Ranting Details

YEEEE-HAAAAW!

On my way to bed so this is going to be just a few pictures from my first show of the season today, "Rodeo." Always enjoyable to get out there and gallop around on my imaginary horse named Bobo. No words of wisdom here, just good ole' insanity in the pics. Must sleep because tomorrow I'm gonna start a war. Then I am going to battle in it as the weathered old soldier that I am at my withered age of 20. It's real life folks....or "The Green Table," which is alarmingly relevant today, come check it out!

Julio and I rock the authentic cowboy outfits. Having grown up in Montana, I can attest to the fact that any pictures I see of authentic cowboys have them rocking the purple and blue shirts with pink jeans. That whole acid trippy Easter Basket look was HUGE in the 1800's.

Charlie, I mean, Sascha shows off his best blog face. Check out SASCHA'S NEW MOVIE!I sense a Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in the near future.

I have nothing to say about this. It kind of speaks for itself.

My Brain Is Snowed In. Pun Intended.

Let me just get the problem right out in the open; I am having a hard time not being too literal with the music. Perhaps that sounds a bit strange but let me attempt to explain.

I am in the midst my preparatory thoughts of creating the Snow Pas de Deux for my friend Jackie and I and its proving to be a bit difficult. My first instincts are to follow the music like a grid but what I really want to accomplish is the creation of another melody through the dancing. I don’t want to BE the music I want to react to, and have the music react to, my movements. As I begin to create, sometimes I cannot tell whether or not I am creating my own melodies or not because the steps merge with a music in a way that they all become one. Sitting here listening to the mystical Tchaikovsky music over and over again has a bit of a dizzying effect, not unlike a snow flurry!

For inspiration tonight I have been watching Balanchine’s “Jewels.” This is something I am very hesitant to do but journeying to this new world of partnering choreography is forcing me to reach out for any flickers of inspiration I can get. While reading my de Kooning book I came across this quote that discusses the subject of finding inspiration from other artists. “Everything is already in art, like a big bowl of soup, and you just stick your hand in, and find something for you. But it was already there, like a stew.” This book seems to be chock full of inspirations with every page turn.

It also brings to mind another quote by Stephen Sondheim, “The prettier the flower, the farther from the path.” I feel like I will be able to achieve something more if I don’t just follow the guidelines pulsing into my ears. It prompts understanding in people who choreograph without music, something I had once thought unfathomable.

I can’t even begin to describe my anticipation for making this Snow pas come together. I have always loved dancing with my friend Jackie but it is going to be a bit surreal dancing my own choreography with her. I just have to have patience with myself, something that seems to have jumped off the cliff in recent weeks.

The picture above has nothing to do with anything in this post. I’m too lazy to even try to tie it in! I just took it from the wings the other day and enjoy its movement.

The First City Center Story.

I don't know the reason, but I tend to photograph the same people over and over again. I jokingly refer to Adrienne as my "blog Muse" because what started as a joke during Met season has ended up carrying over to City Center. Of course it makes sense that the main people I photograph are the people that I hang around with most. In truth though, I despise Adrienne and we are planning to join the WWF (does that even still exist?) so we can create alter-egos and duel it out. Just kidding! Although that does kind of sound like fun.

Here is the first City Center story, lovingly titled "Brokeback Witch Doctor," starring Marian Butler, Adrienne Schulte and Blaine Hoven.

It was a bitter October morning that Marian "Boot Straps" Butler woke up and thought...."Screw being a butcher! I am going to be a cowgirl!"

To which her husband Blaine replied, "Honey, I am way ahead of you. Have you seen these new Prada boots I'm wearing? They're all the rage." Marian just smiled with discontent because deep in her heart she knew.....

He was cavorting with that ranch hand (which she had hired months ago in case she decided to give up being a butcher) and they had been "waltzing" in the barn for months!

It was at that exact moment that the ladies of the town were shuffling by....

Adrienne couldn't keep her mouth shut and said, "Have you heard about poor old Blaine? He didn't realize but...."

"Marian is a witch doctor!"

