Classroom Confidential: TMI and Honorable Mentions
February is Birthday month for the following dancers/classmates: 07- Ryan F, 11- Katie M., 13- Aubrey B, 14- Valentino DB ( Jimmy Bear's almost famous dog), 22- Kevin A, 25- Marc K.
The horror film Gregory O shot in Romania had it's NYC premiere in January and now is available on DVD. I got my copy and Greg is gunna autograph it...And Greg's finally back from Costa Rica!...here to download a schedule of our Ailey Extension 2009 calendar…Hadley S is now personal training right near Ailey, check out her info in Klassifieds below...Imani T is working with Tracie Stanfield's Synthesis Dance Project...Casey Lee R is on tour with "Wicked" in Germany till March...do you have something you'd like to share with classmates? Come on...yes you do!

*Quote of the month: "Once you put your right foot on the stage you can never take it off. You have to put the left one, too." -Colonel W. de Basil, submitted by Andy T.

*Andros on Sol Hurok (Gurkov) (1888-1974)

Taylor's Tales
A column by our webmaster, Taylor.

Dance on a Dime

Like everything else in today's world, the arts are taking a serious hit from the dead muscle that is our economy. In the past month, 12 Broadway shows closed, several ballet companies cut back on tours, a major NYC dance studio announced it's closure, and dancers everyone are struggling. The silver lining? Many dance events are selling cheaper for audience members, meaning more ballet for your buck (and other styles, too). Check out some of these performances you can attend on a budget this month to support American artists. Some great work came out of the Great Depression, so who knows what good things might come from these bad times!

Dance Conversations at The Flea is a FREE event once a month (this time Tuesday February 3 at 7pm) that allows movement artists to share work 
and engage in a discussion with a moderator, who is often a significant person in the dance field. This month,
 several groups perform with moderator and dance critic Gus Solomons Jr. 
at HERE Arts Center 
(145 Sixth Avenue between Spring and Broome)
.

A modern master's work for FREE? It's true, but you better get there early. Merce Cunningham's Repertory Understudy Group performs at the 92nd Street Y on Friday Feb 6. Doors open at 11:40am, but seats are first come first serve. If you don't make it you can always check out their new free master class webcast series, Mondays with Merce.

Balletomanes beware: New York City Ballet has often has student rush tickets for $12 if you hit the box office the day of the performance but you need a spout of luck. Sometimes last minute seats are way up or way to either side. If you can't pass for a student, a seat in the fourth ring is a mere $20.

But why not spring an extra $5 for an orchestra seat? It's worth the hassle. Thanks to the mysterious benefactors that care for good dancing, NYCB is offering 50 $25 orchestra tickets for each performance of their winter season (through March 1). Tickets are available at the box office of NY State Theater (now the David H. Koch Theater) on Mondays at 10am for that week's shows, or through CenterCharge (212-721-6500) with code 25ORCH. An added bonus BARGAIN: choose the "20th Century Music Masters" program on Feb. 4, 7, 14, or 15 and you can see Jerome Robbins' "West Side Story Suite" instead of paying outrageous prices for the new Broadway version, which opens in previews Feb. 23.

Dance festivals can be hit or miss, but if you're not paying a cent why not give them a chance? Brooklyn's WHITE WAVE is hosting the 6th annual Cool New York Dance Festival through Sunday February 8. There are two different FREE programs each night with over 30 small and unique dance companies/artists. Something's bound to please. It's held at WHITE WAVE's John Ryan Theater, located at 25 Jay Street in DUMBO (F to York Street, or A or C to High Street).

Another for the Brooklynites: Brooklyn Arts Exchange has a "Director's Picks" program for as LOW AS $8, Feb. 20-21. Especially of note is Yasuko Yokoshi's new work in progress, "Tyler Tyler." After seeing her work at The Kitchen last year I'm a big fan.

Speaking of The Kitchen, they're always offering intriguing programming. The premiere of Jodi Melnick and Burt Barr's "Fanfare" is later in the month. The two-time Bessie award winning choreographer collaborated with sculptor and video artist Barr to provide a polychromatic setting for her meticulously designed movement. It's ONLY $12 on February 19-21.

If you're planning ahead, Jacob's Pillow is offering a bunch of free stuff this summer. Inside/Out, the Pillow's free outdoor performance space, will host over 25 dance companies, along with a full schedule of free events, exhibits, pre- and post-show talks, hour-long in-depth lectures and film screenings, classes, guided tours and more. My recommendations: Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and Pacific Northwest Ballet are both there this season. Road trip!

