Paul Taylor News

Making their Auditorium Theatre debut, Houston Ballet brings their enchanted production of celebrated choreographer David Bintley's 'Aladdin' to the landmark stage, March 22 - 23, 2014.

In March 2014, Juilliard Dances Repertory presents repertory works by acclaimed choreographers Eliot Feld, Juilliard alumnus Lar Lubovitch, and Twyla Tharp. Juilliard dancers perform Concerto Six Twenty-Two by Lar Lubovitch; Baker's Dozen by Twyla Tharp; and The Jig is Up by Eliot Feld. All three dances were choreographed between 1979 and 1986, and Juilliard dancers will have the opportunity to learn the dances through intensive work with two of the choreographers - Eliot Feld and Lar Lubovitch - and with Shelley Washington, an original member of the cast of Twyla Tharp's work.

Carnegie Hall celebrates the 40th anniversary of the groundbreaking contemporary music ensemble Kronos Quartet with a one-night-only concert in Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage featuring collaborations with some of the group's close colleagues and longtime artistic partners on Friday, March 28 at 8:00 p.m. The program includes the world premiere of Terry Riley's The Serquent Risadome, commissioned by Carnegie Hall and written for the anniversary, which marks the 27th new work for Kronos by the acclaimed California maverick composer.

Pace Presents will bring an exciting season of dance this spring to the Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University. Six critically acclaimed dance companies will captivate Schimmel Center audiences with an eclectic range of dance styles and virtuosic performances from some of the world's most talented dancers. They are Brian Sanders' JUNK from March 6-March 8; LA CURVA Israel Galvan from March 13 to March 14; RUBBERBANDance Group from March 20-22; ABT Studio Company on March 28; Taylor 2 from April 24 to April 26; and From the Horse's Mouth Tickets for all companies range from $25 to $55 and can be purchased by calling (866) 811-4111 or by vvisiting http://schimmel.pace.edu. Brian Sanders' JUNK (March 6-March 8) Experimental dance-theatre company JUNK, formed by MOMIX alumnus, Brian Sanders makes it's NY is known for their ingenious use of found objects and clever inventions that bridge the gap between dance and physical theatre. Sanders' choreography blends traditional dance theatre with an inventiveness and physicality that gives reason for critics to hail JUNK as 'Philly's most imaginative perpetrator of dare-devilish physical theatre' and declare Sanders as 'the city's most exciting choreographer.'

Three world premieres by Maurice Causey, Charles Moulton and Artistic Director Charles Anderson headline the spring program of Company C Contemporary Ballet April 25-May 11 at ODC Theater in San Francisco and the Lesher Theater in Walnut Creek. The 12-year-old Company will close its 2014 season with a program featuring the world premiere of a new ballet by Maurice Causey (title to be announced), the world premiere of Charles Moulton's New Country and the world premiere of Charles Anderson's What's Behind Door #3 along with reprises of excerpts from Anderson'sAposiopesis and excerpts from Patrick Corbin's Partly Cloudy. [Editor note: the program has changed since originally announced in August, 2013]. Complete program details are listed below. For more information, visit www.companycballet.org .

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, will travel coast to coast beginning in February on a 23-city North American tour hitting major markets such as Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Washington, D.C., and Chicago (full schedule below). The 25th season since the passing of legendary founder Alvin Ailey is led by Artistic Director Robert Battle who continues to expand the Company's diverse repertory with a wide range of important choreographic voices. Exciting premieres and new productions give Ailey's 30 extraordinary dancers even more ways to inspire audiences. Highlights of the season, launching in New York in December, include: (tour programming will be announced by January):

The Board of Directors and Executive Director/Producer/Founder of THE COLUMN Awards Organization, John Garcia, have announced that Tony Award nominee, Broadway sensation Orfeh will be their special guest star and Co-host for the 14th Annual COLUMN Awards Gala. The extrava When the 15th annual COLUMN Award nominations were announced Sunday evening history was being made as the organization has completely retooled and reorganized their voting process. Theatre Three leads the Equity field with 37 nominations while Mainstage-Las Colinas leads the Non-equity field with 31 nominations.

