Ballet in the Mainstream
Reaching Out to New Audiences With A Flash Mob
On Saturday night, Miami City Ballet dancers performed our very first “Random Act of Culture” in the style of a flash mob, during one of Miami’s most popular monthly art events: Wynwood Arts Walk. On the second Saturday of every month, hundreds of young, hip Miamians head towards the increasingly popular Wynwood Arts District to roam around art galleries, eat from gourmet food trucks, and sip on cocktails. This week, Miami City Ballet decided to reach out to these young people by performing the first movement from Paul Taylor’s Piazzolla Caldera randomly in the middle of the Wynwood Walls. This was the...
Read MoreIs America Beginning To Appreciate Ballet?
Last night, the popular Fox TV show, So You Think You Can Dance, made history by selecting not one, but two ballet dancers as the winners of Season 9. This of course is exciting news, but I think it has a deeper message. Is it possible that maybe, just maybe, America is starting to appreciate ballet? It all started a couple of years ago with the blockbuster film “Black Swan,” that portrayed a warped picture of the ballet world. Now when the subject of ballet comes up in social conversation, many people will say, “Oh you are a ballet dancer? Like Black Swan?” Well no not really. But I suppose we should be glad that the movie gave people...
Read MoreGet Your Fill of Breaking Pointe Dance
Feeling disappointed that you didn’t see enough of the choreography from tonight’s episode of Breaking Pointe on the CW? Check out TENDUS’ list of online videos of Ballet West’s repertoire from the “Opening Night” episode. Note, these videos are not of Ballet West, but for you to enjoy seeing more complete videos of the ballets and appreciate the choreography. Paquita. Please note, Ballet West’s choreography is by Elena Kunikova after Marius Petipa. The choreography shown in this video, is also after Marius Petipa. Emeralds (George Balanchine) from Oscar on Vimeo. Petite Mort Part 1 of 2 Petite Mort Part 2 of...
Read MoreA Book For Every Aspiring Dancer: ‘Girl In Motion’
Those of you who spend quite a bit of time in the online dance community have probably heard that former Miami City Ballet Dancer, Miriam Wenger-Landis, has just come out with her second novel, Breaking Pointe (which was given it’s name long before the CW television show premiered). In honor of the release of her second book, Ms. Wenger-Landis has agreed to two interviews for TENDUS, one on each of her publications. Girl in Motion the prequel to Breaking Pointe, follows young aspiring ballet dancer, Anna, as she makes the transition from her home town to the world of competitive ballet schools. Anna encounters many ups and downs in her two years at the School...
Read MoreInterview with Breaking Pointe Star, Allison DeBona
After the popularity of my review on the new CW series, Breaking Pointe, I was put in touch with one of the show’s stars, Allison DeBona. She left a comment on my review of the show, so I thought I would give her the opportunity to sound off here on TENDUS. Ms. DeBona dishes on how the show was filmed, her relationship with Rex, her response to critics, and what we can expect in coming episodes. You won’t want to miss this exclusive interview with Ballet West Demi-Soloist, Allison DeBona: RK: Can you tell us a little bit about your your career and time you have spent with Ballet West. AD: I started at Ballet West in 2007 as an Apprentice. I...
Read MoreBallet’s Television Downfall: Bunheads
I feel as if I have been a television blogger recently. It seems that everywhere we look these days, with the click of your remote you will come across another dance show. These shows do, of course, generate exposure for the dance world and initiate dance based conversations among Americans. But what are these conversations like? Are these viewers saying, “Wow. I think I am going to go see my local ballet company perform this weekend!” I doubt it: but that should be the goal. Today, America is talking about Bunheads. As you have all probably seen, last week I posted my thoughts on the new CW reality show, Breaking Pointe, following the lives of...
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