Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen by Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal

Over the summer I saw the most amazing, moving, transporting event at BAM. Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal created a dance performance with the music and words of Leonard Cohen that was such a deep tribute and interpretation of his work. It brought me in to his music more, and there was something so lovely and special about the whole evening. The choreography was incredible, breathtaking. The poetic eroticism of his songs, and his unique lugubrious voice were lifted by these amazing bodies and surprising and intelligent movements. It was a total, immersive experience that I am so glad I was able to see. There's nothing else like Dance Me: The Music of Leonard Cohen by Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal.

Garth Fagan Dance

Last night I saw Garth Fagan Dance at Celebrate Brooklyn. It was amazing. I loved every minute of it. The program was six dances and the company was fantastic and charismatic. The choreography blended modern with Afro-Carribean and classical technique. I think my favorites were the lovely, slow, evocative "No Evidence of Failure" and the rousing and fun "Geoffrey Holder Life Fete... Bacchanal". I'm going to keep an eye out for more of their performances.

Philadanco

Over the weekend I saw Philadanco at Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park.

The program was eclectic -- a modern piece using a table as a shared prop -- a James Brown mix -- a lovely balletic piece -- and a dance set to electronica.

The dancers were marvelous and the choreography consistently engaging.  The funk dancing looked so fun, and I imagine the dancers had a great time. The balletic piece, "Between the Lines" was beautiful.

The weather was lovely, and the audience seemed very happy, which complemented the energy on stage.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet

This weekend I saw Complexions Contemporary Ballet perform at The Joyce. The program included four dances. My favorite was the longer first dance, set to Bach. The dance had a choppy and dynamic feel to it. Romantic and complex. The choreography throughout the evening was consistent. Certain movements which I quite liked were repeated in different scenarios. The final dance was set to Metallica and was broad, brash, over-the-top but very exciting.

Cinderella again!!!

Company XIV is by far my most favorite performance troupe ever! This weekend I went back to the Minetta Lane theater to see their production of Cinderella for second time.

They do such an amazing job of every single aspect -- the dancing, the costumes, the eroticism, the camp, the singing, the athleticism. It all comes together in a very sexy and aesthetically sophisticated way.

This time I had better, more center seats, and was able to get a better visual sense of the whole. The performers are all so fun and beautiful, the show is so generous in how much entertainment it provides. Again my favorites were the chanteuse Fairy Godmother, and the high camp Stepmother.

Cinderella -- Company XIV

Austin McCormick is a genius! His amazing Company XIV did it again! This time a sexy fantasmagorical interpretation of Cinderella. The combination of opera, circus, Baroque dance, vaudeville and cabaret is enormously engaging in this erotic and fun production. The costumes, lighting, music, and movement were all incredibly top-notch and mesmerizing. They certainly know how to maximize the aesthetic possibilities of 18th century undergarments!

The Cinderella narrative is kind of sparse -- providing the occasion for incredible, sultry and comedic numbers that I can't wait to see again. My favorite performances were Katrina Cunningham as the chanteuse/Fairy Godmother, and Davon Rainey as the high camp, extraordinary dancer playing the Stepmother.

LeeSaar at Celebrate

I saw the dance company LeeSaar perform at Celebrate Brooklyn! tonight. They performed "Grass and Jackals" which was a kind of cerebral dystonic piece that was energetically and physically interesting and surprising. I had a lot of trouble absorbing myself in it because the music was a little abstract for me, but mainly because there was a baby and a small child playing in the aisle next to my seat. They cooed and ran up and down and threw stuffed animals and it was incredibly distracting. I don't know why anyone would bring such young children to this kind of event. Anyway, the dancing was truly masterful. Sexy, odd, inventive, and dynamic. The ending sequence was particularly beautiful.

Momix: Alchemia

Momix is an intense dance company that creates visually arresting and magical productions. A few years ago I got to see Botanica, and tonight I saw their newest creation, Alchemia. This show blends haunting video, athletic dancing, ingenious costumes, gorgeous lighting, ecstatic music, and enthralling choreography to create an otherworldly sensory experience. Moody, abstract, mesmerizing. Every element of the piece transforms from one state to another in haunting ways. The dancers were adept at manipulating costumes and props effortlessly and gracefully. This was a stunning and aesthetically satisfying evening.

American Ballet Theater, Cinderella

Last night I was delighted by the charming production of American Ballet Theater's Cinderella.

There was cute buffoonery, lovely costumes, and just wonderful dancing. My favorite was the second act, at the ball, which was practically all straight dance without much narrative. All in all it was a joyous concoction.

Last night Cinderella was danced by Marianela Nunez; the prince, James Whiteside, and, perhaps my favorite, the Fairy Godmother, danced by Isabella Boylston. (The prince and Cinderella pictured here are not the dancers we saw).

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

I had wanted to see Les Ballets Trockadero for so long, and finally had my chance last night. This all male company performs wonderfully masterful ballet using at times over the top slapstick. The mix of humor and beauty is truly joyous, and it was a rather uplifting experience.

