This week’s newsletter is packed with exciting developments and unique ballet performances you won’t want to miss!
First, meet Julio Bocca, the former star of American Ballet Theater, who will take the reins of Argentina’s National Ballet at Teatro Colón starting in February, with plans to elevate the company’s standards and keep top Argentine dancers performing locally. Next, immerse yourself in the dystopian world of Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, as it is reimagined into a powerful ballet by Sir Wayne McGregor, with music by Max Richter, exploring themes of environmental collapse and hope. Finally, silent film fans will love the National Ballet of Canada’s Silent Screen, a captivating fusion of ballet and silent film, set to the music of Philip Glass and choreographed by Sol León and Paul Lightfoot, offering a truly unforgettable experience.
Looking for more? Keep on scrolling for more ballet fun!
Julio Bocca, a celebrated Argentine dancer and former star of American Ballet Theater, has been appointed artistic director of Argentina's national ballet company at the Teatro Colón, beginning in February. With support from new leadership, Bocca aims to elevate the company's standards through increased rehearsal hours, diverse repertoire, and international partnerships, hoping to attract talented Argentine dancers to stay and perform on home soil.
Photo Credit: Anita Pouchard Serra for The New York Times
Photo Credit: Peter Simins/WWD/Penske Media via Getty Images
Judith Jamison, renowned dancer and former artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has died at 81 in New York, surrounded by close friends after a brief illness. Known for her powerful performances and groundbreaking leadership, Jamison’s legacy lives on through her impact on dance, her pioneering presence as a Black ballerina, and her influential two-decade tenure directing the Ailey company.
Celebrating its 35th season, San Diego Ballet continues to showcase an expansive repertoire across San Diego venues, led by Artistic Director Javier Velasco and Executive Director Matt Carney. Based in Liberty Station, the company emphasizes its mission to engage diverse audiences with both classical and contemporary dance that reflects San Diego’s unique culture.
Photo Credit: San Diego Ballet
Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy, which explores humanity’s self-destructive tendencies through speculative fiction, has inspired a visionary ballet adaptation by Sir Wayne McGregor with music by Max Richter. This dystopian ballet, combining dance, music, and multimedia, evokes Atwood’s themes of environmental ruin, utopianism, and genetic manipulation, ultimately offering a complex perspective on hope and human survival.
Photo Credit: Jennifer Roberts via The Telegraph
If You’re Around This Weekend
New Jersey Ballet presents Creative Forces at Two River Theater on Saturday, Nov. 16, with performances at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., showcasing works by acclaimed choreographers Jerome Robbins, Peter Martins, and Justin Peck. This program celebrates the depth of ballet through both classic and contemporary pieces, promising an unforgettable experience of storytelling through movement.
If You Feel Like Watching
Join Veronica K, the dancer, Physical Therapist Assistant, and certified personal trainer as she enhances your ballet turnout safely with expert guidance on myofascial mobility techniques that improve flexibility, reduce strain, and prevent injuries caused by forcing turnout. Learn key conditioning exercises to strengthen alignment and technique, helping you achieve optimal turnout while preserving long-term dance health.
The National Ballet of Canada’s new production, Silent Screen, brilliantly blends the elegance of ballet with the artistry of silent film. Featuring music by Philip Glass, choreography by Sol León and Paul Lightfoot, and the stunning performances of principal dancers Hannah Galway and Christopher Gerty, this unique collaboration promises to leave a lasting impression on audiences.
Searching for unique holiday gift ideas? The West Australian Ballet has you covered, as some of their dancers share stories of their most memorable gifts—from beach getaways in Cuba to antique daggers. Watch the video for fresh inspiration to think outside the box this holiday season!
If You Feel Like Listening
The Rosin Box is back with hosts Claire Kretzschmar and Soloist Aarón Sanz, joined by Principal Dancer Unity Phelan and Corps de Ballet Member Naomi Corti for an open discussion. Together, they debunk ballet myths, touching on everything from Black Swan stereotypes and dating within the dance world to the secrets of an ideal "ballerina pedicure”.
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