Tag: New York

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Christmas is Coming…

 

…and it’s getting cold! Which I hate. Cold makes me think of death. Although, I was just skimming my newish Complete New Yorker (which I won by taking one of those New Yorker marketing surveys — people actually do win those!) and I ran across a review from 1988 by Arlene Croce of Edward Villella and Miami City Ballet, which I read with interest since it’s kind of timely (the company will be coming to City Center in January for the first time in a while). Anyway, in explaining why Villella had a bit of a hard time getting his company off the ground, Croce noticed that ballet seems to thrive in cold climates where people wear heavy coats, like Russia and northern Europe and New York. Too much sun, too much natural beauty, and no indoor culture. Anyway, will try to think of winter that way: it’s because I’m freezing my tush off that I have ballet in my life…

 

 

So, I had my class — first in I don’t know how long, but over a year at least. It was advanced Cha Cha at Stepping Out, with Jules Helm (above, in jeans and black shirt), a very nice, patient, and thorough teacher (we began with 20 minutes of stretching, working just about every part of the body, including the foot, which not many teachers spend time with and which I need because my feet tend to cramp. So I didn’t need my set of ridiculously shallow warm-up plies that I did at home, during which I nearly twisted my hip out of its socket… I am really prone to hurting myself…)

I was sent to the studio to write a review of the class by Explore Dance. It was a very comfy, homey, social atmosphere, not at all threatening, which was good because I’d intended to take the intermediate class, but, long story short, ended up in advanced. The routine Jules taught us was fun and challenging without being too crazy hard and I managed to get the steps down, though my technique was heinous and I’ve once again forgotten how to balance in heels (not that I ever knew). At one point I nearly flew over sideways after a double spiral (two spins in which you put one foot in front of the other and turn a full rotation without picking your feet off the ground) and took my partner down with me. The male students were thankfully very nice though — which was a welcome change from some of the other studios I’ve been to. Anyway, will post to the (serious) Explore Dance review when it’s up.

Oh and my old teacher Luis was there (teaching now at three studios); so fun to run into him!

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Sunday Perusing

If you’re having a lazy Sunday afternoon, here’s some reading. Some of these links are a bit old; you may have read them already:

Joan Acocella on San Francisco Ballet (she likes at least two of the same dancers as I, and gives a good overview on the company and reasoning behind its repertoire);

Robert Gottlieb reviews a new book on Balanchine by Nancy Goldner (whose writing sounds comfortably accessible, almost bloggy!) in the NY Review of Books;

Apollinaire Scherr on how to view a Wheeldon ballet, and suggestions for Wheeldon’s future in this troubled economy;

James Wolcott, in his usual hilariously hyperbolical manner, recounts his experience with ABT’s new ballet Citizen;

Alex Ross explains what went wrong between the original Doctor Atomic and the Met’s version of the opera;

Claudia La Rocco laments Gerard Mortier’s decision not to take on the directorship of New York City Opera and wonders what will happen with the planned Brokeback Mountain opera (which I was really looking forward to);

Counter Critic reflects on the passage of Proposition 8 in California.

Happy Sunday, everyone. I’m off to cover my first dance class for Explore Dance. First, meaning, I’ve never written formally about a dance class before… Please wish me luck!

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Radio City Christmas Spectacular

 

My friend and fellow blogger, Taylor Gordon, is dancing in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular this year. She invited me to their dress rehearsal yesterday evening, which was more like opening night — the huge theater was completely packed and the show was totally smooth; no glitches at all.

Somewhat ridiculously, in my 15 years in New York, this is actually the first time I’ve ever been to the Christmas show. I’ve been in Radio City Music Hall to see musical artists (like Whitney Houston, long long ago) and have seen the Rockettes perform very briefly at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, but this was my first time at the actual show.

I was so blown away. The Rockettes are absolutely amazing in their spectacular formations — with many difficult-looking formation changes — and incredible synchronicity. I see now why they’re so legendary.

The show was mostly song and dance with a small playlet about two young boys meeting Santa and Santa eventually convincing the older, more skeptical one of his magical abilities, which I thought went on a bit too long. But all the musical numbers were a thrill and really kind of made you want to get up and sing and dance yourself. Not to sound corny, but it really does get you into the holiday spirit. I’ve been kind of nervous and depressed lately and this got me out of my blue funk.

And it was such a thrill to see Taylor on that huge stage! She had a part as a dancing bear in this little Nutcracker scene at the beginning, and then as a “tourist” skipping and dancing her way through Central Park and other NYC tourist attractions. She was of course excellent! And she was also in a Santa number (all dancers dressed in heavy Santa costumes) which completely blew me away — I totally thought the Santa dancers were the Rockettes!

I took a few more pics and have a mini photo album here (click on thumbnails for a short caption). Also, Taylor’s been keeping a great journal of her experiences with the show on her blog.

Thank you, Taylor. It was magical 🙂

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Harlem on Election Night

Wow, look at the streets of Harlem two nights ago. The Lower East Side was nothing like this, though there was a great deal of honking and small groups of people pumping their fists in the air and cheering as they passed you on the street. And people who didn’t know each other hugged in the subways. Which of course is not exactly how New York is often perceived. But looks like Harlem had a regular street party!

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More cheering

More cheering

Originally uploaded by swan lake samba girl via mobile.


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In the subway stations, and on the train everyone is wearing these little bashful smiles like they can’t hold it in. I’ve never seen the city quite like this.

Although, sad thing, but as I got home to my neighborhood and saw several people asleep on the street, bundled up in building alcoves, it was a sobering reminder of how much he has to deal with now. Then, a homeless man asked me for money — seemed not to have even seen the election, or known there was one.