Wendy Whelan News

The winners of the 4th Annual Clive Barnes Award were announced Monday, January 6 at The Walter Reade Theatre, Lincoln Centre. This year's Theatre Award, presented by Susan Stroman was given to Jonny Orsini for his performance in The Nance. This year's Dance Award, presented by Wendy Whelan, was given to Lloyd Mayor of Martha Graham Dance Company.

UMS Adventure Card is a game designed to reward your inquisitive instincts with the chance to win a special backstage meet-and-greet with a UMS artist. This season, Adventure Card activities will explore the genre of dance performance.

Following the record-breaking attendance of Festival 2013, Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival announces the 2014 Festival schedule. Jacob's Pillow is a National Historic Landmark, home to America's longest-running dance festival, and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts. Noted dance writer Jennifer Dunning has called the Pillow "the dance center of the nation, possibly the world."

In the midst of its milestone 10th season, the Harris Theater for Music and Dance heads into the new year with can't-miss performances as part of the Harris Theater Presents series, including a special addition to the 2013-2014 season: the Chicago debut of On Grace, a work-in-progress performance on Tuesday, January 21, 2014, from Drama Desk Award-winner Anna Deavere Smith and cellist Joshua Roman.

Susan Stroman and Wendy Whelan are set to host the 2014 Clive Barnes Awards, which will be held on January 6 (3pm), at the Walter Reade Theatre. This years' nominees for theatre are Aaron Clifton Moten for his performance in The Flick, Jonny Orsini for his performance in The Nance, Phillipa Soo for her performance in Natasha, Pierre, and the Great Comet of 1812, and Amber Iman for her performance in Soul Doctor. This year's nominees for dance are Talli Jackson (Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Dance Company), Lloyd Mayor (Martha Graham Dance Company), Xiaochuan Xie (Martha Graham Dance Company), and Calvin Royal III(American Ballet THeatre.)

Today we are highlighting one of the most celebrated and cherished ballets ever composed, now, more than 120 years after its premiere - the new Fathom Events national movie theater presentation of Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER performed by the Royal Opera House Ballet.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, presents New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013 from tonight, December 11-15, 2013featuring Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by 4th-Year Dancers, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division.

Since its founding in 1961, La MaMa Experimental Arts Club has been a hub for risk-taking theater artists from around the globe. La MaMa will celebrate their 2013 season of performances with a gala honoring two pillars of arts journalism: former Village Voice critic Michael Feingold, and publisher Patsy Tarr of 2wice. Throughout their long careers, these two individuals have carved out a voice for the arts, championing countless artists working across platforms.

Juilliard Dance, under the direction of Lawrence Rhodes, presents New Dances PLUS: Edition 2013 from December 11-15, 2013featuring Juilliard alumna Pina Bausch's Wind von West (Wind from the West) performed by 4th-Year Dancers, plus three world premiere commissions created for each of the classes of Juilliard's Dance Division. This year's innovative choreographers are Juilliard alumnus Takehiro Ueyama (1st-Year Dancers); Brian Brooks (2nd-Year Dancers); and Juilliard alumnus Darrell Grand Moultrie (3rd-Year Dancers).

Since its founding in 1961, La MaMa Experimental Arts Club has been a hub for risk-taking theater artists from around the globe. La MaMa will celebrate their 2013 season of performances with a gala honoring two pillars of arts journalism: former Village Voice critic Michael Feingold, and publisher Patsy Tarr of 2wice. Throughout their long careers, these two individuals have carved out a voice for the arts, championing countless artists working across platforms.

The Clive Barnes Foundation has announced the nominees for the 2012 Clive Barnes Awards, a distinguished annual honor recognizing the work of young actors and dancers in New York City.

The Joyce Theater (Linda Shelton, Executive Director), the nation's largest theater devoted to modern dance, announced today programming for its 2014 Spring / Summer Season featuring extraordinary companies, including Joyce debuts and highly anticipated engagements such as a festival of all Brazilian dance, and Wendy Whelan's NYC premiere of Restless Creature.

Kyle Froman has made the extraordinary transformation from dancer for America's premier dance company to one of the country's best -known dance and theater photographers.

The Pittsburgh Dance Council, a division of Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, announces an outstanding array of dance from around the world that will grace its stages this season. Paul Organisak, Executive Director, comments 'Pittsburgh Dance Council is pleased to continue to present some of the finest companies whose diversity of artistic expression and culture are certain to captivate, challenge and entertain you during the 2013-2014 Season. With a focus on delivering new and fresh experiences and international flair, the Dance Council brings a snapshot of contemporary dance and performance.'

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced tickets will go on sale today, August 23, for an outstanding season of performances including Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Cabaret Series, and Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents presentations.

Jacob's Pillow presents the athletic and daring Kyle Abraham/Abraham.In.Motion (A/I/M) in the Doris Duke Theatre, August 21-25. Led by 2012 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award recipient Kyle Abraham, A/I/M will perform Pavement (2012), a gripping contemporary work layered with urban and classical dance influences that shows "great subtlety and beauty" (Andrew Boynton, The New Yorker).

The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced tickets will go on sale, August 23, for an outstanding season of performances including Pittsburgh Dance Council, Trust Cabaret Series, and Cohen & Grigsby Trust Presents presentations.

Wendy Whelan, whom The New York Times has called 'America's greatest contemporary ballerina,' has danced with New York City Ballet for 29 years. With the company, she has mastered Balanchine's neo-classical repertory, dance classics such as Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake and created works with many of today's leading choreographers. Having reached the height of her field, Whelan, now 46, is embarking on a groundbreaking journey at an age when most ballerinas simply retire from the stage. She has launched Wendy Whelan New Works Initiative, which begins with Restless Creature, a suite of four duets, each with its own distinct style and artistry, created by and danced with Kyle Abraham, Joshua Beamish, Brian Brooks and Alejandro Cerrudo. The work will tour to nine cities this spring including New York, London and Boston from March 18-July 26.

Manhattan Youth Ballet offers a comprehensive three-week Summer Intensive to prepare dancers to return to their year-round programs, beginning today.