DANCE

"Merging two cultural streams — the progressive and the conservative — that many see as mutually exclusive, Prumsodun Ok presents a new outlook on Khmer culture" with his company, Natyarasa, which now consists of ten professional dancers. - VOD (Cambodia)

I started bristling at the commonplace phrase: “my dancers.” And I find it increasingly problematic, especially in light of our woefully overdue national reckoning with systemic racism and the most recent stripping of women’s agency over their own bodies. - Dance Magazine

Accidents in "The Nutcracker" are so common there are injuries named after the ballet. A nutcracker fracture is a foot fracture of the cuboid bone. - Salon

"Here are 12 standout onstage moments from 2022, in chronological order, from large ensemble works to surprise star turns." - Pointe Magazine

"The idea is for the show to be a relaxed, shush-free, shame-free environment. ... House lights will be kept on (and) guests will also be free to move, talk, or dance as they please throughout the show. ... Potentially startling moments during the full-length show will be removed or modified." - CBS San Francisco

Unless, that is, you're already famous; Lizzo's dance videos easily draw a million viewers.  Earlier in TikTok's history, before there were mountains of content, it was easier for an unknown to catch users' attention; now, the pandemic days when folks were cooped up at home watching videos are gone. - Yahoo! (Bloomberg)

"Exorbitant venue rental costs, cultural ignorance, a dismissive response to concerns of racial inequalities and funding models that make artistic careers a bleak option for survival have become a common occurrence in America's finest city." Just ask Jeremy McQueen, founder of the Black Iris Project. - The San Diego Union-Tribune

Considered by many the greatest living ballet choreographer, Ratmansky will have been artist-in-residence at American Ballet Theater for more than 13 years when he steps down upon expiration of his contract next June. - AP

Said one of many Instagram commenters, "This AI art looks like CRAP, I can't believe you did this instead of hiring real artists." Another: "A despicable decision, especially for an arts org." Says a company spokesperson, "In the spirit of Bay Area ingenuity, we tried something new." - The San Francisco Standard

"(This report) details changes among artistic directors, executive directors, associate artistic directors, and resident choreographers at dance venues, ballet companies, contemporary/modern companies, and prominent schools/conservatories." - Dance Data Project

"Going forward, entry-level dancers who pass the main company audition will start as full company members, earning entry-level pay based on a collective-bargaining-agreement scale. ... Last season's roster of 39 company members, six of whom were apprentices, now comprises 40 company dancers and no apprentices." - Pointe Magazine

"Now expenses are high, earned income from ticket sales is limited, touring remains complicated and budget deficits loom large. Against these odds, a few organizations are doing better than ever, thanks to innovative partnerships, new business models, increased commitments by funders ..., or some combination thereof." - Dance Magazine

These trailblazers and breakout stars are forging their own paths through our field. - Dance Magazine

He was, of course, flexible and precise and disciplined, but in addition, "his dancing was animated and enhanced by an all-too elusive quality: a generous spirit." - The New York Times

Biographies of Nijinska, Balanchine, Graham and others. Wendy Perron's annual survey points you to the must-reads. - Wendy Perron