When she found out about his Rodeo "waltzing" she Wizard of Oz-ed the shoes and then did what she does to all her husbands who "waltz" behind her back.

She cut off his head, and turned it into an art project by pasting some old hair on it and painting it. That witch doctor is so creative! Just beware or you too will turn into a paper mache head!!!!! It's a fate that we all must try to avoid.

Creepiest. Thing. Ever.

I just got back from the theater and along with more comments on the debate going on over the post below, I had this video in my inbox. This is something that has been floating around for a little over a year now but it never ceases to stun and scare me. It has a way of inducing horror and excitement all at once, kind of like Liza Minnelli. Now, what I am about to say has NOTHING to do with the little girl in the video because she's young and yada yada yada, but.....it basically sums up what I think is wrong with dance in this country. I personally am not a fan of dance competitions and the fact that this girl is dancing like a 30 year old Jon Benet (and is 9) is reason enough for her parents to be taken on Maury for child abuse. Okay, I'm exaggerating. Just watch for yourself. I think she does 11 pirouettes and one point. The one lesson I have learned from this is that I will immediately be calling to get myself a platform with my name spelled out in sparkly letters. You know, just to dance on in my apartment.

EXTRA! EXTRA!! "Blog Superstar Returns from World Tour (aka rehab) To Take Back The Spotlight!"

There she is ladies and gentlemen, in all her pre-class glory.

You may remember Adrienne from THIS, one of many blog photo shoots from Met Season. After making her blog debut over the summer, Adrienne was bombarded by the press and paparazzi at every turn. They wanted to know what she drinks (gin....all the time), who she is married to (countless men), and where she sleeps (occasionally on the street but usually in a car.) BASICALLY EVERY DETAIL WAS UNCOVERED!

"Ranting Details" made her a star and she is above all things a loyal person. When I called her press agent the other day I got an immediate "YES!" when requesting to begin our artistic collaboration again. As Adrienne so bravely put it "Yes, i am a fragile girl. This is true. But i have searched deep down inside and found new strength. Or at least some new costumes and hairdo's. I believe i am ready..." The words of a champion. The question is whether or not YOU are ready (for this jelly....sorry "Bootylicious" just came into my head.) You've been warned.

de Kooning Goes To City Center.

We have gone from rehearsal (above) to theater (below) in, what seems like, record time. As I walked into City Center today I couldn’t believe that it was already here again. Sometimes life really does speed by, and as quick as this rehearsal period has been, the past year has flown by just as rapidly.

With my arrival at the theater today I was struck by a certain uneven mood. I cannot help but be a little bit frustrated with the fact that I am not going to be performing anything new this year. I will be repeating my roles in “Rodeo” and “The Green Table” (a personal favorite and BRILLIANT ballet) but I am feeling a bit stuck with my own dancing at the moment. Self-disappointment is the hardest to handle at times and I am struck by this affliction at the moment. As troubled as this post may seem, I assure you that is not entirely the case. I am feeling incredibly inspired at the moment by this brilliant biography of Willem de Kooning that I have recently picked up again.

Aside from learning all about the 20’s and 30’s in New York, it is proving to be a fascinating account of what makes an artist. Right now I am reading about the period in his life where he is making the conscious choice to give himself entirely to his art. A young man in the city struggling to find his own voice, I can’t help but find similarities in our stories. Rather than wallow in the Depression, as the rest of the city seems to be forced to do, he finds the hope and artistic inspiration stemming from all around him. He always stays true to himself even though he isn’t quite sure who that is yet.

De Kooning realized that it was about constantly questioning everything around you. Life and art were constantly shifting and therefore so did your viewpoint on things. As much change and activity as there is in the present, it is okay to embrace the past. By constantly acknowledging your influences, whether in art or in life, you are stepping away from the fear you have of not living up to them. It is better to admit the power of genius and move on rather than become afraid of not living up to it and stifle yourself. It brings to mind a quote used in the book…as T.S. Eliot puts it, “Immature poets imitate; mature poets steal.”