Sam Mendes's production of 'King Lear' opened at the National Theater last week, with Simon Russell Beale in the title role. Let's see what the critics had to say:

Artistic Director Karen A. Fuhrman announced that GROUNDED AERIAL, a visceral aerial Dance Company, will present EMOTIONALLY CHARGED CHOREOGRAPHY AMPLIFIED INTO THE AIR tonight, January 25th at 8pm at the Lehman Center for Performing Arts (250 Bedford Park Boulevard, West Bronx).

INTERMEZZO Dance Company, founded by American Ballet Theatre soloist Craig Salstein, will be featured in Edward Henkel's MovementTalks on Friday, January 31, 2014 at 8pm. In its second appearance, INTERMEZZO will perform and take part in a panel discussion at the 92nd Street Y Harkness Dance Center, 1395 Lexington Avenue (between 91st and 92nd Streets), NYC. Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased at www.92y.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=96462 or 212.415.5500.

Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will present the legendary Paul Taylor Dance Company on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 13–14.

To commemorate 60 years of groundbreaking modern dance by a living legend, Paul Taylor has invited his alumni dancers to revive one his most profound works, From Sea to Shining Sea, at a special added performance on Sunday, March 23rd at 6:00 p.m. as part of the Paul Taylor Dance Company's three-week Season at Lincoln Center. Forty-six dancers have accepted Mr. Taylor's invitation to join members from the current Company.

The choreography of David Parsons has always been a mystery to me. He has ideas and a vision, yet they never gel. This was apparent to my colleague and me when we attended the David Parsons gala on January 14. While not exclusively dedicated to Mr. Parsons-there were tributes to Paul Taylor in whose company Parsons danced, and Robert Battle, who performed in the Parsons company--we came away feeling that if this is what we have to show for modern dance today, it needs some rejuvenation-and thought. Why are these works being done when there is little that they say?

THE DUCHESS OF MALFI opened at Shakespeare's Globe on January 9, 2014 starring Gemma Arterton in the title role. Let's see what the critics had to say:

Parsons Dance, one of the nation's most popular and acclaimed modern dance companies, will honor three legends of the dance world -- Paul Taylor, David Parsons and Robert Battle -- at its gala tonight, January 14 at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street). The event, a celebration of the company's 30th Anniversary Season, will include a performance at The Joyce, followed by dinner, dancing and a live auction at the nearby Chelsea home of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, 547 West 26th Street (transportation will be provided). For tickets and additional information, please visit http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=6830 or call (212) 869-9275.

Parsons Dance, one of the nation's most popular and acclaimed modern dance companies, will honor three legends of the dance world -- Paul Taylor, David Parsons and Robert Battle -- at its gala on Tuesday, January 14 at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue at 19th Street). The event, a celebration of the company's 30th Anniversary Season, will include a performance at The Joyce, followed by dinner, dancing and a live auction at the nearby Chelsea home of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, 547 West 26th Street (transportation will be provided). For tickets and additional information, please visit http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=6830 or call (212) 869-9275.

This spring 2014 season, American Repertory Ballet will present the premiere of Douglas Martin's Firebird, set to Stravinsky's dramatic score. At 'Behind the Music: Stravinsky's Firebird', an On Pointe Enrichment Series event, ARB Artistic Director Douglas Martin and guest lecturer Maestro Michael Pratt will discuss this ballet's music and history. 'Behind the Music' will be held today, January 10, 2014 at 5:15pm at Princeton Ballet School (301 North Harrison Street, above McCaffrey's Supermarket).

Gotham Arts Exchange presents the eighth annual presentation of FOCUS 2014: DANCE GOTHAM from today, January 10-12, 2014 at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South), NYC.

I wanted to take the time to introduce a few of my castmates during my blogging stint, so I've put together a few questions that will hopefully give you some insight into who they are and their connection to the show. Who better to begin with than Cassie? I have had the great pleasure of working with this beautiful and talented soul on the show previously. It is an immense comfort knowing that she is standing next to me on the line again. She is family.