Month: December 2012

How Twitter transformed dance

Dance companies have embraced social media like few others arts organisations – and even the founder of Twitter is a ballet fan. Judith Mackrell visits San Francisco Ballet to find out what new technology can do for dancers and audiences alike. San Francisco Ballet (SFB) may well be at the forefront of this new wave.… Continue reading How Twitter transformed dance

First Position

Every year, thousands of aspiring dancers enter one of the world’s most prestigious ballet competitions, the Youth America Grand Prix, where lifelong dreams are at stake. In the final round, with hundreds competing for only a handful of elite scholarships and contracts, nothing short of perfection is acceptable. Bess Kargman’s award-winning, box office hit documentary… Continue reading First Position

Merce Cunningham – Septet (1964)

”Septet,” on a program with ”Doubles” (danced a bit somnolently) and ”Pictures,” proved as delightful as it was revealing, historically. It is not a major work, but it has a clarity of movement that matches the clarity of sound so important to Satie. Mr. Cunningham has since created more complex and sophisticated pieces. Never, however,… Continue reading Merce Cunningham – Septet (1964)