By Walter Rutledge
Dance Theatre of Harlem will begin their New York season April 23 at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center. Choreographers Tanya Wideman-Davis and Thaddeus Davis have created past-carry-forward a work that considers the legacy of the Great Northern Migration of African Americans. Continue reading
In a long, brilliant career, Dudley Williams worked with such artists as Martha Graham, Talley Beatty, and Donald McKayle. Most significantly, he was a member of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for more than forty years. Although Williams retired from that company in 2005, some months before his 67th birthday, he still teaches at the Ailey School. He also makes guest appearances as a teacher at the Martha Graham School. “[Dudley Williams is] amazing—an inspiration to everybody, a real poet with movement.” –Alvin Ailey from Revelations: The Autobiography of Alvin Ailey.
By Walter Rutledge
The Ailey II New York season, April 2 through April 13, marked the fortieth anniversary of the company. Founded in 1974 by Alvin Ailey the then titled Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble was one of the first “junior companies” to provide a pre-professional performance environment for aspiring young artists. Under the 37 year stewardship of Sylvia Waters Ailey II grew into an internationally recognized dance company. It has built a solid reputation and a loyal following, now rivaling many professional companies. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge
Dance Theatre of Harlem will present their second New York season April 23 through April 27 at the Rose Theater, Jazz at Lincoln Center. The company can best be described as a “Phoenix Rising”. Continue reading
Maurice Bejart choreographed Bolero in 1960 for the Ballet du XXe Siècle (Ballet of the Twentieth Century). In Bolero Béjart returns to the spirit of his 1959 Rite of Spring, by negating the easy choices of a picturesque exterior in favor of a stripped down simplicity. He gives the central role, the Melody, to a solo dancer and the ensemble is described as the Rhythm. Argentinian dancer Jorge Donn was best known for his work with Bejart. His theatricality and androgynous attack epitomized the 80’s.
By Walter Rutledge
Jamal Rashann Callender has been a member of Ballet Hispanico since 2010. He was part of the new wave of dancers recruited at the start of Artistic Director Eduardo Vilaro incumbency. Over the past three seasons Callender has distinguished himself with the company. His clean execution, artistic commitment to the roles, and fashion model good looks have made him a company standout. Continue reading
Vaslav Nijinsky himself did the choreography for Afternoon of a Faun, using the music of Claude Debussy. In this interpretation, Bakst’s scenery and costumes have been stunningly reconstructed by Ralph Holmes. The original choreography, designed to evoke the two-dimensional flatness of a Greek frieze, was reconstructed by Elizabeth Schooling and William Chappel. Continue reading
By Walter Rutledge
The pas de deux from Le Corsaire, is an excerpt from the ballet created by Marius Petipa, in Saint Petersburg in 1899. Based on a poem by Byron, and was one of Rudolf ’s first successes. Once in the West, Nureyev danced this pyrotechnic pas de deux from Le Corsaire many times, always setting off wild enthusiasm. It was one of his bravura numbers. We find him, splendidly barbaric, erotic and feline with Margot Fonteyn as his partner, in a film from 1963. In general, the applause and the curtain calls lasted longer that the performance itself. Continue reading
Rudolph Nureyev as Valentino. A biographical drama film very loosely based on the life of Rudolph Valentino, directed by Ken Russell in 1977. In this scene former dance hall performer Rudolpho Valentino dances a tango with dance legend Ballet Russe star Vaslav Nijinsky. Continue reading
The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid 
The Dance of the Village Elders are back ! This time we exercise, dance and just have fun through the zoom platform or in-person at R.A.I.N. Nereid 
