February Letters
February Letters
Quote of the Month: “When we accomplish something in the studio, we’re better able to deal with home issues. Dance can be the solution.” –Rockafella, “Passionate Partnerships,” p. 36
Bringing Sexy Back
I loved the November 2006 issue. David Parker’s “Renegades in Birthday Suits” was a great read. As a presenter, I’ve seen the audience respond to risqué work. Last year we presented a few companies from Europe, like Déj� Donné and Marta Ladjanszki, which include moments of nudity and shocking content. They were surprisingly hard to handle here in the Midwest. Parker was pretty sharp and I look forward to reading it again. I also loved “They Did What?!” The photos were slick and it was fun to learn about some moments in dance history I hadn’t known about previously. Thanks again for such a cool issue.
LISA FIRST
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LINK VOSTOK
MINNEAPOLIS, MN
Thank you for three “Vital Signs” in November: “Feel the Heat,” about the show Tango Fire that was featured on the cover; “Burlesque to Ballet,” about the beginning of Nevada Ballet Theatre; and “The Dancing Governor?” about Paul Noel Fiorino as ‘Dancing Paul.’ We need a dancing politician! Also, thank you for the photo of Zizi Jeanmaire in the “Sexiest Dancers” picks (“Letters”). She has been one of my favorite ballerinas since 1956.
DAVID MCCLOW
GRANDVILLE, MI
Cover It Up
The November issue of Dance Magazine did not make it into the Acton School of Ballet waiting room, due to the graphic photos and articles about sex and dance. Our school serves over 300 students. They consider your magazine a resource, and the issues are always dog-eared by the end of the month. We understand that you are attempting to stay current and we value your investigation of critical issues relating to dance. We would never advocate censorship or publication of prudish, watered down articles. Would you consider sending a letter of advisement to schools in the future, so that each can make a proactive judgment regarding whether the issue is appropriate for the eyes of young children?
MELISSA MORRIS
ADMINISTRATOR, ACTON SCHOOL OF BALLET
ACTON, MA
Dance Magazine replies:
Thank you for the suggestion. We will consider such an admonishment if we ever do a similar issue in the future.
Kudos on the lovely December cover. It really stands out after the November issue, which looked like another tasteless grocery check-out rag. Dance is (and has always been) about sex, by its very nature, and while the articles were interesting and well written, the tone of the cover diminished their value, in my opinion.
CAROL SHULTS
PORTLAND, OR
Long-Live Balanchine
Tony Rizzi of Frankfurt, Germany takes issue with Clive Barnes’ critique of William Forsythe (“Letters,” Dec.) but I believe Clive is right on the mark. Forsythe distorts the meaning of choreography and his scores are often excruciatingly painful to listen to. Rizzi notes that Balanchine is dead, but the master’s works continue to be admired the world over and in demand by the major companies. He definitely has something to say to dance audiences of the 21st century. If Germany is so enamored of Forsythe, then perhaps he should remain there.
ALAN WARREN
DOWNINGTOWN, PA
Dance Magazine replies: Keep in mind that Forsythe’s ballets are also in the repertoire of many major America ballet companies including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, San Francisco Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet.
