Dance, dance, dance
Last night I went with a friend to see AIN’T TOO PROUD: The Life and Times of The Temptations at the Kennedy Center. To say this was a thrill is an understatement. Talk about an incredible soundtrack! Here’s a clip from the show’s website with Whoopi Goldberg introducing the cast.
Yes, pandemic, we really have missed live music and dancing.
I’ve been thinking about dancing a lot lately. One of you wonderful readers (thank you, John!) pointed me to Choura, a fascinating memoir by the great Russian/American ballerina Alexandra Danilova (1902-1997). Danilova met George Balanchine when they were students in Russia and he was still called Georgiy Melitonovich Balanchivadze. They grew up together and emigrated together to the west. They were dance partners, lovers, and lifelong friends. Danilova’s recounting of their relationship was one of many interesting themes in this book.
I had the great pleasure of interviewing Gavin Larsen about her memoir, Being a Ballerina for Bloom Magazine. Gavin is a thoughtful and beautiful writer. She gives us something both special and unusual, an insider’s look at the life of a working ballerina.
Which brings me to a question. I’m thinking of creating an interview series with working ballet dancers and choreographers, and wondered what you’d want to know. How do dancers cope with injury? How do they learn to partner? What’s the process of working with a choreographer? These are some questions I’ve thought of, but I’m sure you’ll have a lot more.
I can’t thank you enough. Have a great weekend.
Love, Martha
P.S. Here are some clips of some amazing working ballet dancers:
Calvin Royal, American Ballet Theater; Joseph Sissens, Royal Ballet, Stella Abrera and Gillian Murphy, American Ballet Theater