Sergei Polunin in Men in Motion

March 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Sergei Polunin

I've written about the young star Polunin before (see links at the end of this article): His surprise departure from the Royal Ballet, January 24th, the possible reason (or reasons) for his departure and now, Sergei Polunin in Men in Motion as James Dean. Sergei Polunin in Men in Motion He had been compared to Nureyev and Baryshnikov by critics and was made the Royal Ballet's youngest principal dancer at 19. Then he stunned the dance world by quitting a week before he was due to appear on … [Read more...]

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Best Videos to Learn Ballet Terms

March 13, 2012 By 4 Comments
The Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet - Best Videos to Learn Ballet Terms

Are you looking for the best videos to learn ballet terms? Ballet is a visual art, so the only truly effective way to learning ballet terms and terminology is through videos. The best videos to learn ballet terms are here: The Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet The essential video dictionary of all classical ballet movements performed by some of the greatest names in American Ballet. Teachers and students alike find the Video Dictionary of Classical Ballet the most innovative … [Read more...]

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Ballet Quote: Edward Villella

March 12, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Edward Villella

American dancer, founder of the Miami Ballet and presently its artistic director, Edward Villella has been quoted: Quote by Edward Villella: “What's so wonderful about ballet is that it's mind-driven physicality. It's almost a Greek ideal of body, mind, and form.” - Edward Villella If you liked this quote, give us a "Like" below!     … [Read more...]

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Vaslav Nijinsky’s Birthday

March 12, 2012 By 1 Comment
Vaslav Nijinsky 1909

March 12 marks Vaslav Nijinsky's birthday. He would have been 122 years old!  Vaslav (or Vatslav) Nijinsky (March 12, 1890 – April 8, 1950) was a Russian danseur and choreographer of Polish descent, cited as the greatest male dancer of the early 20th century. Wikipedia.org. To honor Vaslav Nijinsky's birthday here's a short video of him throughout the years. Notice in second 0:55 he is seen with Anna Pavlova. Video courtesy of YouTube. On Vaslav Nijinsky's birthday let's … [Read more...]

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The Anna Pavlova Dessert

March 12, 2012 By 12 Comments
The Anna Pavlova Dessert. Wikipedia.org.

One of many little known facts about Anna Pavlova's life is that she had a dessert created in her honor: the Anna Pavlova Dessert. It has an interesting history, which you can read below, but it also is quite yummy and I look forward to preparing it. For you next special occasion, give it a try, the recipe is really quite easy to prepare. Take a picture of your creation and send it to us. We will publish it and share with our readers! Anna Pavlova Dessert Origin and History Pavlova is … [Read more...]

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Truth Surfaces: Why Sergei Polunin Quit

March 11, 2012 By 3 Comments
Sergei Polunin: Truth surfaces as to why he resigned from the Royal Ballet

In my post: Why did Sergei Polunin quit? I, like many ballet lovers had this unanswered question. Now the truth begins to surface. Polunin, whose passionate and technically brilliant performances have drawn comparisons with Rudolf Nureyev arrived in Britain as a promising 13 year-old. But in recent months friends and colleagues have spoken of their concern that he has struggled to cope with the pressure of performing at such a level. The dancer is understood to have told the Royal Ballet … [Read more...]

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Interview: Sir Frederick Ashton

March 11, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Sir Frederick Ashton as on of the ugly step-sisters in Cinderella

Anna Pavlova and Frederick Aston crossed paths during her South American tour. He had gone to see the great ballerina perform and his life was changed forever! Frederick Aston Ashton was born at Guayaquil in Ecuador, [on September 1904]  in the artistic neighbourhood called Las Peñas, the original founding site of the city. When he was three years old he moved with his family to Lima in Peru. When he was 13 he witnessed a life-changing event when he attended a performance by the … [Read more...]

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Featured Ballerina: Anna Pavlova

March 11, 2012 By 6 Comments
Anna Pavlova, The Dying Swan

The life of famous Russian ballerina Ana Pavlova was an extraordinary one. She was born on February 12, 1881,  though there has been a bit of controversy on the exact date (January 31st) and died a few days shy of her 50th birthday, on January 23, 1931. She has a special connection to Mexico, the county I call home, as she was the first classical ballerina to interpret the "Jarabe Tapatio" dance on pointe during her 1919 tour to this country. The Jarabe Tapatio is commonly known as The … [Read more...]

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Ballet, A Way of Life

March 5, 2012 By 13 Comments
A ballet way of life

As I've written in a previous post, mirroring Jennifer Homans' sentiment, ballet is a way of being, of acting, a civilizing art form. This premise is based on her 15 years of research on the origins of classical ballet: ballet is more than an art, ballet is a way of life. And I agree! As a Sunday evening break and a visual delight, I'd like to offer this lovely video from YouTube, uploaded by royalballetflanders to promote the 2011-2012 season of the Royal Ballet of Flanders. It's entitled:  … [Read more...]

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Featured Ballerina: Alessandra Ferri [Video]

March 2, 2012 By 9 Comments
Alessandra Ferri's feet on Sting music video.

Alessandra Ferri is one of my favorite ballerinas. Not only because she has the most incredibly beautiful ballet feet, but because of her powerful stage presence and dramatic interpretation, as you'll witness in the music video below where she appears with Sting: as he plays, she dances with absolute technical control and spiritual abandon. How did Alessandra Ferri get started? Alessandra Ferri was born in Milan, Italy in 1963. She studied at Teatro alla Scala, Milan, until the age of 15, … [Read more...]

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