Juan Michael Porter II - Page 2

If an audience is full of Black, Brown, Asian or whatever color people, you as a director will think twice about programming La Bayadere or Petrushka. I really believe that.

'If you ask me if a traditional Swan Lake at the Mariinsky can have a black girl in the corps de ballet, I can tell you honestly that I don't have the answer. But I feel like telling you no.' JC Maillot

After experiencing a performance like last night's one yearns for another 1000 years of revelations. In keeping with honouring the affiliated school's anniversary, it feels comforting to know that there is a clear pipeline for keeping the company strong. Here's to a continued vision of strength in 2020.

“Mr. Ailey had this notion that a dancer needed to know or understand multiple techniques and styles,” she explains. “He was ahead of his time in that regard. Without realizing it, he was thinking about the future o

On the cusp of Nimbus Dance Works' 15th Anniversary season, artistic director and former Martha Graham Company soloist, Sam Pott, spoke with me about his company's new building and endless pursuit of fighting for greater support of the arts. The only question I had was, 'Why aren't more people talking about Sam Pott?'

Watching Ballet Hispánico perform at The Apollo Theatre on November 22nd made one aware of how much there is to feel thankful for in this politically tumultuous time where Latino cultures are frequently maligned by those currently skulking in the White House.

The company soared in DeJesus' soulful pas de deux from 'Bittersweet'. Perhaps it was Oleta Adams' stirring voice, or maybe it was a relief after having finished Tabernacle, but Mayzik was nothing short of amazing in this sexy pas de deux with Sarita Apel.

Tiffany Rea-Fisher has a command of the company style, an extensive network of connections, and understands how to engage the crucial youth demographic that is the lifeblood of any evolving company (without alienating the longtime, and aging fanbase.)

Fifteen years, two goodbyes, and a reunion of dancers: that's how Miro Magloire celebrated the 15th season of New Chamber Ballet. Those goodbyes included founding member Elizabeth Brown and ten year veteran Sarah Atkins, both of whom have blessed the company with virtuosity and spiritual purity in their dancing.

A packed house, even on a rainy Sunday afternoon in NYC, speaks of great success. It also indicates the respect that Vangeline commands as an artist and missionary of Butoh. In recent years her audience and recognition have expanded in appreciation of her efforts to bring Butoh into the 21st century.

Donald McKayle was well represented at Lincoln Center on November 12th, 2019 with performances that touched on three periods of his long life as a choreographer and educator.

While I look forward to observing their world premieres, I am excited beyond words to experience 'Con Brazos Abiertos'' again. It literally deserves to make the best dance performance list of any year.

Under Michael Novak's artistic direction Paul Taylor American Modern Dance's dancers look smashing and ready to begin a new era while continuing to honour their forefather who passed away just over a year ago.

I could write more about the latter part of this evening's marvels, but I'd rather leave you with this: Forsythe can beguile an audience with three simple gestures. It feels perverse when he chooses not to.

Company XIV's seductively queer-flavored burlesque Queen of Hearts is celebrating Halloween with an end-of-month blowout. It's an out-of-this-world playground destination for sexy-folks of all persuasions who are looking for a safe place to get debaucherous without any of the accompanying shenanigans that NYC can throw one's way.

Ever the restless creature, Whelan uses The Day to confront her fans with the reality of who she is versus who they expect her to be.

Fini Dance Festival's students knock the audience's socks off while putting their elders to shame. But is that a good thing?

I'm certain that we will see Camille A. Brown awarded again soon. She deserves a nomination just for the performance she unleashed during this Bessie ceremony. Is there another dancer in the world whose deep scholarship comes through so clearly with every breath she or he takes?

Roberto Villanueva founded BalaSole Dance Company nine years ago to combat the discrimination against 'atypical bodies' that one encounters in dance. Take Villanueva himself: a dazzling soloist with sparkling technique and facility that puts him in Sylvie Guillem's league, at 5 foot 2 inches, his atypical height all but barred him from working with major companies. His response to that exclusion was to create BalaSole, a showcase for talented, atypical dancers.

Superstar 'Punk Ballerina' Karole Armitage reveals the secrets behind breaking cycles of obsession in this revealing interview about her upcoming show, 'You Took A Part Of Me'. This revival is back by popular demand following a sold-out run at Japan Society.