The sight of me en pointe is jarring and funny. It continues to tickle the senses, even as you grow used to it. So just the fact that men are playing the traditional female roles adds one layer of fun.  Then the performers used large gestures, facial expressions, and deliberately un-balletic movements to further enhance the comedic elements.

Although I enjoyed the humor, I was truly buoyed by the marvelous dancing. There were four pieces: a section of Swan Lake; a parody of Balanchine called "Go Barocco" (I wouldn't have known this was a joke except I read this Times article which pointed it out); a fabulous pas de deux ("Le Corsaire"); and "La Naïade et le Pêcheur". My favorites were the less narrative, less slapsticky two middle pieces. Like I said, I didn't pick up on Go Barocco being a take on Balanchine -- I simply loved the dancing, as well as the lighting and colors, the whole thing. Le Corsaire was also incredibly delightful.

This was truly a great holiday treat!

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca

I saw a wonderful flamenco performance at The Joyce last night. Soledad Barrio and Noche Flemenca are stunning. I have seen them before and they never fail to move me and transport me.

The singing and music come from such a deep, ancient, visceral place. It just cuts right through. The dancing is exact and masterful and, as I think I've commented elsewhere, utterly and beautifully virile.

The first part of the program consisted of excerpts from a longer narrative piece, "Antigona". I was nervous that it would me too... corny... mannered... or something. But instead I was treated to highly elegant and visually arresting artistry. There were so many stark and surreal moments, merging traditional flamenco with modern dance. I was transfixed by the segment when the female dancers performed from chairs, their emotional arms haunting and mesmerizing. I fell in love with those arms.

The second part of the program was three dances that were all amazing and the soloists received hearty and heartfelt applause from the excited and stirred audience.

American Ballet Theater

I had a fairly delightful evening at Lincoln Center tonight. I went to see American Ballet Theater. The program was three ballets but I only stayed for the first two, as I started to feel very flu-y.

The first dance was "Sinfonietta" -- a lovely five movement ballet for 14 dancers. The music wasn't my favorite, but the graceful movement was mesmerizing and truly beautiful.

The second, "Jardin Aux Lilas", was much more narrative (which I don't quite care for with dance). It was set at a wedding party, where the betrothed were both in love with others. The set was dark and gothic, a gloomy midnight forest scene. And the choreography was austere and formal. Stunning in parts, but a bit mannered for my taste. Still, I was moved, and, as with the first piece, I was mesmerized.

The third dance was a version of "Fancy Free" a sailor-themed number choreographed by Jerome Robbins and set to Leonard Bernstein.  I have seen New York City Ballet perform this at least once and was curious to see how a different company might do it differently. However, unfortunately, I felt very warm and achy and had to leave during the second intermission.

Fall for Dance, 2014

The other night I enjoyed a wonderful program at Fall for Dance, my favorite NYC performance festival.

The first dance was performed by Black Grace. "Pati Pati" fused western contemporary dance with traditional Samoan slap dance -- utilizing fun and invigorating and complex body percussion. Next was an elegant ballet from the San Francisco Ballet, "Variations for Two Couples" -- very beautiful, but I wasn't too crazy about the music.

My favorite of the evening was "Two x Two" created by Russell Maliphant/Sadler's Wells London. This spare and haunting dance featured two performers on different squares or planes. Each moving separately but it worked together. The lighting was gorgeous and I was really riveted by the dance.

The final crowd-pleaser was the always engaging Mark Morris Dance Group. We got to see the premiere of "Words", which I fully enjoyed. It had a familiar feeling, though, for a new a work, and I think that is because I've seen his choreography several times before.

AGAIN! Rococo Rouge, Company XIV

I can't get enough of an amazing thing! Tonight I saw Rococo Rouge for the second time, and it was just as stunning, if not more so, than last week.

We had more center seats tonight, which made a difference, as last time I had a pillar of some sort kind of obstructing my view. Tonight we saw the performance full frontal, and it was incredibly sexy, and dramatic, and beautiful.

Everything about Rococo Rouge hits the right note. The diverse and uniquely talented singers, the choreography, the mesmerizing acrobatics, the wondrous costumes, the decadence and high camp. All the performers were wonderful, but the host or emcee, Shelly Watson, with a powerful singing voice and fabulous regalia, stole the show for me.

I can't wait to see what Company XIV's next production is!

Company XIV: Rococo Rouge!!!

I enjoyed stunning entertainment tonight! Company XIV is the most amazing performance troupe in the city! Rococo Rouge is a delicious confection of beautiful singing, sexy and commanding costumes, burlesque numbers, and acrobatics. There's nothing else like it. Utterly raunchy and masterful.

I had seen their luscious version of The Nutcracker earlier this year and was excited to see them perform again in an intimate venue on Lafayette Street. The performance space was loungy and elegant and decadent, the perfect place for this company.

