Monte Carlo News

New York City Center will present Pacific Northwest Ballet in its first full-company performance in NYC since 1996, tonight, February 13-16, 2013.

Jacob's Pillow Dance and MASS MoCA co-present world-renowned contemporary ballet ensemble Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal March 2-3 at MASS MoCA's Hunter Center for the Performing Arts. The Montreal-based dance company blends a variety of dance styles, influences, and music in three diverse works by prominent, international choreographers: Wen Wei Wang of Canada, Spain's Cayetano Soto, and Israeli-American dancemaker Barak Marshall. This co-presentation coincides with the final month of MASS MoCA's Oh, Canada exhibit, the largest survey of Canadian contemporary art ever produced outside of Canada.

In our latest Regional Dance Company of the Week feature, we get to know the Salt Creek Ballet Company in Westmont, Illinois!

Bello Nock, the circus superstar Time Magazine calls "America's Best Clown," will amuse and amaze children of all ages as he performs his unique blend of comic daredevilry in a theatrical setting for his brand new show, Bello Mania. Adding a unique and personal touch to the big thrills and laughter audiences have come to expect from their favorite entertainer, Bello will be joined on stage by his daughter Annaleise and supported back stage by his wife, Jennifer, and daughter Amariah. The U.S. premiere of Bello Mania is a true family affair that will perform at The New Victory Theater, 209 West 42nd Street, from March 15-31, 2013.

Byron Lars Beauty Mark is scheduled to debut its Fall 2013 collection February 14, 2013 during New York Fashion Week. The Byron Lars Beauty Mark Fall 2013 collection is a textile laboratory gone mad! 'It's really all about the fabric this season', says Lars. 'I'm absolutely obsessed at the moment with any textile that pulsates with texture and energy... the kind that compels you to just reach out and touch them!'

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, or the 'Trocks', have just started their 2013 UK tour. Back by popular demand, this ballet company provides an alternate view of classical ballet and features an entire company of men performing roles traditionally danced by women. Their comic approach to the art form has meant critical acclaim all over the world. The Trocks were formed thirty five years ago and judging from tonight's performance, their appeal has no sign of fading.

February 2, 1954 marks the 59th anniversary of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. Wasn't the ballet presented in December? No, you are wrong. It was first unveiled by the New York City Ballet in 1954 for a few performances. It proved so popular that the company presented the ballet for an extended December run in 1954. It's been like that to this day.

Maria Youskevitch, longtime faculty member at Princeton Ballet School, is one of this year's American Repertory Ballet Gala Honorees, and is the recipient of this year's Audree Estey Award for Excellence in Dance Education. Daughter of one of the leading dancers of the 20th century, Igor Youskevitch, Ms. Youskevitch brings a strong background in and deep knowledge of ballet to her students. She teaches for a variety of levels and, every year, re-stages a full-length classical ballet on Princeton Ballet School students for the School's Spring Production. She has also served as Rehearsal Director for American Repertory Ballet, the professional company associated with Princeton Ballet School, on several occasions.

Canal Park Playhouse has announced Avner the Eccentric's return to New York with his show EXCEPTIONS TO GRAVITY, EXCEPTIONS TO GRAVITY begins performances on Friday, March 1 for a limited engagement through Sunday, March 25. Performances take place at Canal Park Playhouse (508 Canal Street, between Greenwich and West Streets in Tribeca). The performance schedule is Fridays at 7 PM; Saturdays at 1 PM and 7 PM; and Sundays at 1 PM & 4 PM. The regular ticket price is $20. For tickets or more information, call OvationTix on 1-866-811-4111 or visit www.canalparkplayhouse.com.

New York City Center will present Pacific Northwest Ballet in its first full-company performance in NYC since 1996, February 13-16, 2013. PNB, celebrating its 40th Anniversary season, will present two programs featuring a mixed repertoire of Balanchine ballets and Jean-Christophe Maillot's full-length Roméo et Juliette. The troupe will be accompanied by the PNB Orchestra, led by Music Director and Principal Conductor Emil de Cou.

Punk rock greats, The Adicts, come to Hard Rock Cafe with special guests on Friday, March 15.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Jacques Lacombe present a Winter Festival program featuring Tchaikovsky and Sibelius works inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest. The Orchestra augments Sibelius' music with performances by actors from The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. The program also includes Beethoven's Symphony No. 6, 'Pastoral.'

Maria Tallchief, the first Native American to win acclaim as a prima ballerina, was born on January 24, 1925. While she worked with many companies and choreographers, she is most renowned for her collaboration with George Balanchine, first at the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and then, most importantly and famously, at the New York City Ballet. She was married to Balanchine from 1946 until 1952, when the marriage was annulled. Despite this interruption in their private lives they continued their professional association.

New Jersey Nights takes you on a musical journey celebrating the greatest hits of the internationally successful American rock and pop band The Four Seasons, who shot to worldwide fame in the mid 1960s. The incredibly popular group fronted by Frankie Valli even enjoyed the accolade of most popular rock band before The Beatles burst on to the music scene.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo will play Birmingham Hippodrome, 1-2 Feb 2013. In the video below, go backstage at the world-famous Follies Bergere in Paris to hear more from dancer Raffaele Morra about his life with the troupe!

On this date in 1898 Raymonda premiered at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. The production had music by Alexander Glazunov, choreography by Marius Petipa and an all star cast (for its day) that included Pierina Legnani, Sergey Legat, Olga Peobrajenska and Pavel Gerdt.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Jacques Lacombe present Beethoven's 'Pastoral' Sixth Symphony on a program that celebrates three generations of Viennese composers. NJSO Principal Trumpet Garth Greenup performs Haydn's Trumpet Concerto, and the Orchestra performs Brahms' Variations on a Theme by Haydn.