Free programmes - NYPL Spring '20

[Bruce Wall]

Thought this might interest some members as there were (as usual) a goodly number of ballet-centric items.  This was kindly listed on another Forum.  These are the FREE programmes at the New York Public Library, Lincoln Center for Spring 2020.  (There have been, of course, decades of such at this library.)  Wouldn't it be grand if, say, the/a local Covent Garden Library were to run similar free incentives for the greater edification of all.  All, of course, in addition to/support of the ROH Insights and the wonderful work of the BA, the LBC, the RBS, the RAD, the Ashton Foundation and other such notable institutions.  

 

Spring 2020 Dance Programs at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

 

All events are free and take place at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, located at 40 Lincoln Center Plaza. Advance registration may be recommended for some events. Please visit nypl.org/lpa for more details. 

 

Conversations
Advance registration required
 

Land Of Happiness: A Journey Into The Dances Of Bhutan with Karen Greenspan

MON, MARCH 16 | 6 PM

Karen Greenspan, author of Land Of Happiness: A Journey Into The Dances Of Bhutan, offers an insightful tour of the Dance Division’s extensive footage of Bhutanese dance, filmed by Core of Culture.

 

An Evening with Alexei Ratmansky and Myles Thatcher

THURS, APRIL 30 | 6 PM

Classical ballet is not frozen in the past but is a living, evolving art – this conviction provided a shared faith for mentor Alexei Ratmansky and protégé Myles Thatcher. After working together through Rolex’s Mentor and Protege program, Ratmansky and Thatcher come to the Library to talk about the living art of dance.

 

An Introduction to the George Balanchine Foundation Video Archives

THURS, MAY 21 | 6 PM

For 20 years, the George Balanchine Foundation’s Interpreters Archive has recorded the creators of important Balanchine roles, as they teach and coach the roles with dancers today. Join us for a celebration of the Balanchine Foundation "Interpreters Archive," with rarely seen clips of coaching sessions, and testimonials from great dancers, past and present.  

 

Willa Kim: Made in New York

THURS, JUNE 4 | 6 PM

Bobbi Owen, curator of the Library's new exhibition The Wondrous Willa Kim: Costume Designs for Actors and Dancers, presents a close examination of Willa Kim’s costumes in motion. See Kim’s innovative designs captured in performance footage from Will Rogers Follies, Elliot Feld’s Variations on America and Paper Tiger, plus other works preserved in the Library’s theatre and dance moving image archives.

 

The NYPL Dance Division and the Queer Quotient

THURS, JUNE 25 | 6 PM

How is dance history a form of queer history? In what ways is the Dance Division of The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts an archive of LGBTQIA+ lives and experiences? In connection with Pride Month at NYPL, dance scholar Paul A. Scolieri explores responses to the above questions focusing on the research for his recent biography of Ted Shawn.

Dance Rewind
The Jerome Robbins Dance Division has an ongoing documentation program dedicated to the recording of live dance performance and dance-related events and panels. This series highlights a selection of these films and videos, which date back to 1967. Dance Division staff will introduce each program, which will range from 60-90 minutes each. 

 

WED, MARCH 11 @ 1 PM

Suzanne Farrell at New York City Ballet

Two films featuring Suzanne Farrell: Chaconne filmed in 1976, and Union Jack filmed in 1977. Please note both are rehearsals, in practice clothes, with piano accompaniment.

 

WED, APRIL 8 @ 1 PM

Paul Taylor Dance Company

Two works by Paul Taylor: Nightshade and Dust, filmed in 1976 and featuring company members Elie Chaib, Carolyn Adams, Christopher Gillis, Lila York, and David Parsons.

 

WED, MAY 13 @ 1 PM

Anthony Tudor Works at American Ballet Theater

Two filmed rehearsals of ballets by Antony Tudor: Jardin Aux Lilas recorded in 1972, and The Leaves are Fading from 1975 which features the original cast including Gelsey Kirkland, Cynthia Harvey, and Jonas Kage.

 

WED, JUNE 10 @ 1 PM

Le Ballet National du Sénégal

Traditional dances from Senegal recorded in 1995 at the Zellerbach Auditorium, Berkeley, California.

David Vaughan's The Dance Historian Is In
David Vaughan was the archivist of the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and author of Merce Cunningham/65 Years and Frederick Ashton and His Ballets. From 2012 until his death in 2017, Vaughan held monthly screenings of his favorite dance films and videos from our collection. The Dance Division continues this series in his honor with guest hosts.

Advance reservations required.

 

WED, MARCH 25 @ 1 PM

Tony Waag

Founder of the American Tap Dance Foundation and Tap City, the annual New York City Tap Festival, Tony Waag is an international ambassador of the form, receiving the Dance Magazine Award in 2014 for his countless contributions. He will screen some clips from his vast Tap City archive.

 

WED, APRIL 29 @ 1 PM

Dean Moss

Mercurial and reclusive, the award-winning interdisciplinary choreographer, video artist, curator, and lecturer Dean Moss will screen and contextualize his acclaimed work Kisaeng becomes you with guest scholar Maura Donohue.

 

WED, MAY 27 @ 1 PM

Melissa Toogood

Bessie award-winning performer Melissa Toogood will show footage from her time dancing in the Merce Cunningham Dance Company and with Pam Tanowitz Dance.

 

WED, JUNE 24 @ 1 PM

Sachiyo Ito

Choreographer, educator, performer, and compelling ambassador for Japanese arts and culture, Sachiyo Ito has embodied the beauty and grace of Japanese classical dance to American audiences for the last 48 years. She will screen her Kabuki dances and choreographed works inspired by the Japanese traditions.

Edited March 9, 2020 by Bruce Wall

[Sim]

Thanks Bruce.  Some fascinating stuff in there!

[Bruce Wall]

Interesting - having just posted the NYPL-Lincoln Center item - I just now received what I thought to be a very respectful and well thought through notice; albeit one actually only effecting three items - assuming no extension needs to be taken given the entirely understandable circumstances.  I applaud Mr. Reidy's overarching concern for his staff/charges and prudence: - 

 

As a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and support the City's efforts to promote social distancing, the Library for the Performing Arts has suspended all programming and events at our location through March 31. At this time, our location remains open during our regular hours.

Please know that this was not an easy decision for us to make since we know how important our programs are to our patrons. However, out of an abundance of caution, we feel that this is the best way that the Library for the Performing Arts can support the City’s efforts to discourage crowds and encourage social distancing during this challenging time.

As we receive new information, we will continue to update you on our website. We are closely monitoring the situation and are working with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to ensure that we are following all recommended practices and are supporting the health and wellness of both our staff and our patrons.

Please use the resources on our website or reach out to Ask NYPL with any questions.

Thank you,

Brent Reidy
Interim Executive Director
Library for the Performing Arts

Edited March 10, 2020 by Bruce Wall