January 27, 2024—If there were any doubts that incoming Artistic Director Tamara Rojo would shake up San Francisco Ballet, they were dispelled at the War Memorial Opera House last night with the world premiere of Aszure Barton's idiosyncratic Mere Mortals. The first performance of Rojo's first programmed season, Rojo has combined Barton's...
January 13, 2024—Contemporary dance company ODC announced yesterday that founder, Artistic Director, and choreographer Brenda Way will be honored next month with induction into the California Hall of Fame. Way was chosen by Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom for her achievements in the arts.
January 13, 2024—San Francisco Ballet yesterday announced that popular principal dancer Yuan Yuan Tan will leave the company following next month's performance of Sir Frederick Ashton's Marguerite and Armand. On January 24 she will dance at the company's Opening Night Gala with former SF Ballet Principal Dancer Tiit Helimets in a selection from...
For thirty years Smuin Contemporary Ballet's The Christmas Ballet has stood out among the many local annual holiday dance performances for its clever formula of dividing the performance into traditional and comedic acts: The Classical Christmas of Act 1 and The Cool Christmas of Act 2. Last night's Yerba Buena Center opening continued this...
December 14, 2023—San Francisco Ballet opened its annual Nutcracker last night to a packed and enthusiastic audience at the War Memorial Opera House. This current production is the Helgi Tomasson version that dates to 2004. Much has been unchanged over the years, yet audiences keep coming back. San Francisco Ballet's Nutcracker has continued to...
September 22, 2023—Neoclassical ballet, country-western, and salsa have launched Smuin Ballet's 30th season with a rush. The highlight of this season's Dance Series 1, now at Mountain View, Performing Arts Center, is the world premiere of Salsa 'til Dawn by Darrell Grand Moultrie set to a score by celebrated composer Charles Fox.
July 26, 2023—Smuin Contemporary Ballet has announced that Artistic Director Celia Fushille will be leaving the position at the end of next season, the company's 30th as well as Fushille's 30th year with the company. Taking her place will be Amy Seiwert, formerly of Amy Seiwert's Imagery, who is due to start as Smuin's new Associate Artistic...
July 22, 2023—When talking about her work, choreographer Alyssa Mitchel becomes animated, conveying her thoughts with rapid gestures and facial expressions. So, it may seem surprising that her latest work is based on heady philosophical constructs instead of her usual themes of personal experience, but it exemplifies how she expresses her thoughts...
July 4, 2023—After fourteen years at the helm of Amy Seiwert's Imagery, Amy Seiwert has decided it's time to come home to Smuin. Her experience includes positions as Artistic Director of Sacramento Ballet and Artist in Residence at ODC Theater. Her choreography is in the repertory of numerous dance companies around the country. But Smuin is more...