Like so many of the 19th century ballets, it has been subject to some controversy in recent years. Set in a fanciful Hindu temple, choreographed by a Russian to music by an Austrian (Ludwig Minkus), it is accused of colonialist attitudes and insulting stereotypes. - Dance Australia
Both the NBA and the WNBA have, in addition to their "regular" dance crews (the Raiderettes, the Laker Girls, etc.) with members in their 20s, a number of teams with "mature" dance crews. Here's a visit with the Ole Skool Crew, which performs for the WNBA’s L.A. Sparks." - The Cut (MSN)
Choreographer Hillel Kogan calls the work, titled Appropriation, a ballet because "In a symbolic way, ballet is the major appropriator." Yet Kogan also incorporates, among other forms, breakdance, jazz, voguing, Chinese dance theater, various folk dances, Broadway, gymnastics, and capoeira. - The Jerusalem Post
Although choreographers for the stage are represented by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society, the film/television/video industry had no equivalent of SAG-AFTRA or the Writers Guild for dancemakers — until 2022, when the Choreographers Guild was born. Here's a Q&A with a few of its founding leaders. - LA Dance Chronicle
"The ATDF non-profit organization will downsize yet retain its 501c3 status as a nonprofit organization to produce projects and programs in the future. Tap City, the annual New York City Tap Festival which would have celebrated its 24th year, will also be canceled this year." - Dance Informa
Hussein Smko learned his first hip-hop at age 9, from an American soldier in Erbil, and founded a street dance troupe there when he was 13. From there it's been a long journey, with some very good luck, to his debut this week at the Joyce Theater. - The New York Times
Nutcracker in Havana, performed by Acosta's Cuba-based company, Acosta Danza, "will weave traditional Cuban rhythms and dances together with classical ballet, all set to a revised version of Tchaikovsky’s famous musical score by Cuban composer Pepe Gavilondo." - The Guardian
The establishment of a new, all-Ireland dance company has been described as “a new dawn” for the art form in Ireland by the Arts Council which will provide €2 million in funding for the initiative this year. - Irish Times
Why isn’t there an Oscar for best choreography? It’s a question people in the dance world have been asking for decades. And there’s no satisfying answer. - The New York Times
"The Oscars omission carries a special sting: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which presents the Academy Awards, used to celebrate choreography." - The New York Times
"In 1972, hundreds of locals clambered to their seats at Armadillo World Headquarters for one thing only: Sunday night ballet. ... Guests settled in with overflowing baskets of nachos and ice-cold Lone Stars, the smell of marijuana drifting up to the lofted ceilings as the curtain rose." - Austin Monthly
"Highlights of the video include the Bharatnatyam dance form becoming 'the living canvas for seat belt and cabin baggage instructions', with Kathakali and Mohiniyattam forms 'eloquently expressing the prohibition of electronic gadgets and smoking on board' against a backdrop of the backwaters of Kerala." - Business Traveller
"On a broad grassland beneath an Australian sunset, dancers in everything from fishnets to field attire let loose an unchoreographed mishmash of steps, leaps, twirls, and twerks. … To Weliton Menário Costa, its creator, this dance mirrors the one between individuality and conformity in kangaroos." - Science
"The Cowles Center for Dance & The Performing Arts, which operates the Goodale Theater in Minneapolis, will cease operations on March 31. … Due to economic issues prompted by COVID-19, (nonprofit real estate developer) Artspace could no longer support the Cowles Center." - Minnesota Public Radio
Although ticket sales were up for last holiday season's "The Nutcracker" and "Carmina Burana" in January, the boosts weren't matched with the grants and charitable giving MDT needs to stay afloat. - The Star-Tribune (Mpls)
