I love this video. It’s a simple portrait of a 95-year old ballet teacher, Maia Helles. She doesn’t teach or dance ballet per se in this clip, but you can see the dancer in her in the way she moves, in the way she does her morning exercises. Here’s hoping that we’re all so limber, articulate, and lovely when we’re 95!
I found this powerful because you can see the positive impression that dance has made on this woman’s life, again confirming that dance is for all people, at every age.
This made my holiday season. It has everything this blog loves: the adult beginner dancer (Stephen Colbert), Asian American ballet dancers (Hee Seo), and amazing technique (David Halberg). Stephen’s tours en l’air are not too shabby for a ballet newbie, don’t you think?!
In the other news category:
It’s been a zany past few months. I can tell you that I’ve moved in with Mr. Apricot, purchased and furnished an entire house, and acquired an adorable if exhausting puppy (Chewbacca). Some major life changes, but all for the best and things are finally starting to feel normal again. Today, for instance, was spent baking cheesecake, eating Christina Tosi’s astonishing corn cookies, and introducing Chewbacca to swimming for the first time. Which, of course, led to the obligate bath, and an afternoon nap.
I’ve been attending the intermediate ballet class at work (yes, awesomely enough, my employer offers beginning/intermediate ballet classes at its gym. Also, jazz!). But that’s barely enough to maintain technique. One of my new year’s resolutions is to start going to ballet again at least twice a week. Dear readers, do you have any ballet (or general life-related) resolutions for 2012?
I am composing a list of places where adults can take ballet class.
http://apricot.wordpress.com/studios-for-adult-ballet/
Where do you take class? Who’s your favorite teacher? Any other notes or thoughts about this studio? Leave me a note in the comments and I will add it to the list. Anywhere in the world is welcome–please give state or country, and website if possible (a phone number would be great if the studio has no website). So far, all I have are places where I’ve taken class. So I’d welcome other contributions.
Share your joy. 
I’m moving into a new house in San Francisco. My boyfriend–to be referred to now as Mr. Apricot–is busily overseeing inspections, mortgage applications, etc. etc.–while I plot decor and the like. I am not finding too much time to dance these days (down to one class a week–egads!), but will make a better effort come close of escrow, post unpacking! There’s a small chance the purchase won’t go through, but it’s looking like we’ll actually be seeing the close of escrow on the earlier side, which will be mid to late September. So, my dear friends, I will see you in October!
I’ve fallen in love. I think this man is the one! For the rest of my life!
I’m very very happy.
To celebrate, a Macmillan pas de deux from Romeo and Juliet.
What’s your favorite romantic pas de deux? I want to know!
A beautiful video with dancers from the NYCB in Chloe.
It’s been awhile, eh? I know that my posting is sporadic at best, but I have a decent excuse. In the past two months or so, I’ve been interviewing for a new job. I was on pins and needles much of the time. That didn’t leave much time for dance class, much less blogging!
But all went well, and in a few short weeks, I’ll be working for this little company:
I’m excited. Partly because (aside from the whole best company in the world, etc. etc. etc.), I’ll be close to this place. And can start dancing again in earnest.
Here’s to new beginnings!!
This video has been making the rounds on non-dance blogs that I visit:
Apparently it is possible to dance en pointe in sneakers. Who knew?! L’il Buck’s turns are good too, and all the more astonishing for the shoes he’s wearing! My knowledge of hip hop is minimal, but something like this crosses all borders.
I rather think that Fokine would like this.
Sarah Lane, Portman’s body double.
I wrote before that I was utterly unimpressed by Black Swan. The predictable plotting, melodramatic acting, and subpar dancing got to me. Now that has evolved into active dislike, thanks to the lack of acknowledgment of the REAL ballerina whose contribution was muffled in an attempt to exalt Portman’s “grueling” ballet training.
Benjamin Millepied, Portman’s babydaddy, stated in the LA Times (see dlisted article for full quote) that Lane “just did the footwork and the fouettes and one diagonal in the studio. Honestly, 85% of that movie is Natalie.” Terrible quote. Footwork, fouettes, and diagonal=only 15% of ballet? What then composes the 85%, pray tell? Arm flapping and looking constipated? Millepied needs to brush up on his basics.
Anyone with a reasonable degree of ballet training could recognize Portman’s dancing for what it was: a non-dancer trying VERY HARD to look convincing as a professional. Which, for the sake of a Hollywood movie, is fine; but let’s not pretend that Portman is some kind of prodigy.
I understand that so much of this is probably the studio pushing its agenda and not the fault of Portman or Millepied per se, but let’s give credit where credit is due. Sarah Lane is the real thing, and Natalie Portman is not.
