If it has been awhile since you last went out dancing, I thought I’d share this instructional video from Soul Train. I think this clip is absolutely hilarious. Dear god the fashions leave a lot to be desired.
For those of you too young to remember Soul Train, was an American musical variety show that aired in syndication from 1971 to 2006.
Enjoy.
Who hasn’t danced around in their underwear to a favorite song in their bedroom? While I’ve never videotaped myself doing this, I’m probably in the minority, considering people’s fascination with seeing themselves on film.
This guy does a good job mirroring himself a decade later. While it is a bit strange at the start, I couldn’t help but chuckle watching this. Provided a guy dancing in underwear won’t raise eyebrows, it is fine to watch in your office. Enjoy.
First held in 1981, BAGLY Prom night is the nation’s oldest and largest LGBT Youth Prom in the country. Since the late 1990’s, the event has attracted over 1,000 youth. The admission for the BAGLY Prom is $20 and may be paid in cash at the door. If you are interested in supporting this event you may make a donation to BAGLY or you can offer to chaperone. More information here.
To anyone who may be reading my blog and planning to attend this prom, I’d like to wish you a safe and fun evening.
Photo Source: National Ballet
It is opening night for the Boston Ballet, and tonight I’ll be heading to the Opera House to see Chroma. This is the fifth production of the Boston Ballet’s 2012-2013 season. I’ve enjoyed seeing the less traditional ballets from this season: Fall Program and All Kylián. I’m sure traditionalists would disagree, but everything from the choreography, to the music and the set design consistently amaze. For some dance may not be a form of art they appreciate, but I’d encourage anyone reading my blog to consider making a night of the Boston Ballet. If you don’t live here, check out what dance troupes and performances are near you. You just might be surprised by the athleticism and grace on display and find yourself having a great time.
For those unfamiliar (like I was), here is a brief description. Chroma is a one act contemporary ballet that created by Wayne McGregor for the Royal Ballet and premiered at the Royal Opera House in November 2006. The work is book-ended by two of George Balanchine’s most highly acclaimed ballets – Serenade and Symphony in C, a rousing grand finale with 52 dancers on stage.
Chroma runs through Sunday, May 12th. You may purchase tickets here.
Tonight marks the opening for The Boston Ballet’s latest performance All Kylián, which is based on the choreography of Jirí Kylián that includes some of Kylián’s most iconic ballets: Wings of Wax, Tar and Feathers as well as Symphony of Psalms.
Performances start tonight at the Boston Opera House and will run through Sunday, March 17th. I am very excited to see the show later next week. Below I’ve included a video of an excerpt from a dance he choreographed called Falling Angels. You may purchase tickets to All Kylián here.
Perhaps you have seen this video which has gone viral. I couldn’t resist hopping on the bandwagon so to speak and sharing this two minute video of Jimmy Fallon and Michelle Obama demonstrating the “Evolution of Mom Dancing”.
This Sunday is the Mass Bearz Tea Dance at Club Cafe. I plan on stopping by to check out the Tea Dance and to say hello to some friends so if you happen to stop by and see me, please say hello.
For many it is a long holiday weekend (sadly not for me) so I’m hoping that there will be a fun crowd that will help me forget that I have to head back to work the next day.
Bearz Tea Dance at Club Cafe starts at 5PM – and has no cover charge.
The Boston Globe says that the Boston Ballet’s new production of the Nutcracker “shimmers”… I’m not really sure what that means, and I’ve not had a chance to see the show this year, but I’m assuming what Thea Singer was trying to say was Get Your Ass To The Nutcracker.
Thanks to the Boston Ballet for sharing this beautiful photo from the show. If you are tempted, you may purchase tickets to see the Nutcracker, which runs through December 30th.
The Boston Ballet Nutcracker opens tonight. This year’s ballet is a reimagined production with all-new costumes and sets by Robert Perdziola and some new choreography by Boston Ballet artistic director Mikko Nissinen.
Boston Ballet Nutcracker runs November 23 to December 30
Attending the Nutcracker will get you into the holiday spirit. You may purchase tickets here.
The image is a sketch of Clara from costume and set designer Robert Perdziola’s in the reworked “Nutcracker’’ for Boston Ballet.
I leave for Brazil on Friday and to build excitement about the trip each day I am going to publish what I’m calling a “Brazil Post”. I thought I’d start the Brazil themed post with a bit of music and dance since most people associate the sounds of samba and Carnival with this South American nation.
A couple years ago I posted this video of a bunch of young guys dancing in their underwear (a.k.a. cueca). Enjoy the video.
Source: Boston Ballet
The Boston Ballet Fall Program opened this past Thursday. Described as a powerhouse trio of contemporary works featuring three visionary choreographers, including Christopher Bruce’s Rooster, William Forsythe’s The Second Detail, and a world premiere by Boston Ballet’s Resident Choreographer, Jorma Elo.
The Fall Program opened with “Rooster”, which I saw when it premiered at The Boston Ballet in Play with Fire last spring. Eight songs by The Rolling Stones danced to by 10 ballet dancers will capture your attention I promise you. Despite having seen this last spring I could watch this again and again and I think you will feel the same too.
The following performance “Awake Only” is decidedly more dreamy. The dancers are slightly upstaged in my opinion by the unexpected and exceedingly cute young student from the Boston Ballet School, Liam Lurker. You will be taken by his boyish exuberance at performing on such a large stage.
The Boston Ballet Fall Program closes with the more energetic “The Second Detail”. This includes more than a dozen dancers on stage, and I loved the energy and commanding nature of this performance. I was constantly trying to keep up with watching everything happening.
All told, the Fall Program was a fun night and one I think more people would enjoy if they gave The Boston Ballet a chance. Make a night of it. The performance starts at 7:30 and concludes at 10. Tickets are less expensive than you might think so act quickly since the Fall Program only runs through November 4 at The Boston Opera House.
The Boston Ballet is often overlooked when my friends make plans to go out, and I thought by sharing a conversation I had with John Lam, a Boston Ballet Soloist, it might help raise awareness and encourage people to support this amazing cultural institution in Boston.
Last Friday I sat down with John on the top floor of the Boston Ballet in the South End. Watching dancers lounge and chat after a long day of rehearsals was surreal, and I asked John how one ends up with a career as a ballet dancer. John’s story surprised me. His parents emigrated to Northern California in the 1980s as refugees from Vietnam, and enrolled him in ballet through an inner city scholarship program when he was 4.
His parents who were of humble origins enrolled him not out of a love for dance, but because they needed him to be watched after while they worked their multiple jobs. His passion for dance and ballet in particular manifest years later. As a teenager, while dancing in Marin County he met Mikko Nissinen; years later Mikko would become the Artistic Director for the Boston Ballet and recruit John.
When talking about The Boston Ballet 2012-2013 season, John talks with admiration about their amazing range in shows. Next Thursday I will be at opening night to watch the Fall Program, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of that range. Tickets start at $29 (less if you are a student). For more about this year’s season visit here
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BosGuy 