"As a wordless art, dance travels well. With strong links to the Kremlin, the Bolshoi has been hailed as Russia's 'secret weapon' by former prime minister Dmitry Medvedev, sent abroad to 'achieve our goals', he said, unabashed about using the ballet studio as an arsenal of soft power." - The Guardian
Sarah Kaufman: "To better understand the pressures facing these artists and how they'll affect audiences, I spoke with presenters, consultants and company leaders about what's happening now, and what the longer-term story may be." - MSN (The Washington Post)
Academies at top companies all over western and central Europe have given refuge to more than 60 young dance students since the war started, with more coming. - NPR
It was announced on Wednesday that Olga Smirnova, who was born and raised in St Petersburg, has now joined the Dutch National Ballet, where she will start immediately alongside the Brazilian soloist Victor Caixeta, who has left the Mariinsky Ballet in St Petersburg in response to the war. - The Guardian
"Until the fall, Lauren Lovette was an esteemed principal at New York City Ballet, but now she has crossed over into modern dance and has been named the first resident choreographer at the Paul Taylor Dance Company." - The New York Times
You have to ask: why are people in the theatre? With dance, especially classical ballet, it still often does have to do with some celebratory facet. If someone does a triple turn in the air, we all applaud. This guy prevailed over physics and centrifugal force. - The Guardian
Known simply as Yuriko, she could project innocence, serenity or a mystical quality onstage. Yuriko also starred on Broadway in The King and I and Flower Drum Song, later staging productions of the former. - Dance Magazine
"It's better now. Back in the day, I might as well have been a radio in the corner." "Sometimes I see a dancer who I think is totally compelling and I mention it to the teacher, who then explains all the things wrong with their technique." - Pointe Magazine
Among the statistics in this report are that, in 2021, two-thirds of US dance festivals studied were headed by women, almost two-thirds of the works recorded and streamed were by women (though only 38% of live works), and festivals directed by women present more choreography by women. - Dance Data Project
The charity was set up by conductor Valery Gergiev, a high-profile friend of Vladimir Putin, with the main goal of supporting St Petersburg’s Mariinsky theatre – one of the best-known cultural institutions in Russia – and promoting its work in the UK. - The Guardian
"Copyrighting choreography is not impossible, but historically it’s been easier to win legal protection within more traditional forms such as ballet or modern dance. But JaQuel Knight is fighting to have music video and social media choreography to be seen in the same light." - Fast Company
For Black artists, hair extends beyond aesthetic or presentation. It is a reflection of the self, an unassailable marker of cultural identity and all of the stereotypes and misconceptions that come from racialized status. - Pointe
"So what is owed to the creators of the choreography that's helping movies, television shows, music videos, and social media campaigns earn millions of dollars? About a year ago, … A consensus emerged: They deserved better. And many of them were ready to fight for it." - The New York Times
"Amy Taylor, the director of production for Kansas City Ballet who also manages shoe orders, says, 'I've had to go to one of (my dancers) and say, 'Hey, you don't have any shoes in stock. Do you need another bottle of Jet Glue?'" Hannah Foster provides an explainer. - Pointe Magazine
Dance Reflections, which will be held in a different city each year, debuts in London March 9-23 with a program featuring contemporary classics by Lucinda Childs, Merce Cunningham, and Trisha Brown as well as newer works by the likes of Boris Charmatz and SERAFINE1369. - Dance Magazine
