LATEST Class Updates
KAT'S CLASS UPDATES: @The Alvin Ailey School, the Largest dance facility in the country!! "Majestic" studios in the "Glass Palace" specifically designed for dancers , sprung floors, state-of-the-art acoustics and climate controlled.
*** EXPERIENCE THE EDUCATION ***
join us now!
Now that the summer workshops are completed, we are back dancing ballet to our regular schedule.
MONDAY, WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY:
- 10:30 AM: Beginner's Class
- 12 noon: Pointe
- 6pm: Intermediate level
- 7:30 Beginner's class
SATURDAY
- 4:30- 6pm: Open all levels
- 6:15 - 7:15pm: Pointe
SUNDAYAll classes are held on a drop-in basis. Class includes the ballet barre, center work, stretching and across the floor ballet combinations, intermixed with performance tips and personal adjustments and corrections. Whether seeking a career, or dancing for fun and fitness, Ballet class is a great way to tone up, increase circulation and stay in shape. Kat uses a specific unique syllabus derived from a combination of the American, Italian, and Russian syllabi's and offers several quality levels of instruction in classical ballet.
Please stay alert for the upcoming Fall 2007/Winter 2008 Weekend Workshops and next summer's INTENSIVE, currently in negotiations along with possible extra weekend workshops scattered here & there.
***SCHEDULE UPDATES AT The Alvin Ailey School***
Visit this page to download a printable Ailey Extension Schedule!
1. Saturday classes will resume August 25 @ 4:30 followed by pointe class 6:15. Vladamir will Vacation August 25- September 1, our guest accompanist will be the most wonderful John Gavalchin. Sundays will now be open only for private lessons until our next workshop!
2. No class Labor Day, September 3rd, Monday- Ailey School Closed!
3. Kat will also take three days off from teaching September 5-7 & 8th
(Wed/Fri/Sat.) a necessary vacation from ballet work with her patient
and devoted husband Arthur. Guest teacher/ artist/ professional dancer/artist ROYCE ZACHERY, (currently choreographing a new piece for Staten Island Ballet) will again be guest teaching technique classes along with Laura Di Orio for our pointe classes. (see more about Laura below in TMI)
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Have you met Monique, Assistant to the Director of The Ailey Extension, and Assistant to the Director of Rentals. She always has the sweetest smile and helps make certain, things run smoothly (also gets the paycheck out on time.) in the Extension program.Class Gossip, TMI & Honorable Mentions
Our Taylor Gordon, is now a contributor to The Winger, an online blog
and community for the dance world. She is mentioned in the same line as some of the best of ballet: other bloggers include dancers in NYCB, Christopher Wheeldon (NYCB resident choreographer), David Hallberg (ABT principal), and Gia Kourlas (dance editor, Time Out New York). more of Taylor here...Khalyle aka "Cleo" is heading to Japan, hopefully he'll get classes @ Akemi's ballet studio there...Great job Jane, we look forward to seeing you back in classes soon. Have a look at the review of "Jersey Voices"...Phineas III where are you??? working on The Alchemist. Check out the site..great music--we miss you in 7:30 class!!...Did you miss Mary's Cabaret show last month?? check out her latest head shots here...Amber Paul just completed shooting a new feature film. She plays the role of Nicole in "The Cuckold," directed by Jonathan Butler. Maybe now, we'll see her back in class!...Ask Victoria about getting the all natural Naturopathia Plant milks. Kat loves the Lavender Honey Balancing Mist. "It calms me when I see your arm blubber jigglin!!!!" It might calm you also if you suddenly become the victim of the moment!!...Noah in Maryland working on the Producers tour again, enjoy we'll see you in a couple o' months!...David Hart is catering Vicky's Baby shower at the end of this month.She's having a girl in September...wooo hoo another ballerina on board- her name is Veronica Jade Yellin!!!! David sure knows how to make any occasion very special! Thanks David you rock & so does your food....Rockettes flew Jackie in for the photo shoot of the new coffee table book coming out this 75th year! That's why we saw her in class monday!...Ann was spotted taking one weekend workshop class this summer with one of her students who was auditioning for Radio City--How did that go ladies??...Sean, an aspiring pop singer best known for his smooth