Last night, friends invited me to attend a perfomance of the Alonzo King Lines Ballet Company - it's "National Dance Month" and I was thrilled to be in the audience. I have never seen this troupe before.....but I intend to remedy that. They are a small company - only eight dancers but such power and beauty. Their presence fills the stage. Lighting and choreography were fantastic. The night was divided into two acts: Act 1 featured the ensemble plus four members of SF Opera's Adler Centre (a training program for upcoming singers) - who not only sang the music, accompanied only with a piano, but also danced! (And danced well!) Their songs varied from Lieder by Strauss, Schubert and Brahms to the Faure "Requiem". Act 2 switched gears and consisted of one piece entitled "Rasa". It featured Moroccan music by Zakir Hussain. The dance itself was passionate, at times primitive, at times tender and graceful.
After the performance, my friends and I dined at a nearby Spanish restaurant, where we had Tapas and Sangria....and a little live Flamenco music. Ole!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
This sounds like an enchanting evening. A modern shoeless ballet. (when you said ballet the other day I pictured up on the toes in ballet shoes sort of dancing). I have a friend on the Cape who, along w/her husband, were both part of the Pilobius (SP) Dance company which also, I think, was a small troupe out of NYCity. Your dinner out with Flamenco, all sound enlivening to the spirits.
ReplyDeleteYes, Suki is right, it all sounds enlivening to the spirits! xoxo
ReplyDeleteSounds fabulous!
ReplyDeleteHow lovely! it sounds like you really enjoyed every moment!
ReplyDeletei've not been to a ballet for years, i'm sure i would love it too.
xx lori
So perfect! now you are the one who is not going to believe this: I was cutting the lilies and I thought of you and your Mother and how lovely things can make a bond among people who have never shared more than words and sentiments across the ether, but who hope for a glass of wine or a cup of tea by the roses.
ReplyDeleteAny time you feel like coming up north, we no longer have a guest room but we have a big table, a good cellar and a nice garden and you are most certainly welcome. Hugs from here.
Suki - I thought of you while I was watching the dance....you would have loved it....the earthy "sexiness" of it - yet mingled with pristine moments of lovliness. There were a few movements when the women DID dance in the "traditional" shoes...
ReplyDeleteYou would have loved the dinner too - food and ambiance made an intersting counterpoint to the ballet. Wish you had been there!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
Anne, it WAS a stellar night... good company, good dancing, good food....
ReplyDeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
Nolly, I don't know you all that well yet - but I think you would have liked being in the audience watching this amazing company!
ReplyDeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
Lori ann, I hope one day soon, you get to attend a ballet again - either traditional or more modern. I hadn't been to one in a while either - and I forgot how powerful the dance form is....it speaks without words.... a lovely form of communication!
ReplyDeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
Allegra, I DO BELIEVE this.... feeling INSTANTLY connected to YOU - as I did Renee, KJ and Lo. Who can explain these things? But, it is a joy to me....and now, I will always think of you, too when I see our Lilies of the Valley and all purple-hued flowers.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for the invitation - and one day, I WILL venture North and you can show me your heavenly garden.
Sending big hugs right back, m' dear!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥
what a perfect evening. i love ballet, and specially swan lake, don't know why but i have probably seen seven versions of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you treat yourself to these magical performances! And the end of the night wrap-up sounds delightful. I'm glad you've discovered yet another "act" to follow :)
ReplyDeleteMy neighbor has an enormous lilac bush in full bloom. I think of you every time I pass by.
love,
Lo♥
Joss, I too, love Swan Lake! It and "Romeo and Juliet" are by far my favourites! I guess we are both romantics!
ReplyDeleteLove,
♥ Robin ♥
Lo, it HAS been nice to start going out again and doing things....little steps, right?
ReplyDeleteThat lilac bush must be heavenly.....
Have a wonderful time with KJ! I am green with envy!
Love,
♥ Robin ♥