It's JULY

It's JULY! The life of Jean of Arc at NOTRE-DAME de FOURVIERE in Lyon, France This Summer, SP and I are traveling a lot. Right now, SP is in Hamburg, this is his 4th time during his sabbatical. He set José Limón’s “Unsung” on Youth Ballet Company – Hamburg Ballet’s junior company. And also he is helping John Neumeier to re-create the work he was in originally when he was in the Hamburg Ballet. I have a picture of this work – well I think this is from a photo shoot. He is having a great time in Hamburg!!! and we are in Europe but not together so we connect with FaceTime(WhatsApp) The last newsletter, I mentioned that SP worked with Nagisa Tagawa, created contemporary solo on him. And he received a Grand Prix at ADCIIBC competition. Congratulations!!! SP is in back, WhatsApp, SP with Nagisa Dance On Ensemble As many of you know, I am dancing with this company. <The DANCE ON ENSEMBLE for dancers over 40, founded in Berlin in 2015, shows that there is another way and that everyone wins: dancers, dance and society. Experienced dancers have the ability to tap into the mental and emotional depths of choreographic material. They are present with their entire lived experience. And their physical intelligence and charisma bring a new dimension to the performance that can increase the audience’s enjoyment of a piece.> I love this company and all dancers in this group. And I am learning a lot. We had performances of Christos Papadopoulos, Greek choreographer’s work “Mellowing” in San Sebastian(Spain) and Paris(France). 　　 　Stage photos by Jubal Battisti We have been traveling a lot with this work. Many years ago I came to San Sebastian with Graham Company. This time SP joined me. Friends who moved to Nice last Summer came to join us in Paris, and we met Tancredo(we danced together in Graham), Makoto and Robert. Makoto was a dancer who helped me a lot when I move to NY. He lived at the Chelsmore Apartment and when I moved in, he taught me many things including cooking! And now he lives in Paris!! I visited them few times in the past, Robert knows history and they took us to the restaurant where Gertrude Stein, Picasso and other artists hang out!!! Paris is still one of my favorite city!!! In Paris, we went to Symphonie to see Víkingur Ólafsson perform. SP was the director of mentoring at the Juilliard where Víkingur was there on MFA and SP was his mentor. Now he is a most celebrated pianist whose touch is so sensitive and warm. I really love his performance. He received Grammy award on his Bach's Goldberg Variation. TENERIFE I went to Sant Cruz de Tenerife November 2023, I danced Martha’s Deep Song at the TEA museum where Javier curates, then SP joined me to have small vacation. Small island but there are 4 seasons, and not too hot( it was hot but not like 40C-110F). Close to Africa, this is the closest to Africa that I have been. One day to visit Africa. And With Dance On Ensemble, we performed this huge/beautiful theater! We saw an Opera production of Manon in 2023, and I have never imagined that I will be perform here. Amazing place. And this time, we saw Javier performed his work. He made this work, costume and sound design. Very talented and special artist!! NYC We went to see many performances in NYC. Every time, we will see some friends. It is so nice to reconnect with them!!! 1:Riley Watts, Jacqulyn Buglisi and SP 2:Former students now beautiful friends 3: Javon Jackson at Village Vanguard Riley Watts and Brigel Gjoka developed Forsyth's DUO into a beautiful work on 14 dancers. Many for former students are now our friends. It is so nice to see them - beautiful human beings!!! And our friend Javon Jackson's Village Vanguard concert was amazing. I lived on 15th Street on 7th Ave and remember this jazz club. Very special place. Many famous Jazz recordings were recorded here! Taylor West is the new home for Paul Taylor Dance Company and school. I taught basic Graham technique class. One dancer told me "I thought Graham was painful, but your approach is organic". Well, if it is painful, who want to dance??? STEIN Last three weeks I was at Lyon Opera Ballet Studio working with Lucinda Childs. Lucinda is one of most important postmodern choreographer/dancer. She was a part of Judson Church movement. And yes we are making "STEIN". "STEIN" is of course Gertrude Stein. Her poem "Photograph" is our inspiration for this work, with artist Hans Peter Kuhn. I am having a great time creating this work with such an iconic person. I will write more about this experience once we premiere! We will premiere this work at Radialsystem on July 24-27 in Berlin. If you are in Berlin during that time, let me know!!! Photo LC&MO by Jubal Battisti My friend came to visit!!! We went to the Basilica de Fourviere, Cathedral de St. Jean, Old City…. I was in Lyon with Graham Company 30 years ago. And remember this Basilica. Beautiful church on the top of the hill – yes very steep! High hills… we took a bus. This church is filled with mosaics. 30 years ago, I was amazed by these mosaics. One is the life of Jean of Arc. Interesting to see many animal figures at this church, and I thought it was unusual. So I wanted to visit again. It was beautiful then, and it is beautiful now too. French sweet is hard to resist... I was very good but at the breakfast, I get a madeleine and that is my treat!!! for my lunch!!! 30 years ago, at the theater where we were performing, we got on an elevator, and met Pina Bausch! that was one of highlight of Lyon!!! Well, I am in Stuttgart, in 2 days for COLOURS International Dance Festival, I will be traveling to Le Havre to work on the production of "STEIN" and going to Kalamata (International Dance Festival-July 18&19), Greece with "Mellowing" then Berlin to premiere!!! I will write soon again. I know I can keep going but I will stop right here!!! See you soon!!! Keep cool for this hot Summer!!! INFO_STEIN Production: DANCE ON / Bureau Ritter. In cooperation with Radialsystem, Berlin. Coproduction: CCNR Rillieux-la-pape – Yuval Pick; Le Phare - Centre chorégraphique national du Havre Normandie / direction Fouad Boussouf, as part of the Accueil-Studio Programme; Fonds Transfabrik – German-French fund for the performing arts. Supported by Hauptstadtkulturfonds. With the kind support of Ballet de l’Opéra de Lyon. With the support of Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels. DANCE ON is a project by BUREAU RIT