dance moves, talks about Lou Pearlman. Van der Wilt and other artists find themselves legally tied to companies that no longer function....Georgia to star in Drowsy tour...David L. back in town hosting a new show...Giovanni is spending the summer in Brazil with his family...Welcome back "B" we sure did miss ya!...Katja heads back to Germany on August 26, what a great summer of improvement....great work! She has Vladamir's CD in hand and is taking one last private lesson of torture before her plane home. Please come back and join us soon. We will miss your enthusiasm...Robert F. (7:30) has opened his studio in Philly, PA. Check out the 'Footsteps on the Floor' program, that will enable all of the friends of Top Hat Dance Studio to have their footsteps left on the dance floors at Top Hat for a lifetime....Bretigne, lil Griffin and hubby Guy are moving out to San Francisco the first week of September(wear a flower in your hair). Gosh we'll miss your family so much, please send pictures as Griffin grows!! ....Deb is off to Costa Rica from 8/21 to 8/29 for short vacation....who will I yell @ in pointe class while she's away?? (Yaz?)...Nate welcome back to class nice new cd "rEvolution."!! listen here hiphop/jazz fusion...Laura D has another article in Pointe Magazine this issue August/September on page 58 about the New Zealand School of Dance also Dance Spirit July/August issue, and Dance International current issue Summer 2007 about Alessandra Ferri who dances Juliet in Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Romeo and Juliet for one last time. Congrats Laura great articles!...Pictures of Kat found on the internet, former local guest appearances years ago, first two picture of her with partner Robert Weber in a contemporary pas de deux
choreographed by him....Todd latest: alien review in La Times...Dancers you need to support DRA,"What we do together makes a difference"-- make a contribution. None of the funds raised by DRA goes to medical research. All funds are allotted to individuals in need and the organizations that serve them. Please, if you need help call 212 840-0770, they are there for you, to answer, advise and guide you. Tell um Kat sent ya!!!! Also Save the Date: BC/EFA's Annual Flea Market is September 23 at The Broadway Flea Market, held each September in Shubert Alley, brings out the biggest and brightest stars from Broadway, Off-Broadway, Dance and daytime television to greet fans and sell memorabilia....Alice starts Columbia University next month with thousands of the brightest, most interesting and most motivated young people from across the country and around the world living and learning together in one community. All first-year students are expected to live on-campus....Anyone have an interest in swapping a Manhattan Apartment with two friends who live in Paris, well situatied for 8-10 days around September 25. Contact Edie 646-710-0733 or Edith...Do the Hustle with Eric...Travis is making cookies, tutu bad he doesn't bring the teacher any.
Is CAPOEIRA a dance form or a martial art? Both. Capoeira is a martial art that blends dance, music, singing and acrobatics. While some people argue that it originated in Africa, others claim that capoeira developed three to four hundred years ago in Brazil. Slaves were not allowed to practice any form of combat or defense, so they eliminated direct contact between opponents and made their movements look more like dancing. As a result, modern capoeiristas jump, flip, turn and lunge to try to catch their partners off guard. Music is essential to capoeira, the mastering of several percussion instruments must be undertaken in order to truly define oneself as a capoeirista. Continue to learn about different dance forms to enhance your artistic development. Some Capoeira moves Check out Tiba's Capoeira classes @ The Alvin Ailey School.
MI-5 MOST IMPROVED FIVE STUDENTS EACH MONTH WILL GET KUDO'S AND MENTIONS HERE!
KEEP WATCHIN FOR YOUR NAME!!
1. Ceasar
2. joe
3. Katja
4. Kelly
5. Keiko
Most improved- Congrats keep up the good work!!
TONY the CIRCULAR POWER Master Teacher/Trainer: Fluid Workout Of Gyro Helps To Ease Back Pain. Tony is my personal trainer now for several years and several hours per week and has kindly offered his back studio to accomodate private ballet lesson on Sundays (see below)- Thank you Tony!
ANDROS on Ballet: "If you can say it, you can do it"- Mr. Andros teaches intermediate level ballet Monday thru Friday at 11:30 AM at Ballet Academy East.
