John Cranko News

From November 23 - December 30, 2012, Houston Ballet celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 25 years ago.

Internationally acclaimed Companhia de Danca Deborah Colker return to the Barbican with Tatyana, a new piece inspired by Alexander Pushkin's masterpiece Eugene Onegin.

One of Australia's most acclaimed ballerinas will take her final curtain call next month. After a stage career spanning 21 years, 18 of those spent at The Australian Ballet, Principal Artist Rachel Rawlins has announced that she will retire at the end of the Swan Lake season in Sydney. Her last show in the title role of Odette will be Wednesday 19 December 2012.

From November 23 - December 30, 2012, Houston Ballet celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 25 years ago. The beloved ballet tells the story of a little girl named Clara who is given a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve. She encounters the frightful King Rat before embarking on a wondrous journey through the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. Young and old alike will experience the many special effects, including the Christmas tree which "grows" to 40 feet, 200 pounds of "snow" falling during the snow scene, and the firing of cannon onstage.

On Friday, November 30, 2012, Houston Ballet presents its ninth annual Jubilee of Dance: A Tribute to Amy Fote, a special one-night only performance showcasing the talent and artistry of the company dancers in a program of high-energy excerpts from signature works and beloved classics. Houston Chronicle dance critic Molly Glentzer called the 2006 Jubilee of Dance "the event of the season," noting, "The audience gave it a rousing standing ovation." The Jubilee of Dance will be held at Wortham Theater Center in downtown Houston.

Luna Negra Dance Theater continues its family-oriented winter series, Luna Niños, this season with the second dance "episode" of the adventures of Moniquilla and friends, this year titled "Moniquilla and the Moon Monster," presented in three performances only at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Friday, November 30 at 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday, December 1-2 at 3 pm.

Luna Negra Dance Theater continues its family-oriented winter series, Luna Niños, this season with the second dance "episode" of the adventures of Moniquilla and friends, this year titled "Moniquilla and the Moon Monster," presented in three performances only at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street, Friday, November 30 at 7 pm and Saturday-Sunday, December 1-2 at 3 pm.

From November 23 - December 30, 2012, Houston Ballet celebrates the 25th anniversary of Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker, seen by over 1,000,000 people since its premiere 25 years ago.

Das Wiener Staatsballett lädt zu den 'Wiener Ballett Tagen': in der Wiener Staatsoper bildet 'Balanchine | Neumeier | Robbins' am 25. Oktober 2012 den Auftakt zu insgesamt 9 Ballettvorstellungen. Auf dem Programm stehen vier Produktionen: 'Balanchine | Neumeier | Robbins' am 25. und 29. Oktober sowie am 1. und 4. November, Rudolf Nurejews 'Der Nussknacker' am 26. Oktober, John Crankos 'Romeo und Julia' am 31. Oktober sowie am 2. und 6. November und 'Meisterwerke des 20. Jahrhunderts' mit Choreographien von Serge Lifar, Nils Christe und Roland Petit am 9. November. Dazu kommt der vom Wiener Staatsballett in der Volksoper Wien getanzte Abend 'Carmina Burana' am 12. November.

The highly acclaimed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet will present a program of three NYC premieres, at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue at 19th street) from tonight, October 16 - 21.

The highly acclaimed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet will present a program of three NYC premieres, at The Joyce Theater (175 Eighth Avenue at 19th street) from October 16 - 21. Tickets range in price from $10-$59 and can be arranged online at www.Joyce.org or by calling JoyceCharge at 212-242-0800.

The Joffrey Ballet's 2012-2013 season launches this fall with a mixed repertory program titled "Human Landscapes," featuring three choreographers exploring principles of the human spirit through dance. The Joffrey brings James Kudelka's critically acclaimed Pretty BALLET back to the stage along with Ji?i Kylian's rarely seen work Forgotten Land. A highlight of the season is the ground-breaking anti-war ballet The Green Table, choreographed by Kurt Jooss in the aftermath of World War I. The "Human Landscapes" program is presented in 10 performances only at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University, 50 E. Congress Parkway, October 17 - 28, 2012.

PAOLA HARTLEY and ASTRIT ZEJNATI, principal dancers of Ballet Arizona, will appear as guest artists in the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet's production of The Nutcracker which will be performed on December 1 (Evening), and December 2 (Matinee), 2012 at the Riverview Theatre in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Young dancers in central Indiana can study with ballet greats by taking part in the Indianapolis City Ballet's Master Class Series. The 2012-2013 series, ICB's fourth season, is sponsored by philanthropists Jock and Penny Fortune and takes its first leap Sept. 9, 2012.

The tenth anniversary season of Glorya Kaufman presents Dance at The Music Center continues with the U.S. debut of The National Ballet of Canada's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, music by Joby Talbot, at The Music Center's Dorothy Chandler Pavilion with live orchestra for five performances only October 19-21, 2012. Karen Kain is the Artistic Director of The National Ballet of Canada.

Jonah Bokaer, who has been making artistic waves on the international dance circuit since he began choreographing almost ten years ago, will be seen both close-up and afar in these coming months: outdoors at the Avignon Festival in France (tonight, July 20-July 22, 24-26) and indoors at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, MA (August 1-5) when he and Bolshoi Ballet star David Hallberg perform together in the world premiere of Bokaer's "CURTAIN."

Ballet West has been awarded a Fellowship Initiative grant from the New York Choreographic Institute, an affiliate of New York City Ballet, to support the development of new choreography in a studio setting. The choreographer will be Christopher Ruud.

Jonah Bokaer, who has been making artistic waves on the international dance circuit since he began choreographing almost ten years ago, will be seen both close-up and afar in these coming months: outdoors at the Avignon Festival in France (July 20-22, 24-26) and indoors at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, MA (August 1-5) when he and Bolshoi Ballet star David Hallberg perform together in the world premiere of Bokaer's "CURTAIN."

Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) presents "Ballerina Assoluta: A Tribute to Natalia Makarova" tonight, April 28 at 7:00 PM at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. This evening of dance will illustrate Natalia Makarova's contribution to the art of ballet by presenting some of her most iconic roles performed by today's leading dancers. Performers include Marcelo Gomes (American Ballet Theatre), Natalia Osipova (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg), Sergei Polunin (formally of The Royal Ballet), Tamara Rojo (The Royal Ballet), Yuan Yuan Tan (San Francisco Ballet), Ivan Vasiliev (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg) and Diana Vishneva (American Ballet Theatre/Mariinsky Ballet). Ms. Makarova will narrate the program, reflecting on her experiences as a dancer. In addition, rare photos and archival footage will be shared. Tickets for the performance are $20, $37, $45, $75, $100, $150.

Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP) presents "Ballerina Assoluta: A Tribute to Natalia Makarova" on Saturday, April 28 at 7:00 PM at David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center. This evening of dance will illustrate Natalia Makarova's contribution to the art of ballet by presenting some of her most iconic roles performed by today's leading dancers. Performers include Marcelo Gomes (American Ballet Theatre), Natalia Osipova (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg), Sergei Polunin (formally of The Royal Ballet), Tamara Rojo (The Royal Ballet), Yuan Yuan Tan (San Francisco Ballet), Ivan Vasiliev (American Ballet Theatre/Mikhailovsky Theatre St. Petersburg) and Diana Vishneva (American Ballet Theatre/Mariinsky Ballet). Ms. Makarova will narrate the program, reflecting on her experiences as a dancer. In addition, rare photos and archival footage will be shared. Tickets for the performance are $20, $37, $45, $75, $100, $150.