Jan McNulty
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Posts posted by Jan McNulty
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For immediate release — 12/05/2020
Happy 90th Birthday bbodance!
Est. 1930This Saturday, 16 May is the 90th anniversary of bbodance, formerly known as the British Ballet Organization (BBO).
To celebrate, bbodance are giving away free memberships. These will allow teachers to access all bbodance syllabi and educational resources online until 1 September.
Founded in 1930 by the renowned teacher, Edouard Espinosa, and his wife, dancer Louise Kelland, bbodance is one of the UK's major awarding organisations, providing syllabi, Government-recognised examinations, teacher training, and inspiring events for everyone who loves dance.
In 1920, Edouard Espinosa was one of the founders of the Association of Operatic Dancing (AOD), which later became the Royal Academy of Dance. Passionate about teaching, Espinosa wanted to standardise the progressive learning of dance through syllabi and examinations, and, to achieve this, he founded bbodance 10 years later.
Espinosa used to travel the world to examine students. His tours were so popular that, in 1936, he created branches in Australia and New Zealand to manage exams locally.
Espinosa loved Theatre Dance, the precursor to modern Musical Theatre, and later the organisation expanded to include other genres. Under the stewardship of John Field, CBE and his wife, Anne Heaton, bbodance syllabi received professional recognition by the Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT; formerly, CDET). Sadly, Mrs Heaton-Field passed away earlier this month, before bbodance's (and her own) 90th anniversary.
Currently, bbodance provide syllabi and Government-recognised examinations in Musical Theatre, Contemporary, Tap, Classical Ballet, Modern, and Jazz. These syllabi are fully digitised and accessible online, as text and video, to all bbodance teachers.
To reflect this range, the organisation rebranded from British Ballet to bbodance four years ago and now delivers an in-depth teacher training programme consistent with Espinosa's vision. Inspired by his strong pedagogic mindset, bbodance Teaching Qualifications help teachers develop techniques they can apply to teach any genre, in any context.
Given current studio closures, this online Dance Teaching Qualifications programme is ever more popular and relevant; however, bbodancers can't wait to return to class. There's something about being in a space together, exploring movement, that inspires a love of the art form like nothing else. With the support of Patrons, bbodance's dedicated team are hard at work to reschedule their biggest annual event in the UK, Dance Days, which, for the first time in its history, was postponed this year due to COVID-19. However, bbodance remain hopeful that Dance Days will take place as planned in Australia and New Zealand, marking the first onsite celebration of 90 years of bbodance.
"In its 90 years, the organization has touched the lives of millions of people, introducing them to the joy of dance, and has been responsible for starting the careers of many of the most prestigious artists in the world of professional theatre. What a fantastic organization — Compact, Friendly, High-quality, Ahead of its time, and Fast to react. Sounds a bit like its founder, Edouard Espinosa!"
—Nic Espinosa, bbodance Chairman
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Oh ... I've just noticed if you click on Cinderella on the BRB website the Hippodrome dates have disappeared. Would it be too much to hope that Don Q will be slotted in and maybe the SW mixed programme???
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I've just had emails from the Hippodrome for each ticket I've got booked. Credit notes valid for 2 years have been applied to my account. If I want a refund, I've got to specifically contact them. I'm sticking with credit notes at the moment.
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Kes Reimagined (choreographed by Jonathan Watkins) is going to be live-streamed:
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1 hour ago, Pulcinella said:
The performances of the triple bill at Sadler’s Wells and Don Quixote have all been cancelled. If you go to the What’s On section of their website it says cancelled against those performances but they haven’t put the information on their Covid 19 update page, which is where I would expect to find it. I haven’t received any communication from the company or the Hippodrome or Sadler’s Wells about the cancellations.It's sad but not unexpected. I've not heard about the cancellation from SW but when NB was cancelled I didn't hear officially until nearly 2 weeks after the performances should have happened. The SW cancellation experience was very good. I've not heard anything from the Hippodrome.
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Hello Fergal1 and welcome out of the lurking shadows.