This month in dance history: August 1947: The first Edinburgh Dance Festival was held in Scotland....August 16, 1945: Suzanne Farrell was born....August 19, 1929: Sergei Diaghilev.
Facts about Ballet leotards: History tells us that the ballet leotard was made famous by the French acrobatic performer named "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze" was written and composed. Jules Leotard called it maillot, which is swimsuit in French. It was first named 'leotard' in 1886, many years after his death. Today it is worn by gymnasts, acrobats and dancers for practices and performances.
Suggested Reading: Mr. Patrelle reports that fellow dancer Justin Allen, who has just come out with his first novel. It is called SLAVES OF THE SHINAR, and it's a ripping adventure fantasy set in ancient Sumeria http://history-world.org/sumeria.htm (present day Iraq). the story of a land consumed by war, of a people trying to survive, and of two men in the middle of it all, redefining themselves and their futures.
VIDEOs OF THE WEEK:
Ballet school Russia Pilot film. Documentary film. Ballet teenagers girls.
Kirov Ballet Company Class. Adagio Barre and Center!
RECENTLY STUMBLED UPON BALLET VIDEOS
Anna Pavlova part 13 of 16 here...Sylvie Guillem and Eric Vu An here
RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: A Francois & Jackie find
Gaucho Steak Co. Quick Grill
752 10th Avenue @ 51th St
212.957.1727
Web Site If you are looking for meat whooooah....big ol' servings here of The Gaucho Steak and pork. (don't do chicken here) Oh my!! yummy Calamari with a sweet bite, lovely green salad, I asked for beets on top! Clean fresh mashed Sweet potatoes, and delicious Sangria. Kat's Weekly Mailbag
Dear Kat,
I am the one who suddenly dropped in in your last class of 10-week workshop at Ailey this afternoon (Sunday, August 5th). Thank you so much for accepting me. I am far behind from everyone else there, but, your smile and encouragement made me feel still welcomed, and I enjoyed your class, even though I was way off the movements...I'm still not sure when I can be brave enough to take your advance beginner's class at this point, but, I hope to see you soon one of those days....And, thanks again.
E.
****
Kat, ... I don't think I've ever told you this, but your ballet class is the only class I have ever taken that makes me feel like anything is possible. Thank you for that.Sincerely,K
****
Dear Kat,
I just wanted to thank you so much for the workshop this summer. A friend of mine who is a jazz dance instructor in Japan just called me to tell me that she saw me in a jazz class the other day and noticed a lot of improvements that must be from taking a lot of ballet classes (Of course!)
The workshop was truly a great experience for me. The spacious studio allowed me feel how dancing should really feel (not to mention not having to worry about bumping into my neighbor) and the extended time allowed a lot of the movements to sink into my body. For the first time I learned all the positions of arabesque (I tried to learn from ballet books a couple of times, but was never able to understand it) and many of the movements I was quite clear about. As you mentioned in class, the class required quite stamina! (I am sorry if I had looked not doing full out sometimes. It was the back pain I had for the last two weeks...but I should be good before you are back.) I also felt lucky being able to take the pointe classes which I am not able to take during the week. Most of all, your dedication and passion towards the class really motivated me.....Love, N
****
Thanks, Kat.....I'm really enjoying/appreciating your..."newsletter" '=' and I Am telling people about it... So...word is
spreading...Please.....Take a Bow....YOU Deserve IT!!!!!!!!!! J.
******
From Kat---
This summer I learned to do fancy rope jumping at Summer Ballet camp with the patient help and assistance of the dancers attending and my personal coach Kyle, rope & music suppied by Eugene Petrov On some of the hottest days of the year. Instead of lounging in the air conditioning, frolicking in the pool or licking at an ice cream cone, 15 girls and 3 princes ages 9-21, were working hard to improve their ballet technnique at Summer Ballet Intensive camp upstate with me. In addition to technique, the young dancers attended Pilates and character/Folk dance classes, learned about make-up application for the stage and worked on jumpin skills, all under the direction of Donna Decker.
( forgot my SB packet..arrrrrg and garden cucumbers!).
They learned choreography for the upcoming showing, Puss & Boots,Red Riding hood and her Wolf (Gracie won the camp badge for out- running the wolf...lol), Blue bird and also Aurora's difficult pointe work. They were coached on individual nuances of performance presentation.