I enjoyed every moment of Rococo Rouge, but I think my favorite tonight was the sultry blonde chanteuse.

(The second, better photo here is taken from the company's facebook page)

Paul Taylor Dance, again!

I had a wonderful evening last night at Lincoln Center Out of Doors. Paul Taylor Dance followed an interesting tango ensemble, Pablo Ziegler's New Tango Ensemble.

Paul Taylor Dance began with a piece called "Fibers" which I had hated (!) when I saw it at City Center, and found it just as tedious this time around.

The second dance was beautiful, classical, perfect: "Aureole". It was a delight.

The third dance was phenomenal. The tango ensemble joined the company, and they performed "Piazzolla Caldera" a tango-inspired complex piece that was sexy and fascinating and fun.

Dance Theater of Harlem

I saw a stunning Dance Theater of Harlem performance at Celebrate Brooklyn last night. It was really rousing and mesmerizing. Beautiful and energizing. I was so excite and pumped after I left. It was great.

The first dance, choreographed by Alvin Ailey, "The Lark Ascending" was lovely, dreamy, and very classical feeling. The second dance was my favorite: "Contested Space" -- dark and industrial-sounding music created a strange and haunted mood. The dancing felt completely innovative to me, and the work en pointe was fascinating, frenetic, charming, and wonderful. I enjoyed it so much that if they had simply repeated it for their third dance I would have been just as enthralled. The third dance, "Return", was the crowd-pleaser. Set to James Brown and Aretha Franklin, the choreography was described by The New York Times as "a witty fusion of ballet technique and street gait." It was remarkably fun. The sound was terrific and for me the incredible music might have overwhelmed the dancing a bit.

The night started with cellist and singer Leyla McCalla, who performed Creole and English songs, both original and traditional. She was accompanied by a bassist, and the music was great. She had a clear, deep voice that I liked a lot, and I'll probably be downloading some of her work from itunes.

Ballet Hispanico

Last night I saw Ballet Hispanico at The Joyce. They were marvelous. The first dance, "Umbral" was dark and moody, very intense and mesmerizing. It started out a little too slow and stark for me, but I was gradually fully drawn into it. The program says it is about the Day of the Dead, and the piece began with spoken words, in Spanish, which I couldn't understand. Perhaps comprehending those words would have helped through the piece. It also featured a central dancer in face makeup and a red costume when all the other dancers were in black. I was unsure of this dancer's role. There was an incredible duet towards the end, although my favorite sections were when all the dancers were on stage together.

The second piece "Somrerisimo" was a complete shift in tone. This dance featured only men, dressed in button down shirts and hats. They used the hats as props throughout the uptempo, fun, and snazzy number.

Finally, "El Beso", about kissing. There was kissing in this dance. It was sort of a cross between the first two in terms of mood.There was something architectural and brooding about parts, although humorous and fun in other parts. Again, my favorite sections were the long stretches toward the end where the whole company danced in unison.

All the dancing throughout the evening was fabulous and a delight to watch. I'm glad I finally saw this company and I will look out for them again.

Paul Taylor Dance

An amazing evening last night. Paul Taylor Dance at Lincoln Center! I love this company, which I had seen perform a few years ago at Lincoln Center Out of Doors on a sweltering night.

Last night's program was so great. It began with what turned out to be my favorite dance, "Airs" a crazy beautiful ethereal dance in eight parts choreographed to music by Handel. It was so elegant and graceful and perfect. The audience went mad with applause at the end.

I actually hated the second dance, "Fibers". Mainly it was the music, by Schoenberg. It just grated on my so much. And the strange robotic costumes and robotic movements. I thought all of us were in misery waiting for it to end, but when it did the audience seemed to have liked it very much and there was robust applause.

Then there was a fanciful, silly, frothy, fun confection of a dance, "Troilus and Cressida, (reduced)". And finally the magnificent and rousing "Mercuric Tidings" which I enjoyed as much as "Airs". It was an energetic, athletic, and exhilarating crowd-pleaser. Great way to end the evening.

Alonzo King LINES Ballet at The Joyce

Last night I saw Alonzo King LINES Ballet at The Joyce, a company I had seen perform in San Francisco two years ago. The program consisted of one long piece in two acts, Constellation, which in very abstract ways was intended to explore relations to the cosmos and stars -- although I really didn't get this at all.

The production was interesting. Many of the parts included a live mezzo-soprano on stage in a heavy burgundy dress, singing lugubriously, often in German. The set involved lights and balls, which the dancers at times directly interacted with.

Much of the dancing was fascinating and exiting. Definitely not boring. But the piece as a whole did not come together. All the different elements (set design, music, costumes, singer, dancing) didn't make sense to me. I might have preferred a sparse set. And the tone of the music, so somber, so grim, was kind of a downer. Again, the dancing I found superb. But I'm not sure if this is a company I'll check out again.