Swan Lake Samba Girl - Latest Comments in Dance Critics Association Conference at Swan Lake Samba Girl

Re: Dance Critics Association Conference at Swan Lake Samba Girl

Robert Abrams — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:41:06 -0000

I have finally recovered enough from the DCA conference to review Tonya's Blackpool article. It is worth the wait. You can find it here:
http://www.exploredance.com/ar...

By the way, if any one wants to get involved with the Dance Critics Association, email me at dca@robertabrams.net. You do not need to be a full time, paid dance critic to join and benefit. (Other than Alastair, is there any one left any where in the US who is a full staff dance critic with medical benefits etc. at a newspaper?) The conference was great, the DCA Newsletter has resumed regular publication, and there is more to come.

Cheers,

Robert

Re: Dance Critics Association Conference at Swan Lake Samba Girl

Dea — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 10:17:08 -0000

I really wanted to have attended but I couldn't get the day off at work. I'm looking forward to reading your accounts! And now I'm intrigued about Alastair's demonstrations you guys are talking about! hehehe

Re: Dance Critics Association Conference at Swan Lake Samba Girl

SwanLakeSambaGirl — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 23:30:43 -0000

It's funny that he demonstrated. When I saw him speak at Barnard after he first became chief critic, he demonstrated the fluttering of the arms in Swan Lake (I can't remember why now), but it was gorgeous! People gasped! He said he has no real training in ballet -- it's all in ballroom -- but at least from his arms I believe he could have been a ballet dancer!

Re: Dance Critics Association Conference at Swan Lake Samba Girl

jolene — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:42:41 -0000

ooh, Doug, that sounds fascinating. Please elaborate!

It reminds me a little of dance history class - in the opening of Serenade, of starting in parallel and opening up to the turned out first position, as if Balanchine is transforming the normal everyday body into a dancing body. Our professor also used Concerto Barocco to study Suzanne Farrell's musicality, of how she beautifully lagged a hair behind the beat.

Re: Dance Critics Association Conference at Swan Lake Samba Girl

Taylor — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:01:32 -0000

Agreed, Doug. I loved how he demonstrated, haha.

Re: Dance Critics Association Conference at Swan Lake Samba Girl

Doug Fox — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 11:47:29 -0000

By the way, I thought Alastair Macaulay gave excellent presentation. I especially liked his demonstration of opening of Balanchine's Concerto Barocco -- he showed how dancers went from 5th position to a weight change - impressive.

I really should elaborate on what I spoke about.