Each season these dancers get to work with prominent guest artists and teachers right in their small community. I was very pleased with the quality of dancers in camp this year and always honored to be included.
-Thanks tutu all for a lovely summer experience, keep on jumpin!- K.
p.s. Also wanna thank the lovely dancers @ Art of Dance, in Chester, N.J.. Arthur and I had a wonderful time with you, and hope you liked the dvd I sent, filled with pictures of our two days together. Thanks for inviting me to your colorful studios!! Fun Stuff: Take a Break And Enjoy
Factoid: New York City: New York City has 722 miles of subway track....Engineering students at Purdue University created a licking machine that averaged 364 licks to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop. woooooah!!...Hey did you know??? Michelle does make-up here...Reach for the highest heights: Mars The Red Planet is about to be spectacular! This month and next, Earth is catching up with Mars in an encounter that will culminate in the closest approach between the two planets in recorded history. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287. The encounter will culminate on August 27th when Mars comes to within 34,649,589 miles of Earth and will be (next to the moon) the brightest object in the night sky. By the end of August when the two planets are closest, Mars will rise at nightfall and reach its highest point in the sky at 12:30a.m. NO ONE ALIVE TODAY WILL EVER SEE THIS AGAIN...Fact: People can learn about seven pieces of information, like words or numbers, at a time. Researchers say dancers can often learn longer chunks than non dancers. Soldierwall to say thank you and to remember. Post anyone that has served in the U.S. Military past or present....Beethoven was so particular about his coffee that he counted out exactly 60 beans for each cup...Need to quit smoking?? Don't Quit alone try QuitNet. Start your FREE quit smoking program. Kat's Stats: Quit Date was: 12/31/2004 11:00:00 PM. Time Smoke-Free: 959 days (this weekend-oh yeah!!)....A penny dropped from a skyscrapper will not kill anyone? The myth that someone could be killed by a penny thrown off a tall building does not take into account air resistance. Pennies are light and not shaped aerodynamically, so they don't reach a very high speed when falling. -Dr L.Bloomfield, physics professor U of Va....Lift your blubber: here. Ballet Etiquette
BALLET ETIQUETTE: The traditions of classical dance etiquette and standards of deportment are an intrinsic element of dance discipline and in each issue we will explore together helpful etiquette tips. This week special thanks goes to our very special coorespondent a.k.a: Madame Politesse (a fellow student & classmate will report on: Etiquette Points for Ballet Class MIND YOUR PIQUÉS & TUTUS.
1. PERSONAL SPACE
When we're focused on combating flab and activating abs, not to mention remembering the combination, sometimes we forget about the people next to us.
- Don't pick a spot at the barre with too little space between you and your neighbors. You should be able to do a forward bend, grand battement, and arabesque without hurting anyone (except yourself!).
- If the class is very crowded and there's minimal inter-student space, at least do high-kicking steps (e.g., degagés, battements, attitude swings) while standing at a 45-degree angle to the barre. Collision avoidance is particularly important if you're new to a class and/or aren't "getting" the exercise: You could find yourself doing degagé front while your neighbor is – wham! – just arriving at degagé back.
- In the center, where space is less clearly divided and combinations often move and change directions a lot, try not to charge into somebody else's territory.
2. COMINGS AND GOINGS: Some reminders about timing.
- Try really, really hard to be punctual. It's bad for your body not to warm up, and it's distracting for the rest of the class to have people coming in late.
- If the subway is uncooperative and you're late anyway, come in quietly – wait for the end of the combination and find an open spot at the barre, asking first if it's okay with the people already standing there. (And for heaven's sake do some pliés before you start the rest of the barre.)
- If you have to leave early – because you're more comfortable taking just the barre, or you're injured and can't jump, or you have a dentist appointment – tell the teacher before class or find a moment to acknowledge him or her before you scoot out. Again, this is crucial when you're a newbie. Teachers are human, too – they just pretend sometimes to be space aliens – and they need to know if you loved their class or will never darken their barre again.