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TUESDAY 12 MAY 2020
SADLER’S WELLS ANNOUNCES PERFORMANCES BY WILKIE BRANSON & HUSSEIN CHALAYAN ON DIGITAL STAGE PROGRAMME
Today Sadler’s Wells announces the next two performances set for Digital Stage, its free online dance programme. Performances are screened live on Fridays at 7.30pm UK time via Sadler’s Wells’ Facebook page, and are then available to watch on demand on its Facebook or YouTube channels for one week thereafter.Artists and companies presented include award-winning choreographer, filmmaker and Sadler’s Wells New Wave Associate Wilkie Branson and British fashion designer and visual artist Hussein Chalayan:
- TOM – Wilkie Branson Friday 22 May at 7.30pm BST
- Hussein Chalayan – Gravity Fatigue Friday 29 May at 7.30pm BST
A new version of the extraordinary dance-for-camera installation TOM is screened on Friday 22 May, 7.30pm. The latest movement creation from award-winning choreographer, filmmaker and Sadler's Wells New Wave Associate Wilkie Branson, was set to form part of Sadler’s Wells Digital Edition in April 2020, and the film has been redeveloped specially for this Digital Stage presentation. Set in a hinterland between the civilised world and the wilderness, TOM tells the story of one man’s journey to rediscover who he really is. In this soul searching, poetic film, Branson explores storytelling using the hip hop language of b-boying, fusing it with cutting-edge technologies including animation, photogrammetry and chroma-key capture. Questions of innovation versus age-old wisdom collide in this dark and affecting journey of self-discovery, which explores issues of isolation, mental health and the perseverance of the human spirit.
Hussein Chalayan is an internationally renowned fashion designer and visual artist whose work is known for innovative design, bold use of technology and elegant minimalism. Chalayan’s first theatrical work Gravity Fatigue received its world premiere at Sadler’s Wells in October 2015. Gravity Fatigue combined the visual creativity of his artistic concepts with contemporary dance, realised in partnership with award-winning choreographer Damien Jalet (Vessel, Babel), Yeast Culture's Nick Hillel, sound illustrators Mode-F and lighting designer Natasha Chivers. The production takes its inspiration from themes of identity and displacement, and the disconnection experienced in public spaces at moments of transition. Gravity Fatigue is presented on Friday 29 May at 7.30pm.
Ahead of these newly announced performances, Moon Water from Taiwan's Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, is screened this Friday 15 May, 7.30pm. Audiences can tune into the performance or set a reminder to watch at https://sadl.rs/MoonWater. The performance is then available to watch on the Sadler's Wells Facebook and YouTube channels for the next week.
The Sadler’s Wells workshop series for audiences to dance along to home also continues. New Company of Elders Workshops, designed for the adults over 60s but available to for everyone to try, are published on Wednesday mornings. This week, the new workshop is available from Wednesday 13 May. It is inspired by the Indian classical dance form Kathak, and hosted by Urja Desai Thakore, Artistic Director of Pagrav Dance Company. In the workshop, Urja introduces the technical part of Kathak, Nritta, as well as its expressive side, Nritya, with participants learning a series of hand gestures.
Ten Family Workshops for children aged 2 – 6 years are also available to dance along to at home. Themed activities including textures, shapes, sounds, and colours, and storytelling based on fairy-tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks and the Three Bears. All workshops can be found online via the Sadler’s Wells Facebook and YouTube channels.
New content on Digital Stage has been created in response to the cancellation of shows across theatres in efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19, with Sadler's Wells continuing to bring dance to audiences through its digital channels. Further details about the Digital Stage programme can be found via Sadler’s Wells social media channels, and updated via this link on the Sadler’s Wells website: https://www.sadlerswells.com/whats-on/2020/sadlers-wells-digital-stage.
Sadler’s Wells social media handles:
Facebook: @SadlersWells
Twitter: @Sadlers_Wells
Instagram: @sadlers_wells
YouTube: Sadler’s Wells Theatre
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Cross-posted from Ballet Alert. This is terrific:
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3 hours ago, trog said:
When we eventually get in, the shelves are bare and the last few of the big trolleys that they use to pick internet orders are being wheeled off the floor. That's right! They are giving priority to lazy people who can't be bothered to go to the supermarket themselves.
I know several people who are very vulnerable and are having to shelter. Would you have them starve to death Trog?
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You only seem to be able to watch IG stories properly on the App on a smart phone or tablet. I've tried several versions of the App on my laptop and none of them seem to support IGTV (or even allow you to upload your photographs).
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Here's a thread specifically about accommodation:
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Hello Ballet and Golf Mom,
I have moved your post to this thread, which was started specifically about accommodation. If you click on the Accommodation tag at the top it will bring up loads of threads about accommodation.
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Well that was a very entertaining hour and 20 minutes this afternoon. Maria Chugai of Dutch National Ballet was a total delight - I could have listened to her all day.
Thanks for organising Terpsichore.
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Hello Magnolia and a very belated welcome to the Forum!
Thanks for taking the trouble to list suitable music.
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I think this is hilarious!!
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Links - Saturday 09 May, 2020
Streaming Review - Northern Ballet, 1984: Maryam Philpott, Reviews Hub
Streaming News - Ballet Black online: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper
Feature - How Miami City Ballet dancers are staying in motion: Suzannah Friscia, Miami New Times
News - La Scala opens virtual tour on Google Arts & Culture: Ronan Leonard, Irish Tech News
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Hello Laura and welcome to the Forum!
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Funny thing about Lady of the Camellias. Two friends had been raving about it for the best part of 20 years having seen Hamburg Ballet perform it during a festival in Copenhagen (around 1987/88). I noticed that POB were performing it in Paris in 2006 so one of those friends and I decided to go and duly got tickets for 2 performances.
The first evening (I think Aurelie Dupont and Benjamin Pech) I thought it was OK but couldn't understand why my friends had been raving about it for so long. In fact the friend I had gone with said she couldn't understand why she had been raving about it for so long! The second performance was Agnes Letestu and unannounced guest Jiri Bubenicek. What can I say. To this day I cannot say why a man standing at the side of the stage reading a book reduced me to sobbing out loud! At the end of the performance there was a tremendous standing ovation. I think the backstage staff gave up and went home because suddenly the house lights went up but the vast majority of the audience stayed ovating for probably another 10 minutes! I have never sobbed so much at a performance before or since and my friend and I were beyond the power of speech for about an hour after the performance. I conclude from this that the casting for this piece is essential.
I saw his Romeo and Juliet in Copenhagen (RDB) and didn't like that at all.
Is Neumeier a bit marmite?
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Hello Anro and welcome to the Forum!
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Fingers crossed for you Jeanette.
Dance with Dior...
https://www.prestigeonline.com/sg/pursuits/art-culture/dance-lessons-with-dior/
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Links - Friday 08 May, 2020
Obituary - Jean Erdman, dancer: Margalit Fox, NY Times
Streaming Reviews - English National Ballet, Romeo and Juliet (Nureyev):
Jim Pritchard, Seen and Heard International
Aliya Al-Hassan, Broadway World
Streaming Review - Royal Danish Ballet, Shaken Mirror (Brandstrup): Eva Kistrup, Danceview Times
Streaming Preview - New Hip-hop drama - Here/Not here: Teresa Guerreiro, Culture Whisper
Streaming News - Sydney Opera House digital season: Staff, Apollo Magazine
Commentary - Constraint in quarantine: Debra Cash, Arts Fuse
Streaming Preview - American Repertory Ballet, Giselle excerpts: Staff, New Jersey Stage
Press Release: IN CONVERSATION: Soprano Renée Fleming and English National Ballet Artistic Director Tamara Rojo on the Art of Empathy
in Ballet / Dance news & information
Posted
IN CONVERSATION: Soprano Renée Fleming and English National Ballet Artistic Director Tamara Rojo on the Art of Empathy
On Friday 15 May at 5pm BST (12pm EST), Renée Fleming (internationally renowned soprano, arts & health advocate, Artistic Advisor at Large to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts) and Tamara Rojo, CBE (Artistic Director and Lead Principal Dancer, English National Ballet) will meet for a virtual conversation discussing how the arts can contribute to holistic routes to wellbeing.
The Art of Empathy: Renée Fleming and Tamara Rojo on Creativity and Wellbeing will be led by Susan Boster (Founder and CEO, Boster Group). The conversation brings together these respected artists and arts leaders to discuss the cutting-edge work being done at the intersection of arts and science. They will also explore the inventive ways in which the arts aid physical recovery and measurably reduce depression and anxiety.
The Art of Empathy virtual session is part of The Female Quotient’s Virtual Equality Lounge Series. Founded in 2012, The Female Quotient is advancing equality in the workplace through the power of collaboration. It has created a global community dedicated to bringing visibility to women, activating solutions for change, and creating metrics for accountability. The Female Quotient’s pop-up experiences, Equality Lounge®, and now virtual conversations unite leaders across industries with one common mission: advancing equality.
The webinar is free to join and advance registration is required: https://www.thefemalequotient.com/events/the-art-of-empathy/
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English National Ballet is a National Portfolio Organisation supported by Arts Council England. Whilst English National Ballet’s building is closed and some future performances and events have been cancelled, ENB at HOME sees the Company continue to give free access to great ballet content as well as providing ways to keep people fit and moving during these uncertain times. This includes online ballet classes tailored to suit a range of abilities, virtual performances from ENB Philharmonic, blogs, playlists, and Wednesday Watch Parties (online premieres of full length recorded Company performances). More information on ENB at HOME can be found on our website: ballet.org.uk/enb-at-home
Notes to Editors
About Renée Fleming
Renée Fleming is one of the most highly acclaimed singers of our time, performing on the stages of the world’s greatest opera houses, concert halls, and theaters. Winner of four Grammy® awards and the US National Medal of Arts, Renée has sung for momentous occasions from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Diamond Jubilee Concert for HM Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. In 2014, Renée became the first classical artist ever to sing the US National Anthem at the Super Bowl.
As Artistic Advisor to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Renée launched a collaboration with the U.S. National Institutes of Health, with participation by the NEA, focused on the science connecting music, health, and the brain. She has given presentations with scientists and practitioners on this subject around the world, earning Research!America’s Rosenfeld Award for Impact on Public Opinion. Other awards include the Fulbright Lifetime Achievement Medal, Germany’s Cross of the Order of Merit, and France’s Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur. Renée’s memoir The Inner Voice, published in the US and UK in 2004, has since been translated and published in France, Germany, Japan, Poland, Russia, and China. www.reneefleming.com
About Tamara Rojo CBE
Tamara Rojo was appointed Artistic Director of English National Ballet in 2012. She combines this role with her dancing career, performing as Lead Principal with the Company.
Tamara has been repeatedly recognised for her artistic excellence. Her awards include: the 2010 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production; Spain’s three highest Honours, The Prince of Asturias Award, the Gold Medal of Fine Arts and Encomienda de Número de Isabel la Católica; the Benois de la Danse Award; Critics’ Circle National Dance Award; Barclay’s Outstanding Achievement in Dance Award; Positano Dance Award; Leonide Massine Premio al Valore; the Italian Critic’s Award; and from the City of Madrid, both the International Medal of the Arts and the Interpretation Award.
She is a member of the Board of Creative England and Creative Industries Federation, the Anglo-Spanish Society, a Patron of the Ipswich-based DanceEast Academy, Patron of the Flamingo Chicks and Adviser to Spain’s Superior Council of Artistic Studies.
In January 2016 Tamara Rojo became D.A. Magna Cum Laude, presenting her thesis ‘Psychological Profile of the Elite Dancer – Vocational Characteristics of the Professional Dancer’ at Rey Juan Carlos University, and was awarded a CBE for her services to ballet in the Queen’s 2016 New Year’s Honours.
About Susan Boster
Susan Boster is the Founder and CEO of Boster Group Ltd., an independent consultancy specialising in the development of innovative partnerships between global corporations, arts institutions and social impact foundations. Previously, as Marketing Director at Barnes & Noble and later CMO at News International, Susan oversaw transitions of both companies to e-commerce and digital platforms, including the launch of barnesandnoble.com. Susan currently sits on the boards of English National Ballet, Donmar Warehouse, The Representation Project, and serves on the Enterprise Committee at The Design Museum. She is regularly featured as a host and keynote speaker at conferences such as CognitionX and the Equality Lounge at the World Economic Forum in Davos and is a guest lecturer at Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
About English National Ballet
English National Ballet has a long and distinguished history. Founded in 1950 as London Festival Ballet by the great English Dancers Alicia Markova and Anton Dolin, it has been at the forefront of ballet's growth and evolution ever since.
English National Ballet brings world class ballet to the widest possible audience through performances across the UK and on eminent international stages including The Bolshoi Theatre and Palais Garnier; its distinguished orchestra, English National Ballet Philharmonic; and being a UK leader in creative learning and engagement practice, building innovative partnerships to deliver flagship programmes such as English National Ballet's Dance for Parkinson's.
Under the artistic directorship of Tamara Rojo CBE, English National Ballet has introduced ground-breaking new works to the Company's repertoire whilst continuing to honour the tradition of great classical ballet, gaining acclaim for artistic excellence and creativity. 2019 saw English National Ballet enter a new chapter in its history with a move into a purpose-built state-of-the-art home in East London which brings a renewed commitment to, and freedom for, creativity, ambition, and connection to more people, near and far, than ever before.
www.ballet.org.uk
About Boster Group
Boster Group is one of the world’s leading independent consultancies specialising in the development of innovative partnerships between global corporations, arts institutions and social impact foundations. It has overseen the transfer of more than $75 million to cultural and social impact partners, and delivered measurable results to its clients around the world. For over 20 years, Boster Group has been a trusted advisor to a number of Fortune 500 companies, leveraging its knowledge, expertise and global network to deliver against clients' business and social impact goals. Boster Group shapes partnerships on the basis of shared values, untapped assets and complementary capabilities. Distinctly, Boster Group measures return on investment for its clients and is focused on the impact of the creative campaigns it develops. Clients include J.P. Morgan, Moët Hennessy, EY, AMEX, BNP Paribas, Diageo, Gap Inc., Insight Investment, HSBC, Bacardi, Montblanc, State Street and Disney. For more information, go to bostergroup.com or follow @BosterGroup on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.