I had the pleasure of seeing the New York premiere of choreographer Doug Elkins’ dance called Hapless Bizarre on Friday, January 9 at The Joyce Theater. I had seen his dance company at Jacob’s Pillow in 2012 when they performed Fräulein Maria, so I was expecting a bit of a romp. Thankfully, it was laugh-out-loud…
Author: victoriab • CurlyV
Designer | Artist | Writer | Blogger | Maker | Collector | Cultural Omnivore
Dyker Heights Holiday Lights
If you have never made it to the Dyker Heights neighborhood in Brooklyn to see the holiday lights, you really must go. You have to experience it to believe it. Dress warm, bring your camera, then eat Italian pastries nearby after. What’s not to like?
3rd Annual Park Slope Messiah Sing Along
On Thursday, December 11, 2014, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music and Congregation Beth Elohim co-hosted a community sing along of Handel’s Messiah. Many of Brooklyn’s wonderful choirs were well represented, as well as fellow Brooklynites from the community at large. The chamber orchestra and amazing soloists made for a wonderful singing experience. I can’t think…
Early Music New York
Last night, I attended A Dutch Christmas at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. It was presented by Early Music New York. I have seen this group perform several times and it is always a wonderful treat. To hear them perform in a beautiful, intimate cathedral chapel really transports me back in time. In…
Who Gets to Perform? The Ethics and Aesthetics of Social Practice
This was an excellent blog post by Simon Dove on BAM’s blog. I could not help but post a comment. You can see it all at this link: http://bam150years.blogspot.com/2014/12/who-gets-to-perform-ethics-and.html I have reposted my comment below: I was surprised and delighted to read this blog post. I am not a professional dancer, but in 2012 I…
The Etudes
The concept and simple, minimalist staging of Philip Glass’s Piano Etudes last night made for one of the most elegant and exciting evenings of music I have ever experienced. The row of ten piano benches along the back of the stage — each of them spotlighted and brought forward for each individual pianist, then replaced…
On Behalf of Nature
I have had a hard time making up my mind what to say about tonight’s performance. Interestingly, eekahil’s comment on the BAM blog helps me. I, too, have seen a number of Meredith Monk performances — at BAM and at Danspace Project. I am very familiar with her movement and vocal style, and consider myself…
Black Mountain Songs
Bryce Dessner, Richard Reed Parry and their fellow composers and musicians created a wonderful evening of music tonight, and it seems to me that the creativity and playful freedom of Black Mountain College really came through. I am always blown away by the talent of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. They tackle such difficult music and…
New York City Labor Chorus
My friend’s mom sings in this chorus and her mother gifted me with a ticket to their performance on Saturday, November 15, at the New York Society for Ethical Culture. The concert honored one of my personal heroes, Pete Seeger. I am a big fan of choruses. Singing with others creates community. Singing with others for…
Recycling Atlantis
I stopped by the 80WSE Gallery at NYU on Thursday, November 13, to experience Recycling Atlantis, a live exhibition in celebration of the artist, philosopher and educator Jack Smith. I arrived to find quite an exciting scene, and was glad I made the effort to come out on a rainy evening to be there. My…
From The Mouth of the Whale
“I think you should read it just for the experience.” — my father, regarding the novel, From the Mouth of the Whale by Icelandic author, Sjón
Oxbow
I always try to pick a few shows each Next Wave Festival that I know might be hit or miss. Oxbow by Ivy Baldwin was one such performance. There were moments that were hits: the wonderful set design of massive tree roots; the opportunity to be sitting so close to the dancers that you could hear…
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