the art of dance

Escenic Arts Festival 2008, Panama City

2008-04-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Starting from tomorrow April 3 until Monday, Panama City will be welcoming several artists and dance academies from diverse countries, in commemoration of the FAE 2008 (Festival de Artes Escenicas). Dance groups from Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, Costa Rica, Colombia, Spain, and the US will be performing and offering workshops during this festival.
I really wanted to be there, because the festival is held every two years. I went to the last one in 2006 and even participated in a two-day seminar with a very recognized modern dance choreographer from Costa Rica. I also had the honor to participate in it with Milvia Martinez, which is one of the most outstanding modern dance ballerinas in Panama. This year she will be presenting her last piece, and also sharing the stage with Analida Galindo the most renowned modern dance ballerina in my country. When I read yesterday the news about this event that these professionals were dancing together, I felt very excited because for sure it will be a spectacle that no one should miss. Yet, I will be the one missing it.

Out of this world - video above

2008-03-12T12:01:00.000-07:00

This is just unbelievable. The beauty and gracefulness of ballet combined with the breathtaking gymnastics: awesome. This Chinese couple who worked for years to get this piece done, are masters of arts by putting into real practice what a lot of people believe it is not possible.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5lN96dgt_Y

Dance activity in Panama

2008-01-29T13:41:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone. I know there has been long time since I wrote my last post. I was on my break of classes and went back home to Panama. It lasted about a month and a half and feels like little. Once you are with family and friends again, it’s hard to realize that you have to return for classes that are about to start. And it’s even harder when you are enjoying warm summer weather at the beach, to suddenly start freezing at the north.
Anyways, referring to the main theme in here there was a quite active dance period in Panama. All dance academies and schools had their final performances of the year where girls from different ages demonstrate what they have learned. During the mid of December there was this aerial dance festival for 5 consecutive days in which national and international dance companies presented their numbers. I heard critiques and comments about it saying that the performances were great. There was also a Nutcracker presentation for two nights after Christmas, conformed by Panamanians young dancers from different academies and schools, directed by the Polish choreographer Marek Cholewa. I believe Cholewa goes to Panama every year or every two years to work on big ballets, since a long time ago. I even auditioned once for the Nutcracker he was directing some years ago. Unfortunately I couldn’t attend to any of these performances during my stay at home.
Now back in school, I will keep posting every often about dance and interesting things related to it.

OK Go - Here It Goes Again

2007-12-11T13:53:00.001-08:00

here is the treadmill video

Performance: a gift from the dancer to the audience

2007-12-11T13:22:00.000-08:00

Referring to some videos that I saw about the different dance techniques of two great figures in modern dance, Jose Limon and Alwin Nikolais, I felt the need to write about what their thoughts were regarding an audience’s reaction toward a modern dance piece. Knowing that in those times when modern dance was beginning, people did not quite accept modern dance as an art, compared to ballet.
As a lover of modern dance, I couldn’t agreed more when Jose Limon expressed in the video that modern dance it’s a challenge for the audience. He likes the audience to experience that challenge which is a presentation of an artistic idea. Complementing that thought with this one of Nikolais’s, who says that he likes to give the audience the freedom to imagine what they want from his work. He is giving the audience a conceptual gift, an idea that is up to the audience’s criteria to figure it out.
It is impressive how two different artists with different styles think like one person, in reference to modern dance and its effect in the audience. I think that today we still struggle with close minded people to appreciate the beauty of modern dance. And will stay that way until they understand what modern dance is about, overcoming the “challenge” and using the “freedom of imagination” that modern dance artists provide.
Videos: “Jose Limon and Company, with a collaboration of Doris Humphrey" (no specific date) and, "The world of Alwin Nikolais" (1990).

Treadmills as a new stage

2007-12-09T13:42:00.000-08:00

I saw this post by a dancer and choreographer about treadmill dances, and think it was interesting how these dancers used the machine not to exercise, but as an element that is part of the choreography.
From all the videos that Maria, the author, posted on her blog, this one in particular caught my attention for the successful use of the equipment and the way the dancers created original movements incorporating the machine. The treadmill is no longer seen as an exercise machine, but as the technological element that gives life to the whole composition, providing a visual spectacle to the choreography.
It might be seen as foolish how someone can use a treadmill for a dance piece. However, nowadays dancers and artists use technology as part of their creative sense of their work to create new form of arts.
In this case it was a treadmill, but it can also be any other simple object in which someone finds another use for it as a complement for an artistic piece.
*Don't end reading this post without checking the video, above.

