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DANCE

U.S. Ballet Companies Are — Gradually — Performing More Works By Female Choreographers

Dance Data Project's latest report says that in "ballet and classically inspired companies" the vast majority of the repertoire was created by male choreographers, but that the ratio has changed from nearly ¾-¼ to more like ⅔-⅓ — with near parity for mixed bills of new works. - Dance Data Project

The Incredible Lightness Of Becoming A Ballet Star

Unity Phelan, who made three debuts in one week this seasons, says, "I always try to keep it light even when I’m just stressed out ... I think if I can convince myself that it’s OK, then I am OK." - The New York Times

Storied Ballerina Lauren Anderson Gets Her Story Told In Houston

"When Lauren Anderson was promoted to principal dancer at Houston Ballet in 1990, she made history as one of the first Black women to be a principal at a major American ballet company." Now, the dancer sees her own story on stage. - The New York Times

Parkour Dancers In Paris Have Become Anti-Light Pollution Activists

"Groups of young athletes practicing Parkour ... have been swinging around big French cities switching off wasteful shop signs at night, in a bid to fight light pollution and save energy." And with Europe facing an energy crisis, their work is more timely than ever. - The New York Times

The Very Antithesis Of A Modern Major Ballet Company: SFDanceworks

Interim artistic director Dana Genshaft: "What attracted me was that SFDW felt like going camping: leaving structures of a big machine behind, self-producing, finding joy in casualness, simplicity. ... (I've also heard our audiences express liking access and proximity, performances in a small house.)" - Pointe Magazine

Why Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui Is So Pleased To Be Taking Over Geneva’s Ballet

"Although I was born in Flanders, I sometimes feel like a foreigner because of my background and the way my life has gone. In Geneva, at least I am a real foreigner! I often feel ... shared between several cultures, and in Geneva, I am happy to find real multiculturalism." - Bachtrack

Ballroom Dance Was Created By And For Prancing Aristocrats.  How Did It Get To Be Part Of Popular Culture?

"Although ballrooms were once the territory of the elite and considered off-limits for common people, in the upheaval of the 19th century, new types of dance steps were born. ... Here's how some of the most famous moves got their start — and were passed on to modern dancers." - National Geographic

Glasgow Clubs Are Using Dancers’ Body Heat To Save Power

Officially launched on 6 October, Bodyheat is installed across two of the largest event spaces within the SWG3 complex – Galvanizers and TV Studio – as well as in its lobby. A sold-out gig in Galvanizers – which has a capacity of 1,250 – could generate 800 kilowatt hours in heat. - The Guardian

Story Time: How To Watch Dance

“Be sure to read the programme beforehand” is critic’s shorthand for a very confusing story. But Scottish Ballet founder Peter Darrell used to say that if you have to read the programme, a ballet has failed in its job. - The Guardian

Ten Of The Bolshoi’s Star Dancers Get Suspended For Doing A Gala In Uzbekistan (Really?)

They missed no performances in Moscow to do the gig, and while the official reasons given for the suspension were the gala's marketing (not the dancers' responsibility) and not having asked permission (it's not exactly credible that the boss didn't know).  So what's the real reason? - Gramilano (Milan)

A Major Cheating And Competition-Fixing Scandal Hits The Competitive Irish Dance World

"The prestigious global body that governs Irish dancing has this week been rocked by what is believed to be its largest ever alleged cheating scandal. It has seen some of the most successful and well-regarded Irish dance teachers and schools accused of 'fixing' competitions for their own students." - Irish Independent

This Denver Dance Company Quit Social Media. Here’s What Happened

We've never seen a measurable connection between our activity on social media and ticket sales. And we have never had any measurable number of people say they found out about Wonderbound through social media. - Denver Gazette

The Role Of Body Percussion

Clapping, stomping and striking body parts from head to feet in rhythmic or repetitive ways is a timeless means of human interchange, whether for pleasure, protest, entertainment, ritual, healing or survival. -Dance Magazine

Realigning: Ballet For The Rest Of Us

Founded in Los Angeles in 2011 by Michael Cornell, the Align Ballet Method was born out of a desire to make ballet approachable for adults, despite whether they know a “tendu” from a “dégagé.” While adult ballet has long existed, it is niche and has little marketing presence. - Los Angeles Times

A Dance Version Of “The Matrix”, Staged By The Director Of “Slumdog Millionaire”

Danny Boyle is creating a "large-scale immersive performance" of the landmark science-fiction movie for the new performance venue The Factory International in Manchester next year.  The choreographer will be Kenrick "H2O" Sandy, with designs by Es Devlin, music by composer Michael "Mikey J" Asante, and book by Sabrina Mahfouz. - BBC

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