What Dance Can Do? Bring Dance To Children!

Dance changes lives. We have seen it happen.

Interview with Aurélia Sellier, Founder and President of „The What Dance Can Do Project“ in September 2020.

I just wanted to give you a quick update for 2021 as COVID did not totally stop this non-profit organization although some projects obviously had to be put on hold. New activities happened last year in New Zealand (primary school), Morocco (orphanage), Paris (hospital Necker and young migrants). 
This year THE WHAT DANCE CAN DO PROJECT started weekly ballet classes for underprivileged children in Tunis Tunisia. Also they will launch in June a partnership with a new hospital in Paris, George Pompidou. In Fall Aurélia Sellier hopes to be able to resume her work with Kinderspital in Zurich, a hospital in Bruxelles and hopefully start projects in the UK, perhaps with the Royal Ballet in London.  This organization was recognized of public interest in Switzerland (all donations are deductible) and now is in the process of registering in France and New Zealand.

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Endlich! NOTHING LEFT am Tanzfestival Steps

Tanz kann den Trauerprozess fühlbar machen

Nach 3 Absagen findet endlich die Tournee von NOTHING LEFT statt, choreografiert von Tabea Martin. Auftakt in Basel am 12. und 13. Juni 2021!

TELEFONISCHES INTERVIEW MIT TABEA MARTIN AM 9.3.2020

Die Basler Choreografin Tabea Martin beschäftigt sich in ihrer Trilogie („This is my last dance“ 2018 und „Forever“ 2019) mit dem Tod. Das dritte Stück NOTHING LEFT sollte im Rahmen einer Koproduktion mit dem Migros-Kulturprozent Tanzfestival Steps und dem Veranstalternetzwerk Expédition Suisse am 25.4.2020 in der Kaserne Basel uraufgeführt werden, musste aber abgesagt werden.

Wie würden Sie sich als Choreografin beschreiben?

Ich bin neugierig. Ich bin ein Teamplayer, der den Austausch mit den Tänzern und dem Team sucht. Ich schätze Humor und Absurdität d.h. ich will nicht alles zu ernst nehmen und mich selbst relativieren. Mich interessieren gesellschaftlich relevante Themen. Ich nutze die Möglichkeit zu fragen und kritisch zu sein.

2018 THIS IS MY LAST DANCE Tabea Martin & Simona Bertozzi – Short Trailer from Tabea Martin on Vimeo. Erster Teil der Trilogie von Tabea Martin
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Most Physically Demanding Job


Dance is #1 on this study

Ballet and Dance Lovers know how hard dancers have to work every single day to stay in shape. But I was really astonished when I saw this article in the Dance magazine written by Madeline Schrock on Jan 24, 2020 (Source: https://www.dancemagazine.com/most-physically-demanding-jobs-2644898194.html?rebelltitem=2#rebelltitem2)

Dance Ranked Most Physically Demanding Job in the U.S.

Dancers certainly don’t need anyone to tell them how physical their profession is. But now, we have the data to prove it.

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Meet the Ballet Pianist Mladen Dabizljevic

Interview with Mladen, Composer, performer and interpreter

What does a ballet pianist do? 

The ballet pianist’s job consists of playing the piano for ballet classes, that is to say accompanying the dancers in their daily workout and rehearsals in the ballet studio and on stage. Furthermore it is the key figure assisting the choreographer in the creative process from the musical point of view.

Gala evening with dancers from La Scala theater 
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Why Are Some Stages Raked?

A blessing for the audience, NOT for the dancers

A raked (or inclined) theatre stage is built on an angle that slopes upward and away from the front the stage, away from the audience. It improves the view, supports the illusion and help make choreographic designs clear. Raked stages are nowadays usually with a rake of 5 degrees or less. There are far more common today in Europe, with its deep theatrical traditions in the Middle ages. Almost all American stages have flat floors, except the Philadelphia Academy of Music and a few Broadway productions f.e. the version of the musical Billy Elliot.

