FEBRUARY / MARCH 2012: SPRING AWAKENING!

Hello everyone!

Well after a long hibernation, I am back! It has been incredibly hectic time here these past few months, as I've found myself hired time and time again to perform as a "Non-Dancer" in the play called "My So Called Life".  The preparations for such have just been grueling, mainly because I am cast against type.  ;P  

Now that I am back, where shall I begin to catch up?

1.  First and foremost:  I AM PERFORMING AGAIN! Let's all say YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYY! On March 24th I will be performing with 3 Flutists here in NY at Baryshnikov Arts Center.  The music is Syrinx by Debussy and it will be interpreted in 3 varying ways, in which case my movement will reflect and respond to each artist's interpretation.  Interestingly enough, while this piece sounds quite different depending on how it is interpreted, legend has it that Debussy wanted it played "exactly as written" -- nevertheless after having listened to the piece a number of times in varying interpretations, I find it fascinating how justaposing the difffering interpretations can be.  The copncept of Debussy's Syrinx is based on Pan's fabled chase of the beautiful Forest Nymph and Huntress, Syrinx.  In her impassioned plea with the Water Gods to help her cross the water and escape Pan's grasp,  Syrinx is transformed into Reed.  In his angst to capture her, he cuts down the reed to keep her forever, and from the reed constructs a Reed Flute -- aka the Pan Flute -- where he then plays his longing melody in her honor, through an instrument that is actually incarnated with her.  Come back Mid-March and tune in for a feature of the musicians performing and take a look at how they feel about the work. 


 2.

"THINK BIG!"
ABSOLUT DANIIL SIMKIN by Madame B. NYC



ABSOLUT DANIIL? Our beloved Daniil Simkin has announced his newest idea to brand himself! While it may prove a bit surreal to hear this sort of business talk so openly in the arts, Daniil points out in his essay on the matter that he is certainly not the first to market himself for the field. Nevertheless, he is one of the first to capitalize on today's reach with social networking and technology, and in doing so has opened the path for many others to follow. With all the horrific marketing for the arts and with artists rarely getting the respect and reach they deserve, Daniil's love of technology and maverick social networking skills is bringing the Ballet Artist into the 21st Century. And by pairing up with the dynamic marketing duo JaegerSloan (as in former NYCB dancer Kristin Sloan), Daniil's brand just became a whole lot sexier! Check out his savvy new site at http://www.daniilsimkin.com/, where you will find more on Daniil's loves of dancing, writing and photography

3.  Madame B.'s 3rd MAN IN TIGHTS interview is in the works!  Stay tuned to find out what fantastic Gent made the cut this time! You are gonna love him!

4.  Check out our column CLASS NOTES where we will make our Spring Season all about the TENDU! We are gonna go in-depth on this crucial ballet step with teachers, performers and students!  Exploring what it is, its importance and function and more importantly how you do it well, Madame B. hopes to answer all your questions and inspire you to perfect your Tendu this Spring.

FEB / MARCH EVENTS OF NOTE:
DAVID FERNANDEZ "SOME DANCE COMPANY" 
A benefit for Career Transitions for Dancers
7pm:  Monday February 27, 2012 Museo del Barrio Theatre:  104th Street and 5th Avenue

DAVID HALLBERG with Damien Woetzel
City Center Studio 5

FLAMENCO FESTIVAL 2012
March 1 -4, 2012
City Center

EIFMAN BALLET of St. Petersburg
March 9 - 11, 2012
City Center

MARTH GRAHAM DANCE COMPANYWith Diana Vishneva and Fang-Yi Sheu
March 14, 2012
City Center

One-night-only event with stars of the Martha Graham Dance Company, featuring Diana Vishneva in Errand into the Maze and Fang-Yi Sheu in Chronicle.

DIANA VISHNEVA Dialogues
March 16 - 18, 2012
City Center

Prima ballerina Diana Vishneva returns to City Center with Dialogues, a new project from the Mariinsky Theatre, Diana Vishneva Foundation and Ardani Artists, the team that brought us Vishneva’s Beauty in Motion in 2008.


NEW CHAMBER BALLET
Miro Magliore's got another glorious evening planned!
Friday, March 30th, 2012, 8pm
Saturday, March 31st, 2012, 8pm
An Evening with New Chamber Ballet
City Center Studios, 130 West 56th St, 5th floor (directions)
With works by Miro Magloire. Program to be annouced.
Tickets will be available in late February at Smarttix.com
or by phone at (212) 868-4444.

TU-TU-LOO!

Madame B.