Apollinaire Scherr to speak on dance criticism

Critic, journalist and blogger Apollinaire Scherr invites you to her keynote address at the Dance Critics Association Conference this Friday, July 16 (9:30am) at NYU Kimmel Center at 60 Washington Square South. Get directions and more nifty details at Scherr's own blog post here.

Scherr's topic?

"How to write criticism that leaves room for dance's future"

She promises answers that are "provisional, hopeful and possibly cause for debate and fuming."

So, if you're up for some fuming, but you're not registered for the DCA conference, Scherr has a deal for you. You can get into the keynote event for a mere $8. But you absolutely must click here to pay in advance, okay?

BTW, if you do go to the DCA conference, you'll find me--your friendly grassroots blogger--on a panel at Dance Theater Workshop with Eiko of Eiko & Koma, writer Valerie Gladstone, presenter Baraka Sele, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar of Urban Bush Woman, and writer Lori Ortiz (moderator). We're talking Cultural Exchange in 2010. I hope to see you there!

Apollinaire Scherr reflects the Moon Walker

Moon Walker
by Apollinaire Scherr, foot in mouth, ArtsJournal, June 27, 2009

UC Berkeley plan threatens phys ed dance

University of California budget cuts threaten to wipe out UCB dance classes
by Apollinaire Scherr, foot in mouth, ArtsJournal.com, April 19, 2009

Julian Barnett: Body and Soul podcast

Danspace Project will present Sound Memory--a full-evening world premiere by the talented young dancer-choreographer Julian Barnett. Barnett joins me to talk about this work, inspired by the influence of old audio technology--music cassette tapes--on memory and imagination.

Sound Memory at Danspace Project at St. Mark's Church, Thursday-Saturday, 8:30pm.

Schedule and ticketing information or 866-811-4111

Julian Barnett Web site

Dance critic and blogger Apollinaire Scherr's essay on a preview of Sound Memory can be found here.

(c)2009, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

MP3 File

Reflections, revelations: the Ailey anniversary

Theresa Ruth Howard guest blogs on the 50th anniversary of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
foot in mouth, July 28, 2008

What I like about Apollinaire

Dance critic Apollinaire Scherr takes a good look at Neil Greenberg's Really Queer Dance with Harps

What I like about him
by Apollinaire Scherr, foot in mouth (ArtsJournal), July 5, 2008

Scherr upgrades Macaulay report card

In Macaulay Watch, dance blogger (Foot in Mouth) and journalist (Newsday) Apollinaire Scherr considers the Times's top guy's on-the-job training and manages to upgrade his marks. Lately, though, I think the Times should be doing a better job all around. With its overall rollout of dance writing that ranges from lethargic to vitriolic, does anyone really think the Times is giving the dance capital of America the coverage it needs and deserves?

Honest transcendence: Scherr writes on Vishneva

Double Exposure: Diana Vishneva plays both sides.
by Apollinaire Scherr, New York Magazine, February 10, 2008

Simply gorgeous Trisha Brown

My colleague Apollinaire Scherr had this simply gorgeous interview with choreographer Trisha Brown in this past Sunday's Newsday. You must read it!

Scherr on that Buenos Aires sizzle

'Tango Fire' sizzles at the Joyce Theater
by Apollinaire Scherr, Newsday.com, December 18, 2007

Critics tell it like it is

My December 5th blog essay about taking friends to dance concerts has generated a lot of fun in the dance blogosphere. Apollinaire Scherr and Tonya Plank chime in at Foot in Mouth, and your participation is invited. And my buddy and former editor Tobi Tobias courageously takes the wraps off a five-year-old essay the editor of The Dance Insider warned her against making public! It's brilliant, comprehensive and hilarious. A must-read!

Scherr and readers take on Times critic Macaulay

Apollinaire Scherr and her Foot in Mouth blog readers take up the issue of Alastair Macaulay, chief dance critic of The New York Times: Click here.

Hot Rumsey

by Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Since the combination of hot flashes and hot dance spaces don't work particularly well for me, I had planned to avoid St. Mark's as much as possible this summer. But, thanks to a great tip from fellow critic and blogger Apollinaire Scherr, I found myself sweating it out at a Danspace Project presentation last night where I fell in love with little virtue, a new piece by Glen Rumsey Dance Project. You have two more chances left to see what I mean--tonight and tomorrow--and the weather has cooled down a little bit anyway.

Bring a big fan--the folding kind. Danspace provides the bottled water. And you'll get to see a lush production that will haunt your dreams--gloriously magickal, whimsically gender-blending choreography performed by Rumsey (whose Cunningham pedigree shows in his divine, streamlined dynamics) and eight superb dancers with Carol Mullins's top-notch lighting and charming costumes by David Quinn. Rumsey and Todd Williams, costumed by Tara McManus, interpolate a wild duet from Rumsey's Exquisite Corpse (2006), managing to look hectic and decadently sexy while moving apart and together like wads of pink bubblegum chewed on either side of a huge, invisible jaw.

Glen Rumsey Dance Project is only a couple of years old but already it has a forthright, authoritive--if nutty--stamp. It's a big deal. I look forward to seeing it again. Hell, I would not have minded if last night's show had stretched on. Hot as it was, it was hot!

(c)2007 Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Theresa Ruth Howard reflects on Dance/NYC Race and Dance Forum

Dancer, dance teacher and writer Theresa Ruth Howard (most recently noted for her work with Armitage Gone! Dance) has written a report on Dance/NYC's community forum on Race and Dance, and you can read it now on Apollinaire Scherr's dance blog, Foot in Mouth.

Dance critics on WNYC's Soundcheck program today

Dance critics Apollinaire Scherr of Newsday and Claudia La Rocco of The New York Times will be interviewed on John Schaefer's Soundcheck program this afternoon at 2pm EDT on WNYC. The topic: the future of ballet. Tune in at 93.9FM or click here to listen live.