Visiting professional dancers have been known to experience vertigo when they first set foot on raked stages. Balance is completely different. It takes a good deal of adjustment during the first few days on a raked stage, especially when turning. Even the risk of injury increases by three times for dancers on raked stages.

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Hooray – Live Premiere of Ballet Zurich

Walking Mad – Choreographies by Edward Clug and Johan Inger

For a reduced audience of 50 people due to covid regulations in Switzerland, a special program has been developed. This two-part ballet evening WALKING MAD already premiered on 1 May, next performances on 21 ans 22 May – no way to get a ticket!

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„Dance is Movement Refined to Communicate“

Friedemann Vogel’s message for International Dance Day 2021

Friedemann Vogel’s Message for International Dance Day on April 29th, 2021
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„EINE COMPAGNIE IST WIE EINE PRALINENSCHACHTEL“ – 20 Jahre Ballettdirektor Richard Wherlock am Theater Basel

Interview mit szenik und balletloversblog

Anlässlich seines Jubiläums haben sich szenik und der Ballettloversblog mit dem Choreografen und Basler Tanzdirektoren Richard Wherlock unterhalten. Ein Interview über seine unendliche Liebe zum Tanz, die Entwicklung seiner Ziele, die Auswahl der TänzerInnen und das Basler Publikum. Wir sagen: Alles Gute zum Jubiläum und auf die nächsten 20 Jahre!

Theater Basel: 20 Jahre Richard Wherlock I szenik am 15.04.2021
Interview: j. lippmann & e. hock am 23.03.2021, Visiokonferenz Schnitt: j. lippmann ///
DAS 1. WEBMAGAZIN DER DARSTELLENDEN KÜNSTE | GRENZÜBERSCHREITENDE REGION GRAND EST Konzerte | Theater | Tanz | Oper | Festival | szenik live | Bühnenkunst Magazin
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16 Amazing New Creations by Gauthier Dance

Eric Gauthier refuses to stand still

What an outstanding project created by Eric Gauthier! „The Dying Swan“ revisited in 16 new creations: 16 solos by 16 choreographers from all over the world, danced by the 16 dancers of Gauthier Dance//Dance Company Theaterhaus Stuttgart, with music by 16 componists, captured by 16 video artists: This is „The Dying Swans Project“.

How the project started

The initial spark for Eric Gauthier’s Dying Swan’s Project was ignited when Gauthier Dance’s extensive tour program in February and March fell victim to the extended lockdown. Eric Gauthier saw the increasing discouragement in the eyes of his dancers and he realized that he had to do something about it. His “dying swans” needed a new artistic challenge and so The Dying Swans Project was born! Small at first, but it was to get better. A few days later, Gauthier, himself a member of the “be a mover” community, was invited to a talk with Jörg Howe, Head of Global Communication at Daimler AG. When he shared his dream, Howe spontaneously offered him support.

Watch all terrific 16 choreographies here – coming consecutively!

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Becoming A Different Person On Stage

Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre James B. Whiteside

Learn more about incredible multi-talented James B. Whiteside who says „Ballet is dam hard“.

James Whiteside gives us a look inside the life of a professional ballet dancer. By In The Know on 25.02.2020
Meet James B. Whiteside, a professional ballet dancer, musical artist, drag queen, and so much more. Learn about his many dimensions and the state of modern ballet in this episode of In the Know Profiles.
Swan Lake – Isabella Boylston & James Whiteside on 08.10.2020 by the Cindies
ABT principal dancers Isabella Boylston & James Whiteside dance the „White Swan pas de deux“ from Swan Lake.
Ballet god James B. Whiteside serves up a raw dance performance by NOWNESS on 02.07.2020
Innovative vision, relentless passion, and four years of shooting and editing led to the creation of a cinematic exploration of dance from filmmaker and photographer Pasha (known as YOPOOSH). Death of a Teen Idol, as performed by American Ballet Theatre principal James Whiteside, forms part of the director’s wider Hotel Armada project, which captures the artistry of vogue, ballet and contemporary styles through energetic profiles of seventeen dancers…

CV by jamesbwhiteside.com

http://jamesbwhiteside.com/ballet-about