Prolific Texture Contemporary Ballet goes ‘Nearly Wild’

Texture Contemporary Ballet dancers Amanda Summer and Alan Obuzor. Photo by Katie Ging. By Steve Sucato To say that Texture Contemporary Ballet’s Alan Obuzor and Kelsey Bartman are prolific dance-makers might be an understatement. Since founding the Pittsburgh-based troupe in 2011, the pair has had a hand in creating more than 30 new ballets for it. For many choreographers, that would be a decade’s worth … Continue reading Prolific Texture Contemporary Ballet goes ‘Nearly Wild’

Texture Contemporary Ballet stays in Perpetual Motion

By Steve Sucato The title of Texture Contemporary Ballet’s latest program, Perpetual Motion, also aptly describes the company itself. Led by directors Alan Obuzor and Kelsey Bartman, Texture has seemingly been moving nonstop since its founding two summers ago. The troupe, named one of Dance Magazine‘s “25 to Watch” in 2013, has taught workshops and performed frequently throughout the area, most recently at last month’s PrideFest. … Continue reading Texture Contemporary Ballet stays in Perpetual Motion

Fotosjcm Announces Innovative Ballet Photography Book ‘Esprit de Corps’

Photographer and former dancer Jesús Chapa-Malacara, head of art production company fotosjcm, announces the launch of Esprit de Corps, an innovative book of ballet photography unlike any seen before.  The high-end art book, currently being independently financed and offered exclusively through a Kickstarter campaign, will feature world-class dancers from several top ballet companies, including American Ballet Theatre’s Jared Matthews and Yuriko Kajiya, Dance Theatre of Harlem‘s Michaela DePrince … Continue reading Fotosjcm Announces Innovative Ballet Photography Book ‘Esprit de Corps’

North Carolina Dance Theatre delights at Chautauqua

By Steve Sucato News Contributing Reviewer For the first of its two performances with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, the North Carolina Dance Theatre, in residence at the Chautauqua Institution, presented a stylistically and musically diverse program featuring three works including the world premiere of choreographer Sasha Janes’ “Loss.” The program, Tuesday night in the Institution’s Amphitheater, began with a reprise of choreographer Mark Diamond’s “Appalachian Suite” that premiered … Continue reading North Carolina Dance Theatre delights at Chautauqua

Radacovsky’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ a triumph for Grand Rapids Ballet Company

Reviewed by Steve Sucato Re-envisioning Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet must be a little like trying to re-envision the act of breathing. The story is so ingrained in popular culture that any retelling automatically carries with it the burden of knowing expectation. Despite this, seemingly every dance season another choreographer adds their dance interpretation to the bountiful “Romeo & Juliet’s” already out there. Choreographer Mario Radacovsky took a contemporary … Continue reading Radacovsky’s ‘Romeo & Juliet’ a triumph for Grand Rapids Ballet Company

The City Ballet of Cleveland to present Spring Repertory Concert

  (Cleveland, OH) – The City Ballet of Cleveland, formerly Cleveland City Dance Company will be presenting its annual spring repertory concert at the Tri-C Eastern Campus on Saturday May 11th at 7:00 p.m. The diverse and entertaining program includes “Swan Lake, Act III” the classical ballet set to Tchaikovsky’s music. The members of the pre-professional company will also dance a lively “Maypole” and the … Continue reading The City Ballet of Cleveland to present Spring Repertory Concert

Russian National Ballet dances a pleasing Swan Lake

Reviewed by Steve Sucato A production of “Swan Lake” without its lovers’ tragic end? It appeared so Tuesday as Elena Radchenko’s Russian National Ballet Theatre performed its version of the ballet classic at the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts. The enchanted story of maidens under the spell of the evil sorcerer Von Rothbart who take the form of swans during the day and … Continue reading Russian National Ballet dances a pleasing Swan Lake

Ballet Inspired by Grief Center Premieres

By Steve Sucato Bodiography Contemporary Ballet artistic director Maria Caruso’s dance works have always come from a caring place. But the latest in her string of health-care-related dance works, Whispers of Light, literally comes from the Caring Place. The poignant work is set to an original score by Carnegie Mellon University professor of composition Nancy Galbraith that’s performed live by a 13-piece orchestra. It was inspired by … Continue reading Ballet Inspired by Grief Center Premieres

LINES Ballet to Perform in Cleveland as Part of 30th Anniversary Tour

By Pam Barr CLEVELAND (Jan. 7, 2013) – The acclaimed LINES Ballet, led by visionary choreographer and artistic director Alonzo King, will come to the Ohio Theatre for two performances, Jan. 26-27, presented by DANCECleveland and PlayhouseSquare. The LINES Ballet program will include two recent King dances: Scheherazade, created in 2009, and Resin from 2011. Scheherazade is a re-envisioning of the ancient collection of Persian, … Continue reading LINES Ballet to Perform in Cleveland as Part of 30th Anniversary Tour