http://www.seedance.com seedance.com - Guide Reviews http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/content_files/img_logo_rss.gif http://www.seedance.com http://www.seedance.com/article/kings-of-the-dance-2011-goes-lite.html Kings of the Dance brought the current version of its ongoing dance franchise to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in a stripped down program of both old and new works.Making a hard turn away from the last Ardani Artists production, Reflections ,this Kings while offering spectacular dancers felt underwhelming in its choreography and staging.The current program opened earlier in October in Moscow.It feartures David Hallberg,Marcelo Gomes,Ivan Vasiliev,G. Coté and Denis Matvienko and works by Duato. http://www.seedance.com/article/kings-of-the-dance-2011-goes-lite.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:49:25 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2970.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/tango-buenos-aires-tango-fuego-y-pasin.html Tango and Buenos Aires. No other dance and place are so inextricably bound together or so readily conjure up an iconic ethos. That sensibility was readily on display for full houses at the Segerstrom Center this week with TANGO BUENOS AIRES. http://www.seedance.com/article/tango-buenos-aires-tango-fuego-y-pasin.html Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:42:23 -0700 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1352.jpg 55 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/glorya-kaufman-presents-dance-at-the-music-center-corella-ballet-castilla-y-leon.html Angel Corella\'s youthful classical company, CORELLA BALLET CASTILLA y LEON opened the new season at the Music Center with a generous mixed bill of four ballets.It included the popular SOLEA which Mr. Corella dances with his sister,Carmen Corella. http://www.seedance.com/article/glorya-kaufman-presents-dance-at-the-music-center-corella-ballet-castilla-y-leon.html Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:27:05 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1226.jpg 59 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/ballet-nacional-de-cuba-don-quixote.html Ballet Nacional de Cuba brought its Alonso version of Don Q to the Music Center for five performanes and while much of the signature Cuban style was on display this Don Q looked tired and uninspiring.Music by the LA Opera Orchestra and G. Duarte. http://www.seedance.com/article/ballet-nacional-de-cuba-don-quixote.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:55:31 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2236.jpg 87 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/merce-cunningham-review-roaratorio.html Review of "Roaratorio", Merce Cunningham Dance Company performance from the Legacy Tour performed at Walt Disney Hall, June 4, 2010.This classic Cage/Cunningham collaboration was originally presented as a studio performance. Poor sound hampered the production at Disney Hall.The Legacy Tour revived this work using a German Radio recording for its performances.The piece was performed in Disney Hall. As a concert hall, not a theatrical venue, it duplicated the feeling of a studio performance. http://www.seedance.com/article/merce-cunningham-review-roaratorio.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:33:41 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_932.jpg 100 68 http://www.seedance.com/article/grupo-corpo-review.html GRUPO CORPO is one of Brazil’s better known contemporary dance companies.Their movement is highly appealing and accessible. Performances feature commissioned scores that draw on all aspects of Brazilian, classical and contemporary music idioms. http://www.seedance.com/article/grupo-corpo-review.html Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:27:05 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1402.jpg 100 75 http://www.seedance.com/article/kibbutz-contemporary-dance-company-in-infrared.html To say that the performance of InfraRed on Saturday at the Luckman Theater was a dance concert would be seriously underestimating the enormity of what took place there.What follows is the review of InfraRed by Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Co.Terrific. http://www.seedance.com/article/kibbutz-contemporary-dance-company-in-infrared.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:06:53 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1450.jpg 100 66 http://www.seedance.com/article/works-by-cunningham-and-wheeldon-accompany-a-new-firebird.html American Ballet Theatre’s repertory program at Segerstrom Center for the Arts lets us consider three ways in which music informs dance. In Merce Cunningham’s DUETS from 1980, the music (in this instance John Cage’s score for electronic sounds and percussion titled, Improvisations III) and the choreography are in and amiable standoff. In Thirteen Diversions the score charts a course for an abstract sequence of small and large ensembles and in FIREBIIRD, the episodic score tells a story. http://www.seedance.com/article/works-by-cunningham-and-wheeldon-accompany-a-new-firebird.