New York Notebook

She Wore Capezios

Ever wonder why your first pointe shoes were labeled “Pavlowa”? The iconic ballerina bought Capezios for herself and her company on its first tour to the States. This month Capezio celebrates 125 years since Salvatore Capezio, an Italian immigrant, opened his shop near the Metropolitan Opera House in midtown Manhattan. Now much more than a cobbler, Capezio produces oodles of dance products and bestows a yearly award—this time going to Tommy Tune. Performers include Desmond Richardson, Rasta Thomas, and dancers from ABT, NYCB, and Rock Steady Crew. A special anniversary award goes to Nigel Lythgoe and his Dizzy Feet Foundation. City Center, April 23.  www.nycitycenter.org. —Wendy Perron

 

Anna Pavlova, circa 1920s. Photo from the DM Archives from the L. Rosen Collection.

 

 

Latest Kylián Touch

This month brings a rare opportunity to see a recent Jirí Kylián work. The choreographer’s Chekhov-influenced Last Touch First was made in collaboration with dancer Michael Schumacher. Betsy Gregory, who produced it at Dance Umbrella in London in 2009, says this: “It’s a fabulous piece and it made a big impact. I expected it to sell out, which it did. But what I didn’t expect was the level of concentration and enthusiasm from the audience. Sitting through an hour of slow motion is challenging, so the programming had its risks. However it was a satisfying risk.” Critic Judith Mackrell wrote that Last Touch First “suggests a world of ghosts and memories.” At the Joyce, April 10–15.  www.joyce.org. —W. P.

 

Nederlands Dans Theater performs
Last Touch First. Photo by Robert Benschop, Courtesy NDT.

 

 

Roots & Branches

Burkina Faso’s Souleymane Badolo and Brooklyn’s Reggie Wilson approach choreography from very different angles, but both ground their innovative contemporary movement in the roots and branches of the African diaspora. E-Moves—Harlem Stage’s dance commissioning and mentoring program—has paired the two, with Wilson as mentor. The result is Badolo’s 45-minute solo, Buudou, BADOO, BADOLO, inspired by his great-great-grandfather’s love of history, culture, and nature, and the dancer’s desire to pass these treasures on to his own son. E-Moves also presents works by Sheetal Gandhi and other “emerging and evolving” dancemakers, beginning April 20.  www.harlemstage.org. —Eva Yaa Asantewaa

 

Souleymane Badolo. Photo by Julieta Cervantes, Courtesy E-Moves.