THIS SWAN IS BACK!

I know I'm not really on schedule with my big 2011 Launch -- but no worries -- I promise you -- it is coming!  One thing you must learn about NYers -- especially NY Dames, we do things "our way", "on our own (very limited) time!" 

The beginning of the this year has been... tangled, to say the least.  Wrought with too many conflicting needs (make money? dance? make money? UGH!) and well, the Madame has been having a bit of the Winter Time Blues....this frigid weather combined with NYC's total inability to clean the sludge from the corners (I MEAN REALLY ITS 2011!) and my inability to win the Lotto,or get a job, makes me patently p****ed! So, rather than bother YOU -- my lovely readers -- with my brooding moods,  I decided to wait until something cheerful came my way.  And Something Cheerful has -- just this week!

Now did any of you readers wonder at all about my title? Did you notice my intended foreshadowing use of The Swan imagery? I'm sure you are all well entrenched into Oscar Season and as such, I am sure you are all aware that The Black Swan, has been a hit! Now, all of my non-dancer friends seem rather surprised that they could enjoy a "dance based movie" so much -- they are now interested in seeing Swan Lake!  It seems that Black Swan may in fact have done more to expand the Ballet Audience base than the entire Balanchine Trust!  (Now, our job as dancers is to make sure the live stage drama can live up to the movie!)

As a dancer, I think  ITS ABOUT TIME! I don't know why most non-dancers feel that Ballet and Dance are somehow "Lesser Arts", only a step above Cheerleading, but it seems that most non-dancers really do sort of feel this way -- they don't get it -- and well, that may actually be a combination of the Artists not doing their job (uh.oh.) and that access to the Form is limited.

But now that Hollywood has caught on to things, and all of you Non-Dancers are hyped up about the topic, you are gonna be thrilled to learn that Lincoln Center, in conjunction with Dance Films Association, are premiering over 20 Films & Shorts, playing over the course of 3 weeks: January 22-February 17 for the Annual Dance On Camera Festival.  The feature films are playing mainly at The Walter Reade Theatre, with shorts and others playing at a variety of locations over the city.

Now what has the Madame all motivated is that THE DIRECTOR OF THE FESTIVALS CHOSEN PREMIERE FILM HAS AGREED TO AN INTERVIEW WITH ME! Fabrice Herrault, illustrious dancer and teacher, steeped in the training and traditions of The Paris Opera Ballet, in direct lineage of THE Claude Bessy, has made a film on Mdme. Bessy, titled  Lignes d’Une Vie (Traces of a Life) and he is gonna give Madame B. all the juicy details.  Just the fact that we now get to go and watch what I am sure will be rare documentary footage on the life of Mdme. Claude Bessy -- and that SHE WILL BE THERE AT THE PREMIERE ON JAN 28th -- this alone is making me swoon. I can't sleep, I'm excited! 

FOOT NOTE FOR NON-DANCERS (or for very bad dancers who DON'T RESEARCH THEIR ART!)
Mdme. Bessy, is one of France's most acclaimed Ballerinas,dancing for the most glamorous company in the World, The Paris Opera Ballet.   She began her training at age 9 -- and entered the company as Corps Member at age 13.  WHOA. Funny enough it was actually a staging by Balanchine who allowed her to reach acclaim and be seen by the World. She then went on to became a soloist by age 19 which then led to her travel to the US -- where she danced in film & theatre before being called back to The Opera.  She then began to really branch out in her work -- had a horrific, near career ending accident, but then triumphed.  This long winding path enabled her to receive the most amazing dance education that many Ballerinas never get. Her range was incredible -- she danced to Gershwin, she was involved and interested in Modern and Jazz -- with Bejart -- and because of this range, as well as her absolute mastery of the Classical Dance, she was invited to head up the School, where under her direction, she revised the entire pedagogy and led the School's growth to become one of the World's most respected Schools -- ever.  Even today, The Paris Opera Ballet School is the symbol of Excellence. Throughout her reign as Director, she enabled the Paris Opera traditions to reach over many continents because of her openness to allow students from the world over to train and the touring which she sponsored and fought for! In addition, she is also an acclaimed choreographer and a writer.... SO DANCERS AND NON DANCERS ALIKE, THIS FILM IS A BIG DEAL -- SO, PLEASE, GO SEE IT.

Anyhoo, Mnsr. Herrault and I will be sitting down for one of my fun interviews real soon -- and I will pry out all of the interesting details of the process for this rather large accomplishment of his, but until then DO YOUR HOMEWORK and get your tickets NOW!

LIGNES D’UNE VIE (Traces of a Life) Claude Bessy
Directed By: Fabrice Herrault, 2010, USA; 50m

Described as the “Golden Silhouette” by Serge Lifar, French ballerina Claude Bessy was an admired étoile of the Paris Opera Ballet and ran its prestigious school for decades. Americans know her as Gene Kelly’s partner in his “Invitation to the Dance.” Herrault’s intimate documentary, narrated by the subject, features rare vintage classroom and performance footage of the dancer in her prime, including works by Kelly, Serge Lifar, and Maurice Bejart. Q&A with Claude Bessy and Fabrice Herrault!

SCREENING WITH
Les Reflets de la danse (Reflections of the Dance)
Nicolas Ribowski, 1979, France; 33m excerpt
Paris Opera Ballet School classes featuring former students of Claude Bessy, including Sylvie Guillem and Elisabeth Maurin. Introduced by Claude Bessy.

Buy Tickets HERE!
FRI JAN 28: 6:00*
*Reception after screening. Please note: This screening is not included in the pass.
 SAT JAN 29: 4:00