3. MANNERLY BEHAVIOR
If Aretha were with us in class, she'd give Vladimir a run for his money. No, really; she'd have R-E-S-P-E-C-T — for the teacher and her fellow students.
- Don't chat while the teacher is speaking. We all love the social life that goes along with ballet class, but…
- When the class divides into two or more groups because it's too crowded to do a combo all together, do not assume that you are that Special Person who is allowed to dance with both groups. It's fine to mark the combination from the sidelines while the other group is dancing, but not to do a double feature and take up needed space.
- If you choose to stand in front – all together, now! -- move forward toward the mirror so that people in back of you have room.
4. PERSONAL APPEARANCE
Whenever people are working at close quarters, it's important to be discreet and even, uh, modest.
- Putting on perfume before class isn't a great idea. The blend of fragrance and eau de sweat is not terribly pleasant.
- One of the great things about adult ballet is that it's informal – no obligatory pink tights or black leotards! On the other hand, class is not the beach. Call me a curmudgeon, but it's a little disconcerting to be dancing next to a humongous stretch of bare flesh.
- Avoid noisy jewelry and hair doo-dads that might fly off and hit someone.
- And by the way, those signs in the bathroom about not using the stalls as changing rooms? That means you. It's inconsiderate to be in there primping when somebody else has a more physical need.
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Casting Call: Hot Auditions and Gigs Here
Journey Dance Company is looking for male and female dancers for their 2007-08 season! On Sunday, August 25th in Santa Rosa, CA, dancers between the ages of 8 and 21 are invited to come out and audition for either the junior or senior companies. Dancers who have at least 2 years of ballet training and an interest in modern, lyrical, jazz, musical theater, tap or hip-hop are encouraged to audition. Rehearsals will be once a week and traveling on designated weekends for performances is required. Dancers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. For more: journeydancecompany.com/thecompany
Calling all Claras! Have you always dreamed about being Clara in The Nutcracker? Well, here is your chance. "Search For Clara" auditions will take place in Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Chicago and Des Moines this September. If you are chosen, you will perform in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and receive a weekly salary for rehearsals and performances. Dancers who audition must be female, between the ages of 10 and 14, have pointe experience and be shorter than 4'11". Dancers must live within 1 hour of the performance location. For more info and exact dates of auditions for each city go to thegarden.com/rockette_auditions.html.
Dreaming of dancing abroad? Come to Compania de Dansa Metros' NYC audition. The leading contemporary dance company in Barcelona needs dancers for short and long-term contracts. Auditions are on August 22, 9:30 a.m.- 12:30 p.m. for women and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for men. Send resume, photo and contact info to ramonauditionwom@cs.com (women) or ramonauditionmen@cs.com (men) to receive a time slot and the location of the audition.
Starting in September, New York City public schools will be held accountable for students' progress in the arts. "We demand results in math and English, and now we are demanding the same in the arts as well," says New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein. There are still roughly 150 NYC schools with no art teachers of any kind, and according to the Center for Arts Education, there is just one drama teacher and one dance teacher for every 6,000 students. The good news is that $250 million in this year's school budget will go toward arts education, including the hiring of 141 new teachers. Info: Here.
Toledo Ballet announces open auditions on Sept. 8, for its 67th annual production of The Nutcracker.
Gen Horiuchi, artistic director of the St. Louis Ballet and former New York City Ballet principal, will return as choreographer of the ballet's winter production. Dancers can audition at the following times: Ages 16 and up: 4– 5:30 p.m. Ballet dancers, ages 16 and up, who are not currently studying at the school, can audition for placement in the Toledo Ballet Company during the final audition time.Auditions will be at The Toledo Ballet's new studios on the second level of Westfield Franklin Park, 5001 Monroe St., opposite the Franklin Park Cinemas. Dancers are required to dress in appropriate dance attire. There is a $10 audition fee.For more information, call (419) 471-0049 or visit www.toledoballet.net.
Employment opportunities @ Ailey: here.
PlayBill jobs listings, check daily: here.
Check dance auditions: here.Performance Corner
Congrats to Ashley Carter for her choreography on a bunch of talented dancers. She is collaborating with a theatre guy who is sharing the space with her to put in his own work, on August 18.
Lincoln Center out of doors August 2-27,2007: For more info visit for daily program listings and updates call 212.LINCOLN sample listings include One Nation Under is a combustible new play that asks us to re-examine our relationships and personal politics in these uncertain times.
At Hand Theater Company is the creation of Martin Strenczewilk(7:30 class & PDD), Daniel Horrigan, Meghan Strenczewilk, Nathan Elsener and Tye Blue. New on the off – off scene, At Hand plans to produce new plays that are relevant to a multicultural New York City audience. While One Nation Under is their "premiere production", At Hand recently produced POP! an evening of original one acts. The sold out limited engagement played at The 440 Studios and featured the work of various writers. For more information on One Nation Under: www.myspace.com/onenationundertheplay. Currently running! Wednesday ,Thursday, Friday, Saturday 8:00pm, Sunday 3:00pm. Closes on August 26, 2007.
Save the dates:
Richard Chang"Goy Vey! Adventures of a Dim Sun in Search of his Wanton Father," on Tuesday, Aug. 28, at 8:30 pm. It's the send-off for the Leeds Jewish International Performing Arts Festival, Sept 2-6. Venue: Bowery Poetry Club, 308 Bowery (between Bleecker & Houston) this is why he's been missing classes and Friday night Pas De Deux!!Let's check this out!
On TV: Thirteen/WNET New York presents "Nureyev: The Russian Years," on Great Performances August 29 at 9 pm EDT (check local listings), a rare look at the artist during the formative years before he burst onto the international ballet scene. This BBC production in association with Thirteen/WNET includes never-before-seen footage and recent interviews with friends and colleagues of the star who died in 1993. Photographer Jack
Mitchell on Rudolph Nureyev...Nureyev at the barre...Nureyev Pierrot Lunaire by G.Tetley...the dancer...Rudolf Nureyev Russian rock...French interview.
Also on TV: A wombat named Willy tries to become a regular performer on the Taz-Mania series by befriending Taz. Molly challenges Taz to take ballet lessons and dance in her class recital of Swan Lake. Taz-Mania...and I Love Lucy hung up in ballet class 1952 see Balance Trouble. Synthesis Dance Project, Wednesday, September 5, 2007. American Dance Guild's 2007 Performance Festival Hudson Guild Theatre, 441 W 26th Street, NYC...Morphoses/The Wheeldon Company will play for six performances, October 17 – 21, at New York City Center, www.nycitycenter.org.
American Ballet Theatre Celebrating 10 years at New York City Center. American Ballet Theatre takes dance to new heights this fall with an astonishing range of repertoire. From Twyla Tharp's dashing pas de deux Sinatra Suite to the virtuosic bravura of George Balanchine's Ballo della Regina, to the powerful true story of Lizzie Borden in Agnes de Mille's Fall River Legend,and Lar Lubovitch's perfect vision of romance in Meadow, each performance promises an extraordinary experience.
FALL FOR DANCE FESTIVAL: Sep. 26 - Oct. 6, 2007. ALL TICKETS $10, 10 Performances - 28 Companies - 1 Stage; Feel the rush of the world-famous alongside the cutting-edge, of toe shoes following tap shoes, of sold-out houses cheering. See the very best the dance world has to offer - from NYC, across the country and around the world - right here at home. Fall in love again...Fall for Dance! Tickets will go on sale Sunday September 9th at 11:00 am. At New York City Center, www.nycitycenter.org.
