Happy Samhain!

To my pagan kin, Happy Samhain!

To everyone else, Happy Halloween!

Processing Forsythe

William Forsythe's "i don't believe in outer space" at BAM
by Emeri Fetzer, DancePulp, October 29, 2011

What's next for The Black Swan?

No, not that one!

Click below to read about Black ballerina Aesha Ash's Swan Dreams Project.

The Black Swan Diaries: The Next Step
by Aesha Ash, The Black Swan Diaries, October 29. 2011

"The wordless joy of freedom"

Pearl Primus performs The Negro Speaks of Rivers (1944)

I have been much preoccupied with joy recently, as you might have seen in previous posts. Peggy Topf Schwartz--co-author, with Murray Schwartz, of The Dance Claimed Me--reminded me, just a short while ago, that October 29 was the day of Pearl Primus' passing in 1994.

“I dance not to entertain, but to help people better understand each other . . . because through dance I have experienced the wordless joy of freedom. I see it more fully now for my people and for all people everywhere.” --Pearl Primus

Schönberg on looking at dance

Presented by FORA.tv, Bessie Schönberg: How to Look at Dance (1986)

Bessie Schönberg: How to Look at Dance from Jacob's Pillow Dance on FORA.tv Jacob's Pillow, as part of their Virtual Pillow initiative, has edited and published online this 1986 video. In it, Ms. Schönberg shares valuable perspective and experience, advising dancers and audiences to "Leave your mind with your coat...and just go in as a being." It is the Pillow's hope by making this available online that the dance community can continue to benefit from Ms. Schönberg's wisdom.

And more joy...Ailey students!

Ailey School students with Dr. Charmaine Warren (far right, in brown) and Brian McCormick (center, peace signs) (c)2011, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

A very fond thank you to Dr. Charmaine Warren and students of her seminar at The Ailey School for welcoming me and my colleague Brian McCormick today, for your thoughtful and fun questions about dance criticism and your superb attentiveness.

Please let me encourage you, once again, to bring your fierce passion, vision and unique selves to everything that you do out in the world! We need you! Bring it!

Dance...and words

What I learned This Week about Words and Using Them
by Christine Jowers, The Dance Enthusiast, October 26, 2011

James Hillman, 85

James Hillman, Therapist in Men’s Movement, Dies at 85
by Benedict Carey, The New York Times, October 27, 2011

Islamic galleries open at the Met

The Met’s New Islamic Galleries
by Holland Cotter, The New York Times, October 27, 2011

TenduTV offers new ways to savor dance

Live dance is a powerful force, but when you're away from the theater, fantastic dance and its talented creators can also be as close as your fingertips. Visit TenduTV, the new source for high-quality dance media featuring concert performances, documentaries and interviews available for streaming or download. Watch the best in dance on your tv, tablet or mobile device--anywhere that you are. Get started with TenduTV.

Coming up at The Joyce Theater: 

MacArthur Award winner Martha Clarke and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Alfred Uhry present Angel Reapers, November 29-December 11. Lust among the the 18th Century Shakers! 

See this now, from TenduTV:  Martha Clarke: Light and Dark (60 min.)

Directed by Joyce Chopra, Light and Dark follows dancer/choreographer Martha Clarke’s creative process for a year, as she finds her own voice as a choreographer following her departure from Pilobolus. Winner of the 1980 Dance on Camera Festival.

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