We are so excited to have you back for this edition of Dance Rhythm, your number one source for all things ballet!
Get a behind-the-scenes look at Next Generation Ballet’s Summer Intensive
Program and their upcoming showcase, where they nurture future ballet stars from around the world. Then discover how Louise Halliday, Audience Director at the Royal Albert Hall, is making a powerful statement with an extraordinary
performance of Swan Lake, aimed at urging the next government to prioritize arts funding in schools. Plus, don’t miss the triumphant return of Aspen Santa Fe Ballet after a five-year hiatus, as they launch their first full summer season with the mission to revive the dance culture in Aspen and Santa Fe.
Think these stories sound good? Just wait till you see the rest!
Architecture studio OODA has unveiled Bond Tower, two interconnected skyscrapers in Tirana, Albania, inspired by the plié position of a ballet dancer. The towers, featuring residential, commercial, office, and hotel spaces, will have facades that reflect traditional Albanian carpets and a design that merges historical heritage with contemporary architecture.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet (ASFB) announced its return in 2024 with its first full summer season after a five-year hiatus, featuring gala performances from
prestigious ballet companies like Joffrey Ballet, Royal Ballet, and Houston Ballet. Despite ending its touring activities in 2021, ASFB maintained its schools and community programs, and now aims to rekindle the vibrant dance culture in Aspen and Santa Fe with an eclectic mix of performances and collaborations.
The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) celebrated the 50th anniversary of George Balanchine’s "Coppélia" with performances featuring 32 young dancers from the Capital Region. These children performed scenes from "Coppélia" as part of the New York City Ballet's Swan Lake & Stars and Stripes program, showcasing their dedication and joy in dance.
The Pacific Northwest Ballet's third Dance Film Festival, created by PNB soloist and filmmaker Price Suddarth, will have a free screening at the Mural Amphitheatre on Aug. 3 at 9 p.m. The festival, born from the creative surge during COVID lockdowns, will feature seven short films selected from 500 submissions across 38 countries, vetted by a panel of artistic directors.
Lauren Anderson, a former principal dancer with the Houston Ballet, is teaching at the Louisville Ballet Summer Intensive, where students train like professionals in an inclusive environment. The program, held at the Ogle Center at Indiana University Southeast, features daily classes and rehearsals culminating in a performance, with auditions required for enrollment.
In Beirut’s Metro Al Madina, black-clad dancers rehearse "Aswad," a 35-minute performance with music by Palestinian composer Makimakkuk, celebrating resilience and redemption. Beirut Contemporary Ballet, founded in 2018 by Jana Younes and Jens Bjerregaard, aims to establish itself as a significant cultural presence in Lebanon, despite the country's limited formal dance education and performance spaces.
If You’re Around This Weekend
Join A.V.A. Ballet Theatre for an exhilarating experience as they revive "Vortex: The Ballet That Rocks." Featuring shark tanks, cars, special effects, and more, this is a ballet like no other. Best of all, admission is free—just show up! Catch the performance on July 19-20 at Bartley Ranch, with doors opening at 7:00 PM and the show starting at 8:30 PM.
Next Generation Ballet nurtures future ballet stars globally through their Summer Intensive program at the Straz Center in Tampa, Florida. This year, they've teamed up with Ballet West to bring diverse staff to help students refine their techniques and push their limits. The program's showcase will be this Friday, July 19th, at 7 PM.
If You Feel Like Watching
Louise Halliday, Audience Director at the Royal Albert Hall, aims to highlight the urgent need for increased arts funding through their ambitious staging of Swan Lake. Featuring a unique circular stage and a large cast, the production combines the scale of three traditional Swan Lake performances. Halliday emphasizes that without adequate funding, there's a significant risk of losing future talents in singing, writing, and dance. She advocates for prioritizing arts education in schools to secure long-term cultural development.
If You Feel Like Listening
Intimacy direction in dance involves establishing effective communication, setting boundaries, and fostering trust among dancers to enhance collaboration and respect. Experts Nicole Perry and Sarah Lozoff, who have consulted for RudduR Dance and American Ballet Theater, share practical advice and real world examples on incorporating these practices into ballet training to prevent misunderstandings and improve studio work.
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