Posts by Janice Steinberg
Balance, Beauty Captured by San Diego Dance Theater
San Diego Dance Theater’s show was titled “Capturing Balance,” and all three pieces, in particular a radiant premiere by Khamla Somphanh, involve searching for equilibrium … and often finding it elusive.
Read MoreDance Bonanza from Litvak, Malashock
We’re vaccinated. We’re masked. And we’re returning to theaters to see dance! Last week, I got to shows by two companies, Litvak Dance and Malashock Dance. Both featured work by multiple choreographers, making it a dance bonanza.
Read More“Ofrenda” a Day of the Dead Banquet
An ofrenda (offering) is an altar made to welcome departed family members on Day of the Dead. The welcome from “Ofrenda” was so spectacular, surely the nearly 3,000 living souls at the Rady Shell on Sunday were surrounded by legions of spirits, drawn to the heart-melting singing, thrilling percussive footwork, and parade of vivid costumes.
Read MoreA Feast of Choreographic Invention: City Ballet’s “On the Move”
I was mesmerized by the dancers’ wrists, which in all three pieces are often flexed at dramatic 90-degree angles, both up and down. In another arresting gesture, they hold their wrists crossed as if shackled. And that’s just some of the choreographic invention on display from City Ballet’s Geoff Gonzalez last Saturday.
Read MoreLitvak’s Dance and Setting Enchant
While it’s been thrilling to return to live performances, much of what I’ve seen had a sense of compromise. Happily, nothing felt second-best about Litvak Dance’s performance on August 28. Sadie Weinberg, who launched this North County company just three years ago, is a powerhouse networker. She recruited two guest choreographers to create work for the company: New York-based Rebecca Margolick, one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” this year; and Texas-based Joshua Manculich, who’s made dances for companies around the country.
Read MoreTrolley Dances 2021: Hits, Misses
Each of us has a personal geography of emerging from the pandemic, landmarks that tell us we’re coming home. One of my milestones was the Dance is in the Air festival at Liberty Station, which began May 21 and continues through Sunday. Another biggie—the return of Trolley Dances! Granted, there were changes. The home to which we’re returning, post-COVID, isn’t the same one we left.
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