Alvin Ailey American Dance @New York City Center Season November 28 - December 31, 2007 ***WHERE IS THE COMPANY NOW?? World News: Dance Across the Globe
Frederic Franklin will be honored this weekend at the Dance Teacher's Summer Conference in New York City with the 2007 Dance Teacher Lifetime Achievement Award. Find out more about this dance legend, who at 93 is still a vital part of the ballet world....Fat chance for ballet dancers to be light on their feet, Eric Novoa reports Danza Voluminosa is a professional dance group in Cuba where most members weigh over 200 pounds. The founder, Juan Miguel Mas, who weighs more than 300 pounds, created the group to make a political as well as an artistic statement....China's Princess of Ballet: Hou Honglan...Bolshoi Ballet, Coliseum, London...Treat for ballet fans...Ballet Brings Hope to Iraqi Performers...Harry Potter's Watson set to star in the BBC's 'Ballet Shoes'...The beauty of ballet. Olivia Dow School of Ballet annual show went on despite the death of the school's founder. Ballet Hawaii presents a truly wicked "Cinderella"...Battle of the Nutcrackers...4th Shanghai Int'l Ballet Competition kicks off...Ballet star of future steps out in Russia....United Airlines teams with Joffrey Ballet...Rolling Stones - the ballet...Texas Ballet Theater adds nine dancers...'Slow Dancing' by David Michalek A Lens That Captures Dance's Every Facet: Michalek plans to showcase "Slow Dancing" at the Music Center in Los Angeles, followed by an installation on monitors at Fall for Dance at NYC's City Center and then possibly in France and China. For more, see the dancers here...Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival ballet to benefit Angora fire victims, Aug. 22-23. Ballet news stories are collected from many sources around the world. If you have anything you'd like to
contribute please send it to our newsdesk. For Men Only
Introducing>>>> FOR MEN ONLY, our newest newsletter section: Ballerina of the Month: Maya Plisetskaya
Maya Plisetskaya is considered to be the twentieth century's greatest dancer, has achieved the most prestigious position that an artist in this speciality can ever achieve: "Absolute Prima Ballerina"
Born in Moscow, she studied at the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet School. Became a principal dancer with the Bolshoi Ballet as soon as she joined it in 1943 and prima ballerina in 1962.
Weekly Tips: Pointe, Health Tips and Shopping
POINTE TIP:
- Remember to keep your pointe shoes dry. Don't put pointe shoes back in your bag after a sweaty class. The sweat/moisture breaks down the glue that makes your shoes hard. Keep them outside of you damp bag and they will last longer. Do your tendu exersizes and echappes daily..they help create beautiful feet!
- Extended pointe class time, has been arranged begining in September thanks for your patience.
- Dancing on pointe, Written by: © Vanessa van Rensburg.
- The old pointe shoe.
- Save money, go ahead and buy that POINTE class card, it saves you money on all the pointe classes.
HEALTH TIPS
- Berry Good Stuff: Kina Poon @ Dance Spirit Magazine reporting: Did you know that just half of a cup of blueberries has the same amount of antioxidants as five servings of veggies like peas or broccoli? Antioxidants help your body fight and prevent damage from toxins and free radicals. Beta-carotene, vitamins C and E and selenium are all antioxidants, and are found in whole grains, fruits and veggies. Summer is the perfect time for berries, when many of the tastiest kinds are in season. These fruits get their sweetness from simple sugars, which are exactly what dancers need for energy without the complex carbs. Berries are also super high in antioxidants that combat free radicals, those nasty particles that cause skin damage and cancer. An easy way to up your berry intake is by adding them to your everyday foods. Try adding blueberries to waffles (they're so good warm) or dried cranberries to cereal for a healthy snack you can toss in your dance bag. Or create a summer favorite by making smoothies, which will not only help you to easily reach your recommended five-a-day dosage, but are really fun (and easy) to make. Plus, studies have shown that frozen fruit is just as nutritious as its fresh friends, so you can stock up that freezer with these delicious treats! Blend one cup of juice (apple is delicious, but try pomegranate for a surprisingly sweet kick), one cup of frozen strawberries, one banana, one cup of vanilla frozen yogurt and one cup of ice for a refreshing and healthy summer treat!
- Healthy Juices, Reported by Robert Coopchik (Arthur's dad in Florida)
1. Carrot + Ginger + Apple - Boost and cleanse our system.
2. Apple + Cucumber + Celery - Prevent cancer, reduce cholesterol, and improve stomach upset and headache.
3. Tomato + Carrot + Apple - Improve skin complexion and bad breath.
4. Bitter gourd + Apple + Milk - Avoid bad breath and reduce internal body heat.
5. Orange + Ginger + Cucumber - Improve Skin texture and moisture and reduce body heat.
6. Pineapple + Apple + Watermelon - To dispel excess salts, nourishes the bladder and kidney.
7. Apple + Cucumber + Kiwi - To improve skin complexion.
8. Pear & Banana - regulates sugar content.
9. Carrot + Apple + Pear + Mango - Clear body heat, counteracts toxicity, decreased blood pressure and fight oxidization.
10. Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C + Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and strengthen body immunity.
11. Papaya + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin C, E, Iron. Improve skin complexion and metabolism.
12. Banana + Pineapple + Milk - Rich in vitamin with nutritious and prevent constipation.
- The fundamental requirement for weight loss- expending more calories than are taken in- is the same for men and women. To be objective about your own body- whichever your sex-you should know your body mass index (BMI), a well accepted standard for determining a healthy weight.A BMI of 20 to 25 is optimal. You can compute your BMI by dividing your weight multiplied by 703 by your height in inches, squared. Easier: Check this out.
- Interesting Body Fact: The average person's skin weighs twice as much as their brain.
STRETCH OF THE MONTH:
Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana (Revolved Head-to-Knee Pose): A spinal twist variation for all levels of students.
- Place your hands behind your head as we lean to the right.
- place your right elbow on your right knee.
- Rest your head in your right hand, your left hand is on your left ear.
- As you exhale sink your right lower ribs into your body, and draw your top elbow and shoulder back, twisting your wait at the navel to the left.
- If you sufferKnee injury: Don't flex the injured knee completely!
- Beginner's Tip: Make sure the bent-leg foot doesn't slide under the straight leg. You should be able to look down and see the sole of the foot. Keep the bent-leg foot active too. Broaden the top of the foot on the floor and press the heel toward the inner groin of the straight leg.
SHOPPING TIP:
Summer in the City: Things TuTu Do Around The Town
- Dancing in the Plaza: Every Thursday in August, 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm. at the The Charles A. Dana Discovery Center Inside the Park at 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues The Conservancy invites you to free summer dance parties in Central Park. Bring a friend, or find one here, for dance instruction followed by dancing to live music under the stars. August 16: Salsa Night with Chino Nunez & Friends Orchestra,Salute to Hector Lavoe; August 23: R&B Night with Soul Express; August 30: Disco Night with DJ Bobby Morales. For more information, call 212-860-1370. For all events in Central Park, check out Central Park's official Web site.
- The River To River® Festival is the nation's largest FREE summer-long arts festival. Featuring a wide range of music, dance, and the visual arts - all at scenic and celebrated locations south of Chambers Street in Lower Manhattan - the Festival, now in its sixth year, runs from June through September. For complete details on more than 100 FREE dance, music and arts events in Lower Manhattan this summer, please visit www.RiverToRiverNYC.com
- Tropical Summer Concerts: FREE every Wednesday starting August 1st 12 NOON- 2PM Caribbean Cultural Center 408 west 58th st. Each week during the summer the Center will present free music, dance and cultural events. Bring your lunch and buy a delicious smoothie there.
Special Class Reminders
- CLASS PHOTOS WITH ARTHUR: class photos up...go look for yourself!!! here and here. Hopefully Arthur will be in and out taking more photo's of many other classes @The Alvin Ailey School and we'll give you more links to look for yourself and your friends.
- IF YOU NEED PRIVATE LESSONS or/and Coaching, FEEL FREE TO EMAIL KAT HERE. PRIVATES CAN BE ARRANGED AS TIME AND SPACE PERMITS.
- To all my private students, please note!: We are upgrading our private training facility to a new location. Private students stay tuned, as I will contact you about our September 9 start.
- This September marks 33 years of Kat teaching ballet, and it's my great joy and pleasure each and every class, thanks for joining me.
- Note: Kat will be performing December 20,21 &22, 2007 in Oneonta, NY (2nd annual Retirement & last!) as guest artist/Sugar Plum Fairy with Slavomir Wozniak in Oneonta, Ny.
- Friday Night Pas de Deux (PDD) club rehearses to The Red Violin soundtrack, choreographed by Royce Zackery! August dues are due please see Jimmy BB Bare.
- Kat's personal scholarship students please take note: all current scholarships will conclude September 1st. Going forward, fewer positions will be available and only for a three month period, to allow other dancers an opportunity to benefit!! Please speak to me and let me know you understand this new policy..ty!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.
--Mihkail Baryshnikov
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