While we wait and wish for summer, there's one more great way to get ticket discounts. New York Times dance critic (and friend) Claudia LaRocco has started a performance club (now in it's second month) that brings together dance lovers who attend and discuss certain shows each month. She works to get group discounts to various shows, so check it out.

If all else fails, keep dancing!

Kat's Monthly Mailbag
(a mere sampling)
*Dear Kat, I would love to be able to do more in the center and I do imagine that in time I might improve enough to try the adagio - or even more. But mainly, I feel happy on days like today when I can stay vertical while more-or-less doing the tendu. Leaving early always raises other questions for me. Until recently, I usually slipped out without saying goodbye to you because I don't like to interrupt your teaching or draw your attention away from the students who are there working. Then I began to wonder if that seemed rude or unappreciative, so I've waited more often to catch your eye to say goodbye. I'm writing this because I want you to know that I appreciate the intensity of your teaching and the good attention you give me, and I don't want to do anything to dilute that for you or anyone else in the class. Very best, J.
Dear J, When I was young in ballet class we were instructed to inform the teacher, before class, if we had to leave early for any reason. I do understand not wanting to interrupt the flow of class, and I also understand certain individuals limitations (i.e. not being able to jump etc because of injury etc). As you can imagine I do wonder when dancers just leave. Did they not like the combo? Did I possibly offend them? Or maybe a call to nature? So as a general courtesy it might be nice to inform me, or any of your teachers, if possible beforehand. In most cases including yours it is most appreciated. Thanks so much for your precious time writing me. It helps me communicate better with all of you. Once I know, then a lil understanding wave goodbye is mutually acceptable, I would hope. All my best, Kat.

*Dear Kat! You are the light for us, mental and physical. You inspire...the most important - may be very American, believe "yes you can!" And little notes of gratitude are just echo and the will to thank you. You are the best! Honestly! Here in London, ballet teachers are either very snobbish, either don't pay any attention to students where ever I go…the pace is slow, even for advanced level. And of course no one can beat your hit "Friday night adagio." Oh! I miss it so so so much!!!!! But I will be back one day, as you said once, "there is always a way!" With love and gratitude, A.
Dear A, Thank you for your lovely note. I'd love to visit London and Russia. Until then keep dancing and remember to experience the joy of it, in your heart! My best to you, Kat!

Monthly Tips: Stretching, Pointe, Health, & More
*Stretch-o-da-Month: February 2009: Warrior Pose. Stretches the chest and lungs, shoulders and neck, belly, groins (psoas). Strengthens the shoulders and arms, and the muscles of the back. Strengthens and stretches the thighs, calves, and ankles.

*In celebration of the release of American Ballet Theatre's book The Healthy Dancer, Orthopedist Dr. William Hamilton and ABT physical therapist Julie Daugherty presented an injury prevention seminar. Here are a few of the tips they had for aspiring ballet dancers:
*Take time off. Rest helps the body to recover from the strain ballet puts on it. For dancers under the age of 12 especially, Dr. Hamilton encourages taking off at least one month a year from dancing. Daugherty often sees dancers injured because they were too tired or pushing themselves too hard.
*Whenever you're increasing your amount of dancing, do so gradually in order to avoid stress injuries.
*Class is not aerobic, so doing cardio training will help your performance and overall health. Strength training is also important. Dancers can just add some Pilates and crunches. Push-ups are good for the men.


*Pointe Shoe Tip 'o the Month:
*Mary Carpenter is now a fitter for FreedUSA. Freed sells Chacotts, Freed Studios, and Freed Classics. Mary has over 17 years of fitting experience working with dancers from all over the world. To make an appointment she can be reached at Mary@freedusa.com or 1-866-MYFREED. Freed is located in Long Island City one stop out on the V or E train, only 15 minutes from midtown! Anyone who visits the boutique gets 15% off! Tell her you saw it here in the newsletter!

*Capezio will soon be releasing a new pointe shoe called Simone. The shoe is constructed to minimize wrinkling as the foot relevés from flat to full pointe, and is made with sweat-wicking, fast drying materials that reduce odor. It has a slightly tapered box that features a new soft, forgiving paste that better molds to your foot. Check your local Capezio retail stores to try on a pair for yourself.

And Finally...
Re've'rence:
*Gage Bush Englund, 77, dancer, ballet mistress of ABT II, a former dancer with American Ballet Theater and the Joffrey Ballet, and former ballet mistress of the Joffrey II Dancers. As a child, Englund began studying ballet for therapy after contracting polio. Ballet soon became her passion. Ms. Englund leaves two daughters, Alixandra Gage Englund, a theatrical designer, and Rachel Rutherford, a soloist with the New York City Ballet.