February 9th, 2010 by soullldiva

I found this fantastic video of an Isador Duncan style-dance and thought it would go perfectly with this luscious quote of hers:

“Every movement that can be danced on the seashore
without being in harmony with the rhythm of the waves,
every movement that can be danced in the forest
without being in harmony with the swaying of the branches,
every movement that one can dance… in the sunshine,
in the open country, without being in harmony with the life
and the solitude of the landscape – every such movement is false,
in that it is out of tune in the midst of nature’s harmonious lines.
That is why the dancer should above all else choose movements
that express the strength, health, nobility, ease and serenity of living things.”
Isadora Duncan

I love the idea that to dance is to be in harmony with the land, the sea, the air and the fabric of life around us. Dance is living and dance is life.

Isn’t Tamara Rojo gorgeous? Just look at the expression on her face, her joy, her FEET!! More on her later…

February 5th, 2010 by soullldiva

The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers’ director Jon M. Chu, along with choreographers Harry Shum Jr. and Chris Scott made a video announcement today on their YouTube page that they have officially been invited to perform on the telecast of the 82nd Academy Awards March 7th on ABC. Sa-weeeeeeeet!

Thank gawd for Mr. Adam Shankman, director of the presentation this year. Seeing as he has a vested interest in dance, he is certainly making it way more interesting for those who love dance. Can’t wait to see what he’s concocted for the viewers.

Meanwhile, Jon also said the LXD had been invited to perform on Ted Talks (ted.com) next week. Tune in for that online!

Here’s to a fantastic Oscars 2010!

February 4th, 2010 by soullldiva

How could  I forget to write about this? The highlight of the evening of the Grammy Awards presentation last Sunday was absolutely Pink. The fantastic blend of her music with the beautiful fabric acrobatics was absolutely stunning. Just really a moment of aesthetic stimulation in a sea of shake-em-up-and-stick-it-in-their-face performances. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed most of the night, but Pink’s piece was a welcome break from the relentless pace of the night. Check it out here:

Even the moment with the water was breathtaking. And “Glitter in the Air” is really a pretty song. Made me want to go listen to her latest album, which I haven’t wanted to do in a while. Here’s lyrics from the song:

Have you ever fed a lover with just your hands?

Close your eyes and trust it, just trust it.

Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?

Have you ever looked fear in the face

And said I just don’t care?

Wow. So…so…gorgeous, lush…oh.

She didn’t win any Grammy’s that night, but what an award-winning performance. Really a class act. Thanks Pink!

January 25th, 2010 by soullldiva

Cirque du Soleil, (Circus of the Sun) is a self-described “dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment”. (Thanks, Wikipedia!) The production company is locate in Montreal, Quebec and was founded by two street performers, Guy Laliberte and Daniel Gauthier (later director Franco Dragone would join on as a director).

Certainly more theatrical than the traditional 3-ring circus (and there are no animals), what really drives Cirque is the original characters that develop during the show. Yes, there are clowns, but does Barnum & Bailey’s tell a story of a clown watching his own funeral, inspired by “The Grand Parade: Portrait of the Artist as Clown” on display at the National Gallery of Canada? I think not.

Cirque artfully blends many types of performing: dance, acrobatics, music, acting, wire, ring and fabric work, and even the sets and costumes are themselves works of art. Sometimes it’s almost too much for the senses to take in!

Here is an example, from their 2005 show Corteo (about the clown mentioned above). There are highwire acts in circuses, but what about a dancing highwire artist in TOE SHOES? Kid you not. And just drink in the other wire work being done (angels who assist her), and the beautiful classic flamenco guitar music and other performers dressed as harlequin clowns.

Eye candy, right?

There are also transformation of normal things in Cirque to extraordinary, fun things. Like turning trampolines into beds and having the “kids” bounce on them! They bounce so high and keep their lovely lines, toes pointed. Really fun.

I had an acting teacher who encouraged us to go see Cirque when it came to town, because it wasn’t a circus to show us animal tricks, it showed us the amazing things that human beings could do. And amazing it is. It’s really about being completely submersed in a cornucopia of art forms for two solid hours. Heaven.

Do you have a favorite Cirque show? Let me know!

January 19th, 2010 by soullldiva

Gilles Marini was my personal favorite to win Dancing With the Stars season 8 last spring.  It was unfortunate that Gilles did not have the fanbase that little gymnast Shawn Johnson had. While she certainly wowed the crowds and did excellently, Gilles just had that…certain…something extra. Was it sex appeal? Maybe. He simply showed more depth and dimension in his dancing (acting comes in handy, huh?). Take his Argentine Tango, for instance, with his partner Cheryl Burke. Probably the sexiest dance ever on Dancing With the Stars. Don’t think so? Let me know!