Dance takes center stage across different realms, from electrifying performances to critical industry analysis.
First, Lady Gaga premiered her high-energy dance track Abracadabra, unveiling a visually striking music video featuring a choreographed battle between light and dark, co-directed with Parris Goebel. Meanwhile, legendary contemporary dancer Margie Gillis explores the art of yielding in movement with OLD, her final full-length solo performance, delving into the complexities of aging with grace and vulnerability. On the analytical side of the dance world, Elizabeth Yntema, president of Dance Data Project, joins Conversations On Dance to discuss the latest Artistic and Executive Director compensation report, highlighting the ongoing gender pay gap and executive pay raises despite financial deficits.
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Alexei Ratmansky’s revival of Paquita for the New York City Ballet merges 19th century Russian classical ballet with the company’s contemporary style, layering Marius Petipa’s original choreography through the perspectives of George Balanchine and Ratmansky himself. As dancers navigate the historical nuances of the piece, they bring fresh interpretations to its classical purity, blending past and present while preserving the grandeur and artistry that define the ballet’s legacy.
The Boston Ballet School will acquire the Brookline Ballet School this summer, expanding its presence in the region and integrating at least 100 new students into its programs. While no immediate changes are planned, the transition will include town halls for community input, the introduction of live musicians for rehearsals, and potential adaptive ballet programs to enhance accessibility.
The UCF dance team made history by earning its first-ever medal in the hip hop finals, securing third place with a 95.27 event score after a near-perfect performance. Additionally, UCF’s coed cheer team achieved its 26th top-five finish, making the Knights one of only two schools to reach the finals in both D1A coed cheer and hip hop.
Choreographer Vicki Igbokwe-Ozoagu’s club-inspired dance work, Our Mighty Groove, will open the new Sadler’s Wells East theatre, a state-of-the-art venue dedicated to showcasing both emerging and professional dance talent. Designed as a dynamic and immersive space, the theatre aims to foster community engagement while hosting innovative performances, including an audience inclusive dancefloor experience in Our Mighty Groove.
Tap dancer Caleb Teicher and pianist Conrad Tao bring Counterpoint to Vancouver’s Chan Centre, blending classical music and jazz with tap dance in a dynamic interplay of rhythm and movement. Highlighting Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue alongside works by Bach and Schoenberg, the performance showcases the duo’s seamless artistic dialogue, redefining musical and choreographic collaboration.
If You’re Around This Weekend
Join Club NYC for their Black History Month Show this Saturday, February 8, at 6 PM at 3 Dollar Bill in Brooklyn, NY. Don’t miss this electrifying event, featuring a dynamic lineup of performers celebrating Black culture and artistry!
If You Feel Like Watching
Jessica Shaw’s hip-hop dance workout, Sweat with Jess, offers more than just a fitness routine—it’s a vibrant space where women can express themselves, gain confidence, and find support. With an upbeat atmosphere and inclusive approach, this class is perfect for anyone wanting to get moving, de-stress, and enjoy the rhythm, no matter their fitness level.
Lady Gaga premiered her new dance track “Abracadabra” during a Grammys commercial break, unveiling a visually striking music video featuring a high energy choreography battle between light and dark, co-directed by Gaga alongside Parris Goebel and Bethany Vargas. With a team of 40 dancers, Gaga and Goebel crafted intricate choreography that showcases dynamic movement, reinforcing the song’s fast-tempo energy and the album’s bold, theatrical aesthetic.
At 71, acclaimed contemporary dancer Margie Gillis embraces movement as an act of yielding, a theme she explores in OLD, her final full-length solo performance premiering February 7 at Winnipeg’s Rachel Browne Theatre. Featuring a set designed by longtime collaborator Randal Newman, OLD delves into the complexities of aging with grace and vulnerability, inviting audiences to witness Gillis’s evolving artistry through dance and storytelling.
If You Feel Like Listening
Elizabeth Yntema, president and founder of Dance Data Project, joins Conversations On Dance hosts to discuss their newly released Artistic and Executive Director compensation report. She breaks down key findings, including the persistent gender pay gap and executive pay increases despite financial deficits—full report available at dancedataproject.com.
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