Channeling all of these questions, fears, disappointments, etc. into art is what it is all about. At the moment I am having a “de Kooning-esque” doubt of whether or not I am really an artist. My friend Jackie and I were discussing recently how it is easy to feel a bit like an automaton in a ballet company. I realize though that that is a choice and not requirement. The rigidity of classical ballet is still malleable as much as it may not seem so. I look forward to going out and dancing the role of Old Soldier in “Green Table” and completely investing myself in every detail. As always, I cannot wait to watch my fellow artists and all of the ballets that the season has to offer.

(The girls strut their stuff late at night on the first day at the theater.)

Essentially we both create and are created by the world around us. I am choosing to create the world I desire. Over the next three weeks my goal is to develop and find music to create my first ballet to. I have the seeds of an idea that I am extremely excited about but haven’t quite found the perfect music yet. Sometimes I just need to vent a little bit but right now I am feeling exhilarated by the admittance of my disappointment which can now allow me to move on with my business. You do what you gotta do. If anyone has made it this far into this truly RANTING blog, I applaud you. It’s getting a little self- indulgent today. Oh well, once in a while! Another thing that needs to happen once in a while (or all the time) is Sufjan Stevens. Here’s a song that just makes me happy happy happy. “The Henney Buggy Band.”

Sunday. Soho. Shortbus.

(Jackie Chills with Julias the Monkey on the street. Just a normal day in NYC.)






It happened again. As much as I decided I was over Soho, yesterday I journeyed out of my apartment and like a lazy magnet just ended up there. Lots of romping around and shopping seeing as I find any change of season an adequate excuse to throw out excessive amounts of money on new clothes. The true highlight of the day was seeing the brilliant new movie “Shortbus.”

Whenever I am pressed to answer the “what’s your favorite movie” question, I always stutter thinking for an answer. One movie always pops into my head though and that is “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Finally the creator of that masterpiece is back with a new movie “Shortbus,” which is an ode to sexuality and New York City.

First things first, this is the most graphic movie you will probably ever see in the theater. The sex is all real and everything is shown, which amazingly never seems pornographic. John Cameron Mitchell has done an incredible job at making the sex stem from the characters wants and needs. Immediately you are invested in these people and the dialogue always seems realistic. There are no “did you call for a pizza” porn scenarios here, but the sex all comes across as both sexy and liberating. The whole movie seems to represent the idea of sex as a liberation of your senses that allows you to really exist in the world you trudge around in.

At times the movie is hilarious, at times you want to cry, but at all times it was completely engrossing. It brings up interesting ideas of existence in general but never seems preachy. That is mirrored by the fact that the shocking sex never seems unnecessary. It acts as a perfect “fuck you” to the Bush Administration’s never ending reign on censorship; something John Cameron Mitchell has expressed as one of the movie’s purposes. I cannot praise this movie enough, but don’t want to over-hype it too much. Go and see it for yourself and sit down with an open mind.

On the way back home from the theater my friends and I stumbled over to the closing of CBGB’s. I won’t pretend like I had any personal connection to the club but even I find it sad that it is closing. We came back to my place and honored it in our own way, by blasting some Blondie.

(My poser shot of New York Landmark CBGB closing down.)

‘Push’ing My Opinion Around.

Reputation is a tricky thing. On one hand, having one means that there are expectations (whether good or bad) and an obvious buzz surrounding your presence. On the other hand it means that there are high standards to live up to. Sitting in the audience at City Center last night it was obvious that people were waiting with electrifying excitement for the chance to watch Sylvie Guillem in action. She has a reputation in the ballet world as being an otherworldly creature and a true artist in every sense of the word.

From the moment the curtain went up it was obvious, as if everyone didn’t already know, that this reputation was well deserved. Even from my seat in the back of the balcony her presence was radiant and mesmerizing even when doing the simplest movements. She possesses a control over her body unlike anyone I have ever seen with each arm and leg extension transfixing your eye. Gasps of shock arrived from the stunned audience the moment she lifted her leg.

