Just before Nick Carraway meets Jay Gatsby in his big mansion on West Egg, the party his neighbor is throwing for a large number of people is in full Roaring Twenties swing. And inevitably, that means dancing, from “old men pushing young girls backward in eternal graceless circles” to “a great number of single girls dancing individualistically,” all of it part of the … [Read more...]
Boca Ballet Theatre to mark 25th with stars they fostered
By Dale King Boca Ballet’s executive director, Dan Guin, feverishly pulled together copies of Dance Magazine covers from the past several years that were strewn across his desk. “He performed here,” he said, poking his finger at the photo of a familiar dance artist. “She did, too,” he said, pointing at another. Guin repeated this action again and again until he singled 27 … [Read more...]
Taylor’s ‘Promethean Fire’ dazzles at Duncan
A scene from Paul Taylor’s Promethean Fire. (Photo by Paul B. Goode) By Tara Mitton Catao When a choreographer creates — even one as prolific a master as Paul Taylor — not every work is of the same caliber. And with Taylor, who has so many genres of work that he creates, it gets even more complicated. But suffice it to say that his Promethean Fire is a definite keeper. It … [Read more...]
Strong MCB company sparkles in Program III
Tricia Albertson and Miami City Ballet dancers in Year of the Rabbit. (Photo by Daniel Azoulay) By Tara Mitton Catao Miami City Ballet gave yet another sparkling performance Saturday afternoon at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The company was in excellent form — dancing with command — in Program Three, which was an elegant and richly satisfying selection of works … [Read more...]
MCB brings strength, variety to Program II
Miami City Ballet dancers in Twyla Tharp’s In the Upper Room. (Photo by Gene Schiavone) By Tara Mitton Catao This past weekend, Miami City Ballet closed its second program of the 30th anniversary season with well-attended performances at the Kravis Center. The strong and varied program was nicely balanced, flowing smoothly from one work to the next as well as highlighting … [Read more...]
High-energy pieces do best for Lula Washington Dance Theatre
A scene from Global Village, choreographed by Lula Washington. (Photo by Eric McGinnis) By Tara Mitton Catao Could there have been a better way to start off the Lula Washington Dance Theatre’s show at the Rinker Theatre on Jan. 22 than with Michael Tomlin III tipping the brim of his hat to us and proceeding to dance to the music of Terence Blanchard? It wasn’t long before … [Read more...]
Hubbard Street Dance brilliant at Duncan Theatre
By Tara Mitton Catao Hubbard Street Dance Chicago made a great impression Friday night while making its first appearance as part of the Duncan Theatre’s popular dance series in Lake Worth. The polished company that started more than 30 years ago as a jazz and tap dance troupe performing in the parks of Chicago has morphed into a top-notch contemporary dance organization that … [Read more...]
Trinity Irish Dance: A bit over the top, but hard to resist
By Tara Mitton Catao Last Saturday night, the stage of the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts brimmed with the buoyant movement of the Trinity Irish Dance Company, reflecting not only a timeless appeal but a freshly invigorating approach. The bouncing curls and lightning feet of the young dancers filled the performing space with what is now being called “progressive Irish … [Read more...]
Rioult Dance: Fine execution, middling material
By Tara Mitton Catao One could sense the integrity of the tight-knit artistic ensemble that is Rioult Dance NY, the small modern dance company that performed at the intimate Rinker Playhouse at the Kravis Center on Thursday night. Proficient in what they do, Rioult Dance presented a well-balanced program of works choreographed by Artistic Director Pascal Rioult. In Views of … [Read more...]
Vital ‘Viscera’ energizes MCB’s Program I
By Tara Mitton Catao A tepid launch of Miami City Ballet’s 30th anniversary season this last weekend suggests it might be time to rethink repertoire. On Program I, which was performed Saturday night at the Kravis Center, there were three works. Two selections reached way back in time; one was choreographed 64 years ago and the other 71 years ago. The third was a commissioned … [Read more...]