. Here’s what I wrote. Ann Reinking’s talent was like her performance persona: larger than life, epic in scope, intimidating. She … Continue reading

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“The energy doesn’t end at the hands. I want such intensity that it feels like light is streaming from every finger.” — Bob Fosse

It’s his birthday today. His work as a director – in films as diverse as Cabaret, Lenny, All That Jazz, and Star 80 is getting a lot of chatter from film critics, and of course that makes sense. I love … Continue reading

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“To me, Martha Graham is one of America’s few authentic geniuses.” – Bette Davis

For Martha Graham’s Birthday: First: Joan Acocella wrote a wonderful profile of Graham for The New Yorker. I discussed it – and Graham – here. In researching this post, I came across a beautiful piece about the time Helen Keller … Continue reading

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Happy Birthday, Rudolf Nureyev

Joan Acocella, dance critic for The New Yorker: Almost everyone who describes Nureyev eventually compares him to an animal. They bore you to death with this, but it was true. Rudolf Nureyev’s solo debut on American TV, 1963 All quotes … Continue reading

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“I am not descended from flesh. I am God.”: It’s Vaslav Nijinsky’s Birthday

From Tennessee Williams’ semi-autobiographical last play, Something Cloudy, Something Clear: CLARE. [to Kip] I’m about to deliver a lecture to him on making concessions in art. KIP. For or against? CLARE. I think any kind of artist — a painter … Continue reading

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“Have you ever noticed how a cat stretches after a nap? We can learn from watching animals.” — Cyd Charisse

Legs for weeks, not days. While there are so many classic and unforgettable dance numbers to choose from, the “Girl Hunt” number from Band Wagon is my favorite. Please read this wonderful tribute to Charisse by my friend, Dan Callahan. … Continue reading

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Review: Can You Bring It: Bill T. Jones And D-Man In The Waters (2021)

This documentary – about Bill T. Jones’ seminal dance “D-Man In the Waters” – is so good. As history lesson, as art appreciation, AND – best of all – a realistic look at the creative process. I loved it. I … Continue reading

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Photo of the Day: Above the fray

This is one of my faves of all the photos I’ve taken. This is a dance studio a couple blocks south of Port Authority on 8th Avenue. A place that gets (or used to get) crazy foot traffic. Total human … Continue reading

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2020 Books Read

What a year, huh. What a dumpster-fire year. I read a lot, mostly in the mornings, and it helped create rituals for the days, which often seemed endlessly the same, interchangeable. I read a lot of long and challenging books … Continue reading

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Year in Review: Shooting My Mouth Off in 2020, Part 2

Here’s part 1, a list of things I’ve written for other outlets. This list, then, is a hodge-podge of the things I’ve written here this year. Anyone familiar with this joint knows that I do tribute posts for people’s birthdays. … Continue reading

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