It takes a true star to command an evening worth of works and in my opinion this evening had three. While the unrivaled star was inarguably Ms. Guillem, her choreographer and partner Russell Maliphant more than held his own next to the elongated goddess and in his own solo. The third star of the evening, and my biggest source of frustration/excitement, was the lighting. Each piece is a showcase for the production values and the dancing but sometimes the balance felt uneven to me. When lighting plays such an important part in the evening it begins to feel a little bit gimmicky to me. If the choreography cannot match the brilliance of the lighting I tend to get frustrated. I think this was also because the pieces tended to drag on a few minutes too long for my taste. Instead of leaving the audience wanting more, as they would have after a brief encounter, the first two solos (one for both Guillem and Maliphant) seemed a little overindulgent. It is an exciting idea to use something completely inhuman (i.e. lighting) as a key partner within the work but it just didn’t seem to live up to the reputation set by Ms. Guillem.

(The medical condition known as "Sylvie Shock" includes drooling and bug eyes.)

I really do admire her for coming to the city and doing something as unexpected as this. Part of the fun of having a reputation is to surprise people with transformation. In her second solo where she stays glued within the center of a square of light, she became a goddess of contortion and control; dripping like syrup one moment and sweeping her arms in a frenzied vortex of energy the next. Everyone was completely spellbound.

The final piece was the first time they shared the stage together. It contained some of the most effortless partnering that I have ever seen. As they swept each other across the space they were creating a horizon of shapes that rolled and cut through the air. Yet somehow there was still something missing for me.

Even as I write this I feel unable to really articulate my thoughts. Reminiscent of the way I felt after seeing the new Twyla show, I feel people are afraid NOT to like “Push.” As much as I admire someone like Twyla or Sylvie, it doesn’t mean that everything they do is brilliant. Reputation has a way of shaping people’s opinions and in this case I feel like people are unable to separate the work from the workers. It’s difficult being in the minority with something like this when I am at work trying to explain my reasons for NOT being blown away. Of course by aspects of it I was but the sum of the brilliant parts didn’t add up to a complete whole for me. Feeling a bit crazy now…time to relax for the weekend!

I Need A Nap. Just like "Little Children."

I think the entire company is in a pre-City Center stupor right now. As the season begins to call our names, rehearsals are going full swing and leaving everyone exhausted. Walking myself home at night seems like a chore usually resulting in me sitting on the couch and doing no actual chores. Tonight I decided I needed a little change of pace so I went for solo movie night at the Angelika to see “Little Children.”

This is a movie that I was eagerly anticipating and it lived up to some of my expecations but not all. I have always wished that “Desperate Housewives” had a little more substance and were put on a network like HBO because I feel that suburban life is something that fascinates all of us. “American Beauty” dove into the underbelly of it beautifully and this movie attempts to take a similar path. It has the same sort of comedic and dramatic moments like “Desperate Housewives” but unlike that ball of fluff (my guilty pleasure) it dives into the minds of its characters.

All of the actors in the movie are brilliant which should come as no surprise. Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly and Kate Winslet have all done such consistently good work and they continue that reputation here. This movie (like “Half Nelson”) takes a decidedly slower pace in building its characters which makes the payoff that much more exciting. By the time Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson have sex, the audience was on the edge of their seats knowing it HAD to happen soon. Don’t worry I didn’t ruin anything, you know that from the preview.

Sometimes I feel that in the creation of things people just try to hard. I know for myself when I work on writing or choreography sometimes I just attempt to “say” too much instead of relying on simplicity. I think this movie suffered a little bit from reaching too high with a few side story lines that didn’t really add up for me. However I really do recommend it because it is an interesting look at the desire to really “live” life and not just be complacent. Sometimes in the search for something more you are ignoring the wonderful life that you are already living. On that note, I need to stop living life for a few minutes and just sleep!

Don’t Know Why…

Let me explain this little chain of events. Tonight's laundry night and before I sit down to read my book I decided to check my email. I had a link from my dad of the girls in Montana working on my Snow choreography which got me excited. This excitement prompted me to think about Mark Morris' "The Hard Nut" and it's brilliant Snow Scene which I then journeyed to YouTube to find. I typed in Mark Morris and this came up, in all its priceless glory. It has been way too long since I have seen this, and I share it now with you.