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A review by Gwen Gray As dance companies look for innovative ways to reach new audiences, two approaches seem to be gaining traction in today’s dance landscape: collaboration and relevant storytelling. Ballet Ariel’s Sunday evening production at the Lakewood Cultural Center fell smartly in line with these strategies during the program’s two original ballets: Ilena […]

By Marc Shulgold Well, the leaves have finally turned, which means that fall is finally upon us, bringing a bevy of performing arts events. Here’s a sampling of programs that proudly embrace the unusual, the unexpected, the uncompromising. In other words, typical Tier III stuff. PHAMALy Theatre Company I hear the same reaction from audience members all the time,” […]

A Review of The Birth of Rock and Roll by Robin McNeil  Thursday evening, August 8, I attended a performance at the Arvada Center Amphitheater given by the Ballet Ariel with the music provided by the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra. This was a different ballet performance in that it depicted the history of pop music and […]

By Gwen Gray Remember back in the ’90s when the swing revival hit Denver, and (eh-hem) some of us went around quoting the movie “Swingers?” We dragged our husbands to vintage-y nightclubs to learn how to “pretzel,” and hummed Brian Setzer Orchestra songs. I doubt many of us spent much time pondering the true historical […]

A preview by Robin McNeil The Hannah Kahn Dance Company will present “Thrum and Other Dances” at the Denver School of the Arts –  Schomp Theater located at 7111 Montview Blvd. Denver, CO 80220, on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4, 2013 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $22 for adults and $18 for students, […]

By Marc Shulgold Talk about strange bedfellows—Classical ballet and classic rock. Imagine Elvis crooning, “You can do anything but lay off of my pink point shoes.” But then, the Joffrey has danced to Prince songs, Twyla Tharp’s Deuce Coupe enjoys a Beach Boys soundtrack. Locally, Ballet Nouveau Colorado has danced to Queen, among others. So […]

A preview by Marc Shugold Long ago, young Juliet struggled with her dangerous affections for the love-struck Romeo. “What’s in a name?” she pondered. James Wallace and Gregory Dawson can relate. Wallace, as is well-known to attentive dance fans in these parts, had become a star with the David Taylor Dance Theatre since joining in […]

By Theresa Anderson   Denver Architectural Foundation Doors Open Denver is one of Denver Architectural Foundation’s most popular events that support the organization’s dual purpose to increase awareness and appreciation for the impact of architecture on quality of life. Doors Open Denver is an annual event, but creates year-round discussion through related educational programming, conferences, and […]

HOLIDAY DANCING — ‘NUTCRACKERS’ AND MORE! by Marc Shulgold It’s impossible to escape The Nutcracker this time of year. And why would anyone want to? For parents, it’s a cha­nce to dress up and bring the kids into the exciting world of the performing arts. For ballet troupes big and small, this enduring classic offers a chance […]