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:26:59 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3338.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater.html Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is back in Southern California with three wide ranging repertory programs at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Along with favorites and revivals by Ailey, the company’s new Artistic Director, Robert Battle, has included his own choreography and additions by Ulysses Dove, Paul Taylor and Ohad Naharin. The company, which is filled with new faces and is charting new directions under Battle, looked fleet and responsive. Urban Folk Dance by Dove also shone brightly. http://www.seedance.com/article/alvin-ailey-american-dance-theater.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:36:44 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3294.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/paco-pea-and-flamenco-vivo.html Paco Pena and Flamenco Vivo. Performance included Angel Munoz and Charo Espino. Paco Arriaga was also a featured guitarist. The choreography was by Fran Espinosa ,also a resident of Cordaba where the company is based. Flamenco Vivo is on a US tour. http://www.seedance.com/article/paco-pea-and-flamenco-vivo.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:05:57 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1474.jpg 85 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/cloud-gate-ii-in-a-repertory-program.html As the second tier company connected with the venerable Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan, Cloud Gate II showed both strengths and weaknesses in its repertory program Saturday at the Luckman. They seemed, more often than not, a talented and inexhaustible company of dancers hemmed in by concept driven choreography. Choreography included works by current and former company members. Best on the program was Wicked Fish, a large scale ensemble piece. The program was performed earlier at the Joyce. http://www.seedance.com/article/cloud-gate-ii-in-a-repertory-program.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:39:39 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3268.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/american-ballet-theaters-the-sleeping-beauty.html Dance at the Music Center closed out this year's programming this past weekend with performances of American Ballet Theater's THE SLEEPING BEAUTY. The production is reviewed here by Sterven Woodruff.Mr. Woodruff is the new voice of L.A. dance. http://www.seedance.com/article/american-ballet-theaters-the-sleeping-beauty.html Tue, 22 Nov 2011 18:33:14 -0700 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1043.jpg 94 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/los-angeles-contemporary-dance-company-subtext.html Reprising the format from LACDC’s most recent production,The Nature of Things (May 2011), the company recently concluded its new repertory program at Diavolo Dance Theater with an evening of works by guest choreographers and LACDC Artistic Director, Kate Hutter, in a program titled SUBTEXT. Additional choreography by Mike Esperanza, Artistic Director of BARE Dance Company and Holly Rothschild, a multi media artist and founding member of String Theory. Presented at Diavolo Dance Theatre. http://www.seedance.com/article/los-angeles-contemporary-dance-company-subtext.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:47:55 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3030.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/dance-review-perceptions-contemporary-dance-company-at-teatro-la-tea-theater.html New York is about laying it all on the line..'if you can make it here you can make it anywhere' and Perceptions Contemporary Dance Company throws their hat in the 'if you can make it here you can make it anywhere' ring of NY with their explosive..... http://www.seedance.com/article/dance-review-perceptions-contemporary-dance-company-at-teatro-la-tea-theater.html Wed, 13 Oct 2010 21:22:18 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/315_photo_1183.jpg 87 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/infinite-movement-ever-evolving.html "...IMEE's founding directors Spencer Gavin Hering and Andrea Dawn Shelley, displayed incredible creativity, a unique primal style – of Modern dance, Ballet & Performance art!" -iMEE Patron, Program II: Verbal Interludes http://www.seedance.com/article/infinite-movement-ever-evolving.html Sat, 18 Dec 2010 10:02:26 -0700 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/photo_0.0 http://www.seedance.com/article/joffrey-mavericks-of-american-dance.html Joffrey Mavericks of American Dance,written and directed by Bob Hercules,is something of a valentine to Robert Joffrey’s iconic and very American ballet company but also a heartfelt homage and history lesson as well.Unlike Wim Wenders recent dance documentary,PINA,Hercules' film has the feel of a standard documentary.Of particular interest are the film clips with Kurt Jooss and Leonide Massine preparing reconstructions of their ballets with Robert Joffrey.Covers the company history from 1956. http://www.seedance.com/article/joffrey-mavericks-of-american-dance.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:38:12 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3278.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/los-angeles-ballet--the-nutcracker.html Choreography by Thordahl Christensen and Colleen Neary Costumes Designed by Mikael Melbye Lighting Designed by Penny Jacobus Sets Designed by Catherine Kanner The orchestral performance for the recorded score was not identified in the program. LOS A http://www.seedance.com/article/los-angeles-ballet--the-nutcracker.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:10:11 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1310.jpg 52 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/pina-dance-dance-otherwise-we-are-lost.html Wim Wenders’ PINA is the German nomination for a foreign language film for this season’s Oscars. It is unusual both for its subject (the iconic, theater dance choreographer, Pina Bausch) and because it is an art film shot in 3D, something of a first.The film began production in 2009 shortly after Bausch’s unexpected death. It contains brilliant footage from four of Bausch's works: Vollmond,Cafe Muller,Kontakthof and the Rite of Spring.It is an affectionate look at Bausch and her amazing company. http://www.seedance.com/article/pina-dance-dance-otherwise-we-are-lost.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:45:07 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3144.jpg 151 86 http://www.seedance.com/article/reflections-dance-review.html The review covers the recent collboration between Bolshoi dancer and a group contemporary choreographers. Also included is the Glinka Pas de Deux by Balanchine. Best on the program was a reworking of REMANSOS by Nacho Duato. At Segerstrom Center. http://www.seedance.com/article/reflections-dance-review.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:08:33 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1356.jpg 55 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/cedar-lake-contemporary-ballets.html Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet is an outpost of sorts for European dance in America. The company's program at UCLA featured works by Regina van Berkel, Crystal Pite and Alexander Ekman on the first of two programs on the UCLA live series. Referencing work by Kylian in style, Simply Marvel was a sophisticated and well crafted choreography that made clear use of the music.An alternate program played on Saturday evening. The New York City based company is directed by Benoit-Swan Pouffer. http://www.seedance.com/article/cedar-lake-contemporary-ballets.html Sun, 29 Apr 2012 11:15:01 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3387.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/royal-danish-ballet.html The Royal Danish Ballet presents a repertory program of recent works in the Bournonville style along with two works by Finnish choreographers Jorma Elo and Jorma Uotinen. EARTH which is part spectacle, part dance uses electric music by Apocalyptica. http://www.seedance.com/article/royal-danish-ballet.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:58:36 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2208.jpg 71 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/state-street-ballet-and-the-santa-barbara-symphony.html State Street Ballet's collaboration with The Santa Bartabara Symphony in a new production of the Appalachian Spring Suite. The choreography by William Soleau (also Carmen in 2007) was presented at The Granada Theater in Santa Barabara, California. http://www.seedance.com/article/state-street-ballet-and-the-santa-barbara-symphony.html Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:27:06 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1422.jpg 100 72 http://www.seedance.com/article/sleeping-beauty-and-abt-soloists-at-barclay.html Festival Ballet Theatre is continuing its ambitious season of dance at the Irvine Barclay Theatre with its presentation of two performances of Sleeping Beauty. The company under Artistic Director, Salwa Rizkalla, is closing in on 25 years of presenting dance for Southland audiences. After numerous excursions into the big time ballet repertory with stagings of Le Corsaire, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty, Rizkalla and her company continue to be a big part of the Southland ballet scene. http://www.seedance.com/article/sleeping-beauty-and-abt-soloists-at-barclay.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:34:56 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3328.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/san-francisco-ballet-romeo-and-juliet-review.html When Helgi Tomasson set out to choreograph his full length Romeo and Juliet (1994) he said he considered using other music than Prokofiev’s. I’m glad he didn’t. His version is a richly costumed adaptation with beautiful sets. He hews to the standard episodic score as his company's dancers navigate effortlessly between theater and dance. On this program were Joan Boada and Maria Kochetvova in the title roles. Boada's Romeo is played as a kind of everyman character. Music by The Pacific Symphony. http://www.seedance.com/article/san-francisco-ballet-romeo-and-juliet-review.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:51:05 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2878.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/les-ballets-de-monte-carlo-in-cinderella.html While the standard versions of Cinderella imagine the ballet in its usual context as a storybook tale imbued with romantic underpinnings and a full measure of often superficial fantasy. Jean-Christophe Maillot in his version for Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo casts it as fable of remembrance and its power to transform the characters. Much of the well-known story is still there, but the manner in which the characters inhabit it is utterly altered. Read more about this hip, Euro Zone ballet company. http://www.seedance.com/article/les-ballets-de-monte-carlo-in-cinderella.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:41:28 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3234.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/the-bright-stream-music-by-dmitri-shostakovich.html Bright Stream has waited nearly seventy years for a revival since its successful debut in 1935 in Leningrad and Moscow.Though its original creators fared poorly Ratmansky has been successful with Bright Stream, Namouna, and also his recent Nutcracker for ABT.This sparkling example is what contemporary story ballet can be when it is set in the hands of a gifted choreographer.The ballet,with Ratmansky's choreography,is also in the repertory of the Bolshoi but with different designs and costuming. http://www.seedance.com/article/the-bright-stream-music-by-dmitri-shostakovich.html Sun, 06 May 2012 00:43:04 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2446.jpg 67 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/san-francisco-ballet-in-a-repertory-program.html San Francisco Ballet concluded its repertory program on Wednesday at Segerstrom Center for the Arts with a program of works by San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson , current company resident choreographer, Yuri Possokhov and George Balanchine. In the end it was RAkU(2011) with its soaring designs, psychologically weighted movement and brooding orchestral score by Shinji Eshima which made the most lasting impression. RAKU was impressive for its astonishing design and acting. http://www.seedance.com/article/san-francisco-ballet-in-a-repertory-program.html Tue, 15 May 2012 14:53:12 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2898.jpg 151 86 http://www.seedance.com/article/long-beach-ballet-the-nutcracker.html LONG BEACH BALLET concluded its season of the Nutcracker in Pasadena,California. They are the only regional company in the Los Angeles area using an orchestra for all its performances. Choreography by Artistic Director David Wilcox and Terri Lewis. http://www.seedance.com/article/long-beach-ballet-the-nutcracker.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:09:20 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1330.jpg 100 39 http://www.seedance.com/article/two-programs-at-the-koch-theater.html There is a lot going on with City Ballet's fall season at the Koch Theater. The new, the old and the revived are all on display.This article covers two separate performances in September that included some chestnuts and and recent exciting additions. http://www.seedance.com/article/two-programs-at-the-koch-theater.html Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:27:05 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1181.jpg 53 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/review-newwave-la-la-ballet.html Los Angeles Ballet brought it's most recent repertory evening titled NewWaveLA to The Alex Theatre. The program included works by So you Think You Can Dance choreographers and Josie Walsh. The four pieces on the program were premieres. http://www.seedance.com/article/review-newwave-la-la-ballet.html Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:27:06 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_920.jpg 55 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/first-position-looks-for-the-stories-behind-ballet-competitions.html Bess Kargman’s documentary film, FIRST POSITION, lays out the stories of seven young ballet dancers vying for recognition, scholarships and company contracts in the annual Youth America Grand Prix. The film takes an honest and sympathetic look at the world of pre-professional ballet competition as each competitor makes his way through the year-long competition. The focus on two of the dancers, Michaela DePrince and Joan Sebastian Zamora and their unusual stories is particularly moving. http://www.seedance.com/article/first-position-looks-for-the-stories-behind-ballet-competitions.html Sun, 06 May 2012 12:13:36 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3417.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/don-quixote-fantasies-of-the-madman.html Steven Woodruff reviews Eifman Ballet of St. Petersburg in their recent performance of Don Quixote. Eifman has made a name for himself recasting classic ballets and classic literature for the stage.This version revives his 1994 original choreography. http://www.seedance.com/article/don-quixote-fantasies-of-the-madman.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:03:34 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2056.jpg 100 66 http://www.seedance.com/article/a-year-at-the-ballet.html It’s been just over a year since I started writing reviews covering dance and music. This story is a kind of memoire of the year. It includes some humor but mostly it addresses the serious concerns of reviewing. Use the links to find the reviews. http://www.seedance.com/article/a-year-at-the-ballet.html Tue, 04 Oct 2011 01:38:28 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2228.jpg 100 82 http://www.seedance.com/article/review-method-contemporary-dance-at-bootleg-theater.html Review of Method Contemporary Dance Program:"Then See If you Still Love Us" May 6-9 2010 at Bootleg Theater,Los Angeles http://www.seedance.com/article/review-method-contemporary-dance-at-bootleg-theater.html Sun, 13 Mar 2011 03:27:06 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_890.jpg 51 83 http://www.seedance.com/article/ballet-preljocaj-lays-on-the-mahler.html Angelin Preljocaj, the Artistic Director of Ballet Preljocaj, in his version of Snow White, has imagined a fantastical as well as unlikely universe where contemporary dance, expansive romantic music (Mahler) and sex-charged, alt fashion costuming (Jean Paul Gaultier) intersect. Much of the ballet also has a cinematic appeal, though it was originally made for the stage. The ballet exists in a version for film that coincided with the production’s first stage performances in 2008. Reviewed in LA. http://www.seedance.com/article/ballet-preljocaj-lays-on-the-mahler.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:35:47 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3316.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/the-royal-danish-ballet-in-napoli.html The Royal Danish Ballet is currently on tour with their time travelling version of Napoli, which is set on the island of Capri in the 1950s. This version owes a debt to Italian cinema and features brilliant new music by Louise Alenius for Act Two. http://www.seedance.com/article/the-royal-danish-ballet-in-napoli.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:56:39 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2220.jpg 100 77 http://www.seedance.com/article/the-joffrey-ballet--the-nutcracker-review.html I first saw the Joffrey’s Nutcracker more than fifteen years ago It struck me then as being a particularly beautiful production.The staging and design for Waltz of the Snowflakes alone was well worth the price of admission. Happily, that is still true.It was good to see that the Currier and Ives vision of Robert Joffrey and Gerald Arpino hadn’t lost any of its stunning picturesque qualities in the absence of the company’s two original founders. The programs at the Dorothy Chandler Pavillion http://www.seedance.com/article/the-joffrey-ballet--the-nutcracker-review.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:46:56 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_3064.jpg 152 85 http://www.seedance.com/article/nederlands-dans-theater-i.html DT are going to continue to be the darlings of Euro-zone dance for some time to come. They made a strong statement to that effect with their mid-week programs on Dance at the Music Center. On the program, Silent Screen and The Second Person. http://www.seedance.com/article/nederlands-dans-theater-i.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:05:05 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1710.jpg 100 60 http://www.seedance.com/article/mark-morris-dance-group.html L’Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato, Mark Morris’ visually stunning ballet based on the combined glories Handel’s music and Milton’s poetics wove it’s magic over a crowded audience Thursday evening, charming equally those with dance in their http://www.seedance.com/article/mark-morris-dance-group.html Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:01:38 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_2090.jpg 100 66 http://www.seedance.com/article/brandenburg-concertos-at-colburn-kenneth-cooper-harpshichord.html Kenneth Cooper was in residence at the Collburn School for a week preparing a concert of all the Brandenburg concertos. Several concertos featured unusual versions of the standard arrangements and instrumentation. Cooper conducted from the keyboard. http://www.seedance.com/article/brandenburg-concertos-at-colburn-kenneth-cooper-harpshichord.html Sun, 02 Oct 2011 13:06:38 -0600 http://www.seedance.com/custom/domain_1/image_files/249_photo_1326.jpg 57 83