Paul Taylor Dance Company at Annenberg

Still growing at 83

For 60 years Paul Taylor has created choreography that often deals with controversial themes and ideas. But he’s still evolving, as last weekend’s retrospective program demonstrated.

Gary L. Day

Oct 28, 2013 · Articles · 3 minute read

Lucinda Childs: Origins of post-modern dance

Lucinda Childs, body and soul

Some of the best of Philadelphia’s modern dancers recreated the challenging work of Lucinda Childs, a pioneer of post-modern dance in America.

Jonathan M. Stein

Oct 12, 2013 · Articles · 5 minute read

Our debt to "So You Think You Can Dance'

Where popularity trumps talent (which isn't necessarily bad)

Dance purists find “So You Think You Can Dance” superficial, commercial and degrading. Not me. In an age when dance desperately needs to expand its audience, this popular reality show shows us how to succeed— assuming we can stand success.

Roger Lee

Sep 08, 2013 · Articles · 2 minute read

Dance/USA and the race issue

Dance and race: Confronting the elephant

At Dance/USA's annual conference, dancers and impresarios usually spend their time talking about dance and economics, but rarely about race. This year's gathering in Philadelphia confronted the issue head-on.

Merilyn Jackson

Jul 02, 2013 · Articles · 6 minute read

Alie Vidich's "Invisible River'

Just when you thought you'd seen everything

Alie Vidich is a 28-year-old movement artist who dreams impossible dreams. In her latest open-air spectacle, she and a fellow dancer pay homage to the Schuylkill River and Mother Nature by performing an aerial dance off the Strawberry Mansion Bridge in Fairmount Park.

Jonathan M. Stein

Jun 20, 2013 · Articles · 3 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet: Forsythe and Kylián

Rising to the occasion

Innovative works by William Forsythe and JiÅ™í Kylián revealed the strengths of an outstanding company of dancers who should be offered more such challenging choreography, as well as an audience equally willing to be challenged.

Jonathan M. Stein

Jun 17, 2013 · Articles · 5 minute read

Ira Glass's "One Radio Host, Two Dancers'

Pay no attention to that man in front of the curtain

Can a popular Public Radio host connect the dots between radio journalism and dance? More to the point: Why should he?

Ilene Raymond Rush

Apr 23, 2013 · Articles · 3 minute read

Savion Glover's "Dance Space' at Academy of Music

Inside Savion Glover's brain (and other body parts I couldn't see)

Savion Glover is surely the best tapper dancing today. It would have helped if the folks in the pricey seats could have seen his feet.

Judy Weightman

Apr 02, 2013 · Articles · 4 minute read

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet: Doing something right

Rocky Mountain high

With its home in Aspen, a season in Santa Fe and a healthy touring schedule, the 16-year-old Aspen Santa Fe Ballet is as good a role model as any ballet company could follow.

Merilyn Jackson

Mar 30, 2013 · Articles · 4 minute read

Why I love "Dancing with the Stars'

Eat your heart out, Lawrence Welk

The pros and stars take this utterly absurd dance competition show completely seriously — but everyone involved remains keenly aware that the competition is, indeed, utterly absurd.

Judy Weightman

Mar 26, 2013 · Articles · 6 minute read