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

Can dance reach young audiences?

I've seen the future of dance, and it's in the streets

The music and movie industries have no problem reaching younger audiences— the very people dance companies need to reach to assure their future. Yet dance packs more action than any other form of entertainment short of the circus. Why not take to social media and the streets and beat the movies and video companies at their own game?

Roger Lee

Mar 09, 2013 · Articles · 5 minute read

Orchestra's "Rite of Spring' (3rd review)

How to sacrifice a virgin? Let me count the ways

Let's not forget that Stravinsky's Rite of Spring was originally composed for a ballet. And there's no right or wrong way to imagine this work. Of the dozen interpretations I've seen, Dan Safer's fell somewhere in the middle— more exercising than engaging.

Merilyn Jackson

Mar 02, 2013 · Articles · 6 minute read

Pennsylvania Ballet's "Balanchine/ Wheeldon/ Tharp'

Three big names, perfect together

The Pennsylvania Ballet's combination of George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon and Twyla Tharp provided a romp for audience and troupe alike.

Janet Anderson

Feb 18, 2013 · Articles · 1 minute read