BACK IN THE ‘BURGH. In case you haven’t been reading the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, I’ve been in Italy reporting on the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra in Zavattarello, Florence, Rome and more. After two weeks of being virtually danceless, I turned around and headed up to Chautauqua, where the North Carolina Dance Theater is in residence. Read about it in The Chauatauquan Daily.
DANCE FOR HEALTH. A few weeks ago Bodiography’s Maria Caruso traveled to Hollywood to attend the Donate Life Film Festival where the company’s resident choreographer, Daniel Urbanic, placed in the top three films at the festival for his work on “HEART: function vs. emotion.” To view the film, click on HEART. Maria has also announced Bodiography’s upcoming anniversary season, including Sept. 17, Fallingwater’s 75th Anniversary Celebration; Nov. 12- 13, Multiplicity, Kelly-Strayhorn Theater; Feb. 24-25, The Red Carpet Rollout – 10th Anniversary Celebration, Byham Theater; Mar. 16, La Roche College Presents Bodiography Ballet 2012 Spring Gala, Byham Theater; June 8-9, Ovrearts Presents “Alkenost” by Luke Mayernik and ”Infinity” by Blake Ragghianti with Bodiography, Byham Theater. The company will also perform at the Festival of Awareness at Virginia Wimberly Theater in Boston, Mass. on a date TBA.
DANIEL FROM DAYTON. Former Point Park University student Daniel Karasik took the time to touch
base with CrossCurrents about his current project in Dayton, Ohio. It seems that Dan is taking the bull by the horns by pulling together cutting edge dance, visual arts and media at Sinclair College’s Blair Hall Theatre Aug. 5 and 6. Called the Dayton Arts Project, it appears that there will be a considerable Point Park connection with Angela Dice, Aubrey Klinger and Ashley Sass as well. For more information click on Dayton or visit the Dayton Arts Project on Facebook.
ARANGETRAM. That means “ascending the stage as a solo performer for the first time.” Dara Premsirin Wilson, student of Nandini Mandal, did just that June 25 at the Bellefield Auditorium in Oakland. A junior at the University of Pittsburgh, Dara performed in the Bharatanatyam style, which is even more outstanding when you consider the fact that her mother is from Thailand and her father from America. As Nandini put it, “This is unity in diversity at its best.”
A NEW LOOK AT PBT. For those who attended Alan Obuzor’s Texture Contemporary Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre soloist Eva Trapp was sporting a smart new pixie haircut and was almost unrecognizable at first. But maybe that was because her dancing had taken on a terrific new definition as well.