For open minded people only

2007-12-08T17:38:00.000-08:00

Everyone is feeling the Christmas spirit coming, and in the dance world a magical Nutcracker completes the season. Everyone is waiting to see The Nutcracker ballet, full of magic and fantasy that makes us all remind of our childhood and enhances the Christmas spirit.
The Nutcracker Rated R, takes a different turn towards what we all expect of the sweetness from the original Nutcracker. This one instead, presents Clara, as a grown up teenager, exploring the world of drugs, sex and other vices. The ballet uses the same concept of the original story but with some arrangements; Clara gets from her uncle an album from an androgynous singer from the 80’s instead of the nutcracker, fells asleep after partying and dream about the fight between rats and soldiers.
After reading this article from the New York Times, not everyone likes the idea of this dissident version. Indeed, the author of the article states that is not worth watching it. I, as an open minded viewer and dance lover, don’t agree because it is still a dance performance that shows talented dancers. It is a modern ballet dance performance with hours of effort and practice.
If you want to know more about the Nutcracker Rated R click here.

Changes for house of NYC Opera and Ballet

2007-12-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

The Lincoln Center in New York City, house of the NYC Opera and Ballet, has been previously working and discussing on making arrangements for the State Theatre of the center, which both entities share.
According to Robin Pogrebin from the New York Times, the Opera and the Ballet finally came to an agreement. There will not be new building location, which was one of the Opera’s first possibilities discussed. Indeed, arrangements to the theatre itself will be the solution. Adjustments to the acoustics system and the orchestra pit will be proceeding, always taking into account convenient interests for both entities. Any possible changes could not carry on if authorities from both departments could not come to an agreement. Solutions for the State Theatre should focus in benefits for both identities. Until the moment, both departments are positive with the adjustments discussed.
The estimated cost of the project ranges from 30 to 60 million. Overall, all the modifications depend on the approval of the city, which owns the State Theatre. The Opera and Ballet are also seeking for financial support from the city to complete the project successfully.

No need of buying tickets, just enter into the lobby

2007-11-18T12:07:00.000-08:00

Everybody is talking about Performa 07, a dance biennial festival, or better said, a visual arts festival, that is taking place in New York City. At the beginnings of November, when it started, several artists have been presenting their works. From modern dance, to ballet, to ethnic dances, complemented with workshops, and conversations with famous choreographers and artists, is what this festival offers to everybody passionate with visual arts.
There are a variety of venues where the performances are taking place, but this one in particular caught my attention. The choreographer Pablo Bronstein has been showing his work on different lobbies of buildings around the Financial District. Even if lobbies are not the most favorable stage for dancers to perform, it serves as an opportunity to promote the art, and show people the beauty of it.
Taking Bronstein’s work as an example, I think that the purpose of this festival besides giving the opportunity for artists to show their works, it is a lesson for society to learn how to appreciate these arts and start opening their minds into different forms of dance.

Modern dance for anyone

2007-11-04T16:17:00.000-08:00

Like a famous Spanish phrase says, “para gusto los colores,” meaning that for every personal taste there is a color; there is always something for everyone.
Yes, there is something for everyone in the world of dance that is why there are so many different branches in which people are passionate. And modern dance is one of them. Unlike the glamour, fantasy and elegance that usually characterize ballet, modern dance is abstract, is crude, is illusionist and contemporary. I am not saying that modern dance lacks elegance, and glamour, but it is not what a common person that only enjoys ballet sees for the first time in a modern piece. As Lisa Traiger mentioned in her article, a lot people in the audience does not understand it and they leave with that puzzled thought and avoid watching modern pieces again.
I know that there are dance works popularly categorized as bad ones. But not everything different from the usual is bad or less outstanding. At least, people should take the time and open their minds to appreciate a modern ballet work.
Like in ballet, modern dance also tells stories; stories of dreams, stories of life, narrated in a more contemporary form as from ballet. Sometimes, a modern piece does not give you the whole story, but establishes an idea or a thought. In my case, after watching a modern dance performance, I always leave the theatre thinking in the message of the work; I keep thinking on the performance (choreography and theme), it has a long-lasting effect in my head, and I think that is inspirational.
Like ballet had its origins hundreds of years ago, this is the time of modern dance. These are its origins, and there is nothing wrong with it.

Modern dance performance - Review

2007-10-24T18:06:00.000-07:00

Some weeks ago, I went to see “The Art of the Solo,” a modern ballet performance that presented several dance numbers of famous modern dance choreographers. The pieces were interpreted by recognized dance professors and professional dancers. Watching the performance was like watching a slideshow of modern dance history, since all the pieces were choreographic works by pioneers in modern dance. One of the big surprises of the night was having Murray Louis as a guest speaker, which is considered an important choreographer in modern dance and was presenting some of his works as well.
It was interesting to see the difference in dance technique through time, from the beginning of 19th century to the 70’s.
Isadora Duncan, one of the first and most recognized choreographers, used a lot of free and soft movements with classic music. That night, there were three short interpretations of Duncan’s work. For anyone who is familiar with Duncan, the dancer used a scarf, which is very Duncan’s style.
On the other hand, moving forward in time, Alwin Nikolais used different music compared to Duncan. Indeed, he created his own music, lights design, costumes and of course, the choreography. His music is a mixture of different sounds and melodies; it sounds like techno music. That night Nikolai’s piece was aerial dance choreography, interpreted by my modern dance professor. It was the only aerial dance number of the night. And the lights design was original too.
There was a total of 12 dance pieces, each of a different famous choreographer, each with a unique theme and technique.
It is important to know the origins of this form of dance, that is why I believe “The Art of the Solo” served as a guidance to teach us how the beginnings of modern dance were; how it evolved compared to what we see as modern dance today.
Not only is going a night to the theatre or completing a dance class requirement, but it is an appreciation for the art and inspiration for future choreographers and artists.

Is this the new Dance Revolution?

2007-10-07T19:27:00.000-07:00

Definitely it is interesting the way electronic games want to figure into everybody’s lifestyle, taking the new music video game “Dance Dance Revolution” as the main focus. Now, video games are not only for electronic addicts but also for dancers, or anyone interested in dance.
Probably you all have seen this device before, but now it is gaining more popularity, and just this year thousands of new songs were added to the console.
Personally, I was never fond of video games. It frustrated me being sited in front of a TV for hours, hurting my fingers by pressing bottoms randomly, without advancing into another level at the end.
However, DDR activates the whole body into dance action. By playing DDR people exercises and even acquire an interest for different types of dance (e.g. hip hop, jazz, tap, or modern). People also improve their dance skills.
As of video games, without a doubt DDR is one of the best alternatives for people, especially kids. DDR compel them to move and work out, instead of being hypnotized eternally by the TV.
This new revolution in video games can be fun and outgoing. But nothing compares to the classic method every dancer knows: going into a studio, putting the shoes on, and start dancing.

From inspiration to memories

2007-10-04T16:35:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting article in the New York Times, about how people always remember and honor dance legends when watching an adapted modern piece from a classic one. It is acceptable to reflect in the past and compare it with the future. But nowadays, it is also necessary to have an open mind to accept and comprehend modern adaptations from classic ones, surrendering the thought that the legend (e.g. Anna Pavlova) will be the greatest always.
A worst case would be, if young dancers of today would perform a classic piece without recognizing the great dancer who transformed that same dance number into an enduring and beautiful memory for all dance lovers. As the author of the article says, “the best lies behind us, as if dance were an inevitable march on perfection.”
For me is not only perfection but inspiration, as well. The inspiration young dancers have to create and adapt attractive classic dance numbers into one of their own.
Maybe the fact of dance being ephemeral is in its nature, as the author states. And maybe a memory from the past will always come back to our heads when watching a famous dance number. But I don’t believe that this art “rests on ephemeral memory and fragile faith.”
Instead, I do believe inspiration brings us memories that would always be remembered, like any brilliant dancer when performing a classic piece.

The love of the art in the streets

2007-10-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

Dance is more than learning basic steps; it is a culture, an art, and a form of living for many young professionals out there. For sure you can see them performing in theaters, which can be considered the “formal” way of working. But nowadays you can see performances for free in the streets of independent dance groups with new creative concepts for dance. They are a spectacle and a way of harmonizing the city.
The majority of the dance pieces that can be seen on streets or public spaces are of modern ballet. It does not require pointe shoes. Instead, bare foot is the way to go. On the other hand, classic ballet needs to be performed under certain conditions, such as using an appropriate floor that works for the respective shoes.
A great example of public performances is the Improvisation Festival that recently took place in DC. Abstract but interesting performances gave life to the streets. People enjoyed a different spectacle.
Overall, public performances are to entertain but also to teach people about the art of dance and its culture.