EVERY TUESDAY. . . FROM SOUP TO NUTS!
Every Tuesday we gather an eclectic discussion panel to talk about dance; concepts, ideas, choreographic works, technique, training, history, tradition, innovation...
Expert or novice, critic or comic, our informal panel will ask, answer, and argue on any dance-related topic. Click on the links below to enjoy the entertaining exchange!
We welcome your ideas, issues, themes, and questions:
Tuesday, December 20
Merry Christmas
Joyeux Noël
Happy Chanukkah
Happy New Year
Tuesday, December 13
Sorry there's no video clip to accompany this entry yet. I wanted to copy the introduction from our programme for "The Nutcracker & The Girl With The Shell". It includes a little bit of historical info about The Nutcrackerand some important acknowledgements...
On behalf of Port City Dance Academy, welcome to this special performance of The Nutcracker & The Girl With The Shell. As this becomes an annual event, in support of and in partnership with Foundation Glycosylation (www.TheFoG.ca), we hope it will become a special part of your Christmas tradition.
Although the 1892 première of The Nutcracker was not well received, the ballet has become the most popular and the most magical work of the classical ballet repertoire. Each year performances all around the world introduce a new generation of audience members and dance students to the enchanting world of ballet, while continuing to delight the most seasoned balletomanes. We are pleased to give our students the opportunity to present this special work, they have prepared it with enthusiasm and vitality; I hope you will be as touched by their passion as I have been!
Thank you to the City of Saint John for awarding us a grant in 2010 for the initial development of this project. And a simple thank you seems inadequate for the generous support of the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation. We are grateful to a long list of volunteers and supporters who are mentioned by name later in this programme, and to many individuals and businesses who have given financial or in-kind support; please support them in return!
It has been a joy to work with Georgia Rondos on the artistic development of The Nutcracker & The Girl With The Shell, and as the ballet continues to evolve Georgia’s help will continue to be an invaluable source of inspiration. It has also been inspiring to work with Liam Caines via phone, email and Skype on the creation of Uncle Knight; we look forward to exploring technological possibilities for further collaborations. Sincere thanks also to Stephanie Grace and Karen Galbraith for generously contributing to their special roles.
And last but certainly not least, thank you to the many wonderful artists who, unknowingly, have inspired every nook and cranny of this ballet. The abundance of artistic activity in Saint John assures us that new life will be breathed into this ballet for years to come. We are fortunate to live in a city so rich with creativity and excellence, and the challenges that we face as a city may be the very things that inspire our imagination, perseverance, and collaboration; in the arts community, the medical community, and in day to day life. Special thanks to Stephen and Pamela Ring for allowing us to use Fred Ross’ beautiful image on our poster, and to Fred; your inspiration, support, and friendship through the years has been invaluable. I can only hope that our Nutcracker will reflect the timeless, universal beauty of your Girl With Shell.
Thank you for coming to the show, we hope to see you again next year!
Andrea Scott
Artistic Director, Port City Dance Academy
Tuesday, December 6
Do not miss Winterfest - Danceworks 4
a show of contemporary dance
Thur Dec 29 6pm & 7:30pm
Tuesday, November 29
Basic hard work, but looking good...
Tuesday, November 22
We just hosted the National Ballet School auditions and open classes. Six teachers from Saint John and Moncton (one student teacher) participated in a special workshop for teachers. Now we're inspired to give everyone beautiful arms for christmas, by helping our students develop their "dance backs".
Tuesday, November 15
Two photos and a little video clip to celebrate National Child Day...
Tuesday, November 8
FOR THE FREEDOM TO DANCE
AND TO CREATE WITHOUT FEAR,
AS AN EXPRESSION OF THANKS
TODAY WE POST THIS LINK
IN HONOUR OF THOSE WHO SERVED
AND THOSE WHO SERVE.
ASK ALICE: Choreography by GEORGIA RONDOS. Performed by Amanda LaRusic in dancing bodies & Rondos Out of Proportion in August 2011.
Tuesday, November 1
As a follow up to the written instalment from last week, here is a video clip of...
The Blue Madonna in progress.
Produced by Georgia Rondos & Andrea Scott
Check it out ~
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011
Our panel has been disussing the developing role of The Blue Madonna in our upcoming shows of The Nutcracker & The Girl With The Shell.
One of her many inspirations is Alexandra Flood's Blue Madonna.
"I brought with me a ‘mataki’ for your niece but I never gave it to her... The mataki is usually pinned to babies clothes to protect them when the mother isn’t there to protect them... My mother was one of the few women that knew how to take the bad spirits away. I used to make fun of her, she never told me what she said or who taught her but she always used something that the person wore... There is something spiritual about the mataki, I’ve always loved what it represented and how it looks and it’s blue the colour of water and sky."
It was once believed that water faeries called Kaboutermannekes dwelt in the figureheads. They guarded the ship from sickness, rocks, storms, and dangerous winds, and if the ship sank they guided the sailors' souls to the Land of the Dead.
"She's both mother and daughter at the same time, if that makes any sense... The Blue Madonna is not a 'character', she's more of an entity, or maybe the quintessential mother - with undying, boundless love and also fierce protector."
Water sprites were human females with skins the colour of the sea. They could breathe both water and air, and could therefore live in water and on land. They were thought to be harmless, if only people left them alone.
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
Inspiration for the Gummyfish costume.
Produced by Georgia Rondos
Check it out ~
Tuesday, October 10, 2011
A tiny model of our new Nutcracket set!
Produced by Georgia Rondos
Check it out ~
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Why did you start to dance?
Discussion panel: Karen Galbraith, Stephanie Grace, Georgia Rondos, Andrea Scott, and New Student After Very First Class
Produced by Georgia Rondos
Check it out ~
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Dance as entertainment VS. Dance as performing art
Discussion panel: Georgia Rondos & Andrea Scott with Monet, Kleis, and Gina
Produced by Karen Galbraith
Check it out ~
