To The Pointe...
The Buglisi Dance Theatre
Experience the creation of the universe and the birth of civilization as Ballet San Jose traces 4,000 years of Chinese history and mythology. See the "Goddess of Earth" descend from the heavens with a giant dragon. Be witness to some of the world's great inventions...paper, printing, the compass and gunpowder. Watch the Zodiac come to life. This stunning production is choreographed by Dennis Nahat with Yong Yao of Chinese performing Artists of America (CPAA). The brilliant sets and costumes, designed by Ching Shyu, were built in China. Guest artists from CPAA join the Ballet San Jose dancers to create a fusion of Western and Chinese traditions danced to a commissioned score by Phil Young. East truly does meet West in this not-to-be-missed performance for the entire family.
WHAT: MIDDLE KINGDOM--
ANCIENT CHINA
WHEN: April 26-29, 2007
Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8pm; Sunday matinee at 1:30pm
WHERE: San Jose Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Boulevard in downtown San Jose.
TICKETS: $25-$78
BOX OFFICE: 408.288.2800
or www.balletsanjose.org
Ballet San Jose School presents "The Tinderbox," an American premiere ballet featuring the Professional Division students of Ballet San Jose School and special guest artists from Ballet San Jose. Choreography by Lise la Cour and based on the original fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen.
WHAT: "The Tinderbox"
WHEN: May 19 & 20, 2007
WHERE: The California Theatre,
345 South First Street in
downtown San Jose
PRICES: $15 to $45
BOX OFFICE: (408) 288-2800
or www.balletsanjose.org
Orlando Ballet
Artistic Director, Bruce Marks announced the appointment of Samantha Dunster to the position of Assistant to the Artistic Director. Ms. Dunster, who was brought on board by previous Artistic Director Fernando Bujones, was instrumental in guiding the company through the transition to new leadership after Bujones death in 2005. Samantha Dunster is also an accomplished choreographer and has created a number of works for Orlando Ballet. In 2001 she choreographed La Fille Mal Gardée (remounted in 2005.) In 2003, she was invited to set La Fille Mal Gardée on the National Ballet of Korea. In 2004, she was invited by Bujones to choreograph a World Premiere production Camelot. Ms. Dunster has coached award winning medalists for international competitions and has won Best Choreographer at the Youth America Grand Prix regional competition in 2004.
Nevada Ballet Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director Bruce Steivel, has appointed Victoria Stocki-Kim as the new director of its affiliated school, the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre. Stocki-Kim will lead the Las Vegas based Academy and oversee five hundred students and approximately twenty faculty members. Stocki-Kim's duties at the Academy of Nevada Ballet Theatre will include teaching, developing all class and course schedules, establishing policies and procedures, producing and organizing the annual spring concert as well as interfacing with parents, faculty and students.
Stocki-Kim's professional experience includes serving as a faculty member at the Detroit Opera House's Center for Arts and Learning, the Kirov Academy in Washington , D.C. and the Universal Ballet Academy as well as assistant director and co-owner of the Art Ballet Center .
American Dance Festival (ADF) is currently seeking entries for the 2007 Dancing for the Camera: International Festival of Film and Video Dance. The Festival will take place from July 6-8, 2007 on the campus of Duke University in Durham, NC and is free and open to the public. A panel of judges will view all entries and select works to be screened during the Festival. Final deadline for submissions is Friday, April 13, 2007 at 6pm with an entry fee of $40. For more information and to download an entry form, visit www.americandancefestival.org or contact Nicolle Wasserman at 212.586.1925 or adfny@americandancefestival.org. Canton Ballet, Canton, Ohio, will inaugurate a competition and showcase for choreographers who work on pointe. $1000 in cash prizes will be awarded to first place choreographers, with additional cash awards for second and third place finishers chosen by the distinguished panel of judges. For details about submissions, and for an online application, go to www.cantonballet.com.
Odyssey Dance Theatre of Utah, directed by Derryl Yeager, will make its New York debut April 4-8 at The Ailey Citigroup Theatre. April 4-6 at 8 PM; Sat April 7 at 3 & 8 PM; Sun April 8 at 3 PM; Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55 Street (at 9th Avenue); Tickets: $20; $10 for students & seniors; Reservations: Smarttix, 212/868-4444. The Leggz Ltd. Dance Ensemble of Rockville, Centre, NY, performed the American Classic, "Stars and Stripes Forever" for the USO Fundraiser on Jan. 21st. Hubbard Street Dance Chicago will performworks by important American and international choreographers during its 2007 Spring Series, April 11-22 at the Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Millennium Park. The two distinct programs feature world premieres by Lar Lubovitch and HSDC Artistic Director Jim Vincent, as well as several other surprise pieces. Tickets are available at 866.535.4732 toll-free or visit hubbardstreetdance.com.
On October 29th, 2006, the Mitzi & Ed Waring Dance Co. of North Olmsted, Ohio, held their 20th Annual Dance Marathon to benefit Ohio Cancer Research Associates. The event consisted of approximately 60 choreographed ballroom dance exhibitions performed one after another by students - non-stop throughout the afternoon. The effort resulted in donations of $6,382. In the past 20 years that the marathons have been conducted, the Waring Dancers have collected $109,737.00 for this cause. Bravo!
Gordon Wright, Executive Vice President and Director of The Harid Conservatory, Boca Raton, Florida, just had his first children's book published, The Badventures of Creepy Cat. The book chronicles a hurricane-displaced kitty's badventures in South Florida. Mr. Wright both wrote and illustrated the book.
Creepy Cat isn't very cute. And he's not very friendly. In fact, he's kind of creepy! And that's why he's called Creepy Cat. Share Creepy Cat's badventures in South Florida where he meets Shadow the beautiful black cat, the mysterious Creepy Crawly, the ugly Muscovy ducks, and the bright, full Moon. Children and parents alike will laugh and wonder at these simple and fun stories!
Gordon Wright grew up in British Columbia, Canada, but has lived in South Florida since 1992. He is a father, a martial artist, and an avid rock climber. His people-house is home to four cats. The Badventures of Creepy Cat is available online directly from the publisher at www.universal-publishers.com and will also soon be available from Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com.