Mark Morris Dance set – Programme 2

Mark Morris's second programme opens with a different UK premiere: Visitation, a spare, strange setting of Beethoven's Sonata No 4 for cello and piano. The music is filled with disconcerting echoes and moments of hiatus, and in Morris's step arrangement, these translate into equally unsettling manoeuvres. Dancers insert themselves, ghost-like, between two partners in a duet; they are cut off mid-phrase, or simply left bowing to blank space. In one section, three of them are carried parallel on to the stage, and as the music skips a sudden set of heartbeats, are tilted on to their feet, like lost souls jerked into life.

Visitation has moments of plangent loveliness, but it waits for you to discover them. And even in his more extrovert works, Morris often delivers his effects by stealth. Going Away Party (1990) is a homage to American western swing, set to 11 songs by the ebullient Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys. primarily, it looks no more ambitious than a regular cowboy romp, cast with strutting guys and flirtatious gals, and it is only in the second song that you start to get the measure of how funny and clever it's going to be. Formation-wise, there are moments of intellect, such as the asymmetrical square dance that requires wicked trickeries of positioning from its seven dancers. As for the humour, rarely does Morris's gift for referencing his lyrics get so droll, rising to the smutty delight of Wills's serenade to his girlfriend's lips, which prompts all the lady to leap on to the shoulders of the men, crotches pressed in opposition to their partners' mouths.

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Jackson collaborators search for debt payments

LOS ANGELES -- Michael Jackson's collaborators on "Thriller" say they are due more than $2.3 million from the singer's domain.

George Folsey Jr., the maker of the iconic 14-minute "Thriller" video, filed a claim Thursday for more than $1 million he says he's allocated.

An legal representative for the video's director, John Landis, filed creditors claims against the singer's estate - also on Thursday - saying they are likely due more than $1.3 million. Landis and his company sued Jackson before his death, claiming the singer hadn't paid Landis his distribute of profits in recent years.

Landis also sued to discontinue Jackson from exploiting new "Thriller" projects, such as a Broadway demonstrate. Those cases are still pending.

Jackson's past manager, Leonard Rowe, also claimed Thursday the singer allocated him more than $300,000.

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So You Think You Can Dance: First Day You're In, and the Next Day You're Out

This actuality-contestant merry-go-round is dizzying. Can we get off?

Thanks to baseball playoffs wreaking havoc on Fox's schedule, So You Think You Can Dance is all assorted up this season. generally the two-hour competition episode would air on Tuesday, fans would vote overnight and an removal episode would air Wednesday, but until the World Series is done, contest and elimination happens on the same night, and there's no fan voting to save couples from elimination. The judges decide among themselves who's going home.

Here's what happened for the period of tonight's Top 20 dance competition, complete with pairings, dances and the identities of the two eliminees who got the full Cat Deeley valuable-darling treatment on the way out:

Philip & Channing performed a Jason Gilkison-choreographed jive that was able and full of cuteness, but a small stiff on the flips. Judge Adam Shankman said it was a "classy pairing," but judge Nigel Lythgoe wanted to see more chemistry between the two going promote.

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Michael Jackson's ending curtain call

Michael Jackson was forever so much larger than life. His music was at the feeling of it all but the videos, the costumes, the live shows, the folklore about his sprawling home and immeasurable wealth -- all of it fuelled the public's interest in him and his fans' attachment to him. Sure the darker allegations, coupled with bizarre community appearances and questionable individual life choices had helped his slide into relative obscurity, but it was never likely that Michael Jackson would be completely forgotten.
There is no curiosity quite like morbid curiosity so it is predictable that the death of a famous entertainer would spur renewed interest in his or her back catalogue. What sits a little less simple with me, in this case, is how rapidly this material has been repurposed as a treat for MJ fans and connoisseurs. The man hasn't been dead that long. One could easily envision the huge community outcry if someone had released a film about the September 11 New York World Trade Centre attacks, or material from the day John F Kennedy was assassinated, or any other tragedy involving public figures or worldwide events, so soon after the real event itself. Yet here it is, possibly the largest universal release, about the months of preparation a worldwide icon undertook for his first appearances in front of a paying public in over a decade. In less than six months after his death.

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Thousands watch This is It premiere universal

After weeks of hype This was, lastly, It. Michael Jackson's posthumous curtain call, shown all together in 18 different countries around the world.

Thousands of fans stayed up late, got up near the beginning and took time out from work to watch the premiere of This is It, the film made from 100 hours of rehearsals for the King of Pop's aborted London concert.

Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Nokia theatre in Los Angeles, the location of several of Jackson's rehearsals and his high profile community memorial, where the premiere was anchored.

Across the Atlantic, hundreds more gathered at a concurrent opening in Leicester Square, in London, while a different 150,000 fans from Brazil to Australia watched the LA event live on the internet.

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'So You Think You Can Dance': First concert show of season six ends with double elimination

So much has happened already on the sixth season of the Fox realism dance competition
So You Think You Can Dance, and we are only at the ending of week one. Technically, it truly wasn’t even a week, and especially not what we have full-fledged accustomed to during the past five seasons. But, it is the first fall season ever of SYTYCD so with firsts, there are sure to be a lot of changes.

Monday night, we were introduced to the Top 20 dancers and were given the chance to watch them dance choreographed routines, in their individual styles, before being paired up and thrown to the wolves -- wolves being dance styles that are not their own. The group number at the opening was my favorite routine of the evening, and the standout performer, for me, was Jakob. We didn’t get to see much of him during the auditions and Vegas callback rounds, but he is almost certainly one of the most brilliant contemporary dancers I have seen on this show. I thought Travis Wall and Danny Tidwell were great. Add Jakob to that list.

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20,000 people try for Thriller dance record

Dancers from Vancouver to Beijing to Buenos Aires attempted to make their mark in the Guinness Book of globe Records for the largest number of people dancing concurrently to Michael Jackson's Thriller.

It's estimated about 20,000 people in more than 200 locations in 37 countries around the globe participate in the dance which occurred Saturday night or Sunday morning depending on where you were.

I adore dancing, I love Michael Jackson and it was a perfect chance to do both and get into the Guinness Book of World Records, said elementary school teacher Heather Shantz, 26, who had travelled several hours from her area to join about 230 people in downtown Vancouver on Saturday night.

Dance co-ordinator Graeme Lea led the crowd — all of whom had brought food and cash donations for the city's food bank in order to contribute in the event.
When we take our first step, people in China will take their first step, said Lea. The dance around the globe was co-ordinated by cellphone so all the dancers could begin at the similar time.

In Los Angeles, a enormous crowd of more than 4,000 made-up dancers gathered at the Nokia hub to do their bit.

'So You Think You Can Dance' get together The Top 20

The new set on 'So You Think You Can Dance' looks wider, flashier, but a bit distract at first. Cat, Mary, Nigel, and Adam are all back, but new are the new crop of dancers. In a new move the first show isn't an elimination episode but a pre-season showcase to introduce the top 20 to the audience. This is a good idea: the die-hard audience will be able to have a look at each dancer in their element before the elimination episodes begin. Each dancer performs in their favorite style of dance just this once, and next time the pairs will be made and the random styles of dance will be assigned.

The show is opened by a Wade Robson collection number. With most Wade numbers, an exciting, interesting idea results in a badass and unforgettable routine for the show. The group number has a chic 1930s theme, reminiscent of the gang wars from West Side Story. The 20 are split into four groups that are showcased in segments. A few parts were less than coordinated, but being the first number with ALL the dancers, I'll let it slide. Some eight counts used big groups motions that looked like the wretched dance scene from She's All That done in the correct context - an actual dance showcase. There were no factual sore thumbs sticking out in the premier group number.

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So You Think You Can Dance Canada: The day later than

MONTREAL - “When I heard my name, I went into shock. I just collapsed. I had to strength myself to breathe,” Tara-Jean Popowich said yesterday.

The 20-year-old contemporary dancer from Lethbridge, Alta., was crowned Canada’s familiar dancer Sunday on So You Think You Can Dance Canada. Quebec ballroom dancer Vincent Desjardins, 20, was named runner-up.

“When I heard Tara-Jean’s name called, I was as happy as if it had been my name called,” Desjardins said from Toronto for the duration of The Gazette’s phone interviews yesterday with the final four contestants.

Popowich wins $100,000 and a latest car. Desjardins also wins a car. Luckily, they both have licences. In fact, “I was looking for a new car, so this has worked out well,” Desjardins said.

Popowich’s mother was in the audience Sunday. When they lastly had a moment collectively, it was “one big, happy, crying circle.”

Popowich’s dad left when she was 3 years old, and she hasn’t seen him since. Her mom raised her and her older brother as a single parent, driving one to hockey and the other to dance class. There wasn’t a lot of currency.

For more details please visit the montrealgazette.com

Strictly Come Dancing: Jade Johnson dazzles in a costume which is barely there

Her footwork was definitely fancy but all eyes were on her clothes - or the lack of it.
Jade Johnson took to the floor on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night in an outfit that looked approximating a silver cobweb. As the 29-year-old athlete strutted to the samba with professional dancer Ian Waite, her wispy dress left small to the imagination.

But she impressed the judges with the active routine and saved herself from being voted off.
as an alternative, Jo Wood, 53, and partner Brendan Cole left the contest with a unsatisfactory 14 out of 40 points for their samba - one of the lowest scores ever recorded on the BBC1 show.
Her samba had been branded a 'dance disaster' by Craig Revel Horwood who scored them presently two points, while judge Bruno Tonioli told her, 'You dragged poor Brendan into samba hell'.

GIBRALTAR DANCER CHAMPIONSHIPS JUDGING IN OSLO

Michael Prescott, President of the Gibraltar countrywide Dance Organisation and renowned international judge for the globe governing body I.D.O. has been selected as judge for the Norwegian National Dance Championships.

The Championships are being held in Oslo, Norway, this weekend and allow the GNDO to see and compare the standards of dance in each nation, especially when time comes to travel to Germany for the Olympics of Dance.

Michael has been an worldwide adjudicator since 1988 and has judged over 15 international competitions and festivals of dance.He is a founder member of the world governing body International Dance Organisation since 1981 and was awarded the prestigious IDO Golden Award in 2003. This has allowed him to gain a high standing as an international judge and be highly respected by all the IDO family from around the world.

Dancing through time in West Milford, a last celebration-off

West Milford — As West Milford’s 175th anniversary year winds down there is yet one more happening slated to get residents out of the home and up on their feet.

On Nov. 7, the West Milford Heritage Committee will be hosting a 175 Anniversary Gala at the West Milford Elks Club and all are invited to feast, dance and drink a toast to their hometown.
Looking back in time, town residents have been known to get out and boogie. Well, maybe not so much boogie — more like swing their partners. According to some folks around town, square dances were West Milford’s biggest common events in days gone by.

The square dance is considered a folk dance, with its steps and movements coming to the United States from diagonally the sea. First described in the 17th century, it was popular in England and France and is akin to Scottish country dancing. Americans made it their own and different provincial styles arose.

It's 'Thriller' night: Michael Jackson fans to go for international record for largest dance

Does the world truly need yet another Michael Jackson tribute? If it means getting thousands of people all over the world to join in a possibly world-record-breaking simultaneous dance of Jackson’s well-known “Thriller,” then the answer is yes.


Thrill the World will be taking place Saturday at exactly 5:30 p.m. PST and, as mentioned above, is a universal attempt to break a world record for the largest simultaneous dance with Jackson’s six-minute version of “Thriller.” The current record stands at 1,722 people from 52 countries, set on Oct. 27 and 28, 2007. This year, 3,000 people are predictable to dance at the L.A. event alone, which is taking place at L.A. Live. There will also be groups dancing in the South Bay, Ventura and Orange County, says Amanda Ayres, executive coordinator of the L.A. division.

Q&A with So You Think You Can Dance Canada's Top 4 winner

On Sunday, the champion of So You Think You Can Dance Canada's second season will be crowned, bringing an end to months of training, injuries and enthusiasm. It seems like the season only just started, but already the competition has been narrowed to the Top 4: Tara-Jean Popowich, Everett Smith, Jayme Rae Dailey and Vincent Desjardins. In between their demanding rehearsals, we caught up with the Top 4 dancers to find out how they think going into Sunday's finale

Top 20 Finalists discovered on So You Think You Can Dance

Thousands of dancers auditioned throughout the nation for season six on So You Think You Can Dance. On October 21st, 2009, they finally revealed the top 20 finalists.

The show ended with a twirl. The last two girls waiting to find out their fate in the top 20 were Karen Hauer and Ashleigh Di Lello. Ashleigh's husband had already found out he made the top 20. The judges announced that Karen would be going through to the top 20. usually, this would mean Ashleigh would be cut. However, a popular favorite Paula Van Oppen, dropped out of the competition. She was offered a movie contract and withdrew from the competition. Thus, leaving a spot open for Ashleigh. This will be the first time the show will have a married pair in the top 20. The other contestants stated to Ashleigh and Ryan, "You now have 18 kids!"

The first event will air on Monday October 26th at 8:00-9:00PM (ET/PT). The dancers will be featured in their own genre. In addition, they will be performing in a group numbers. You will also have the chance to get to know the dancers. At the end of the show, Judges Mary Murphy and Nigel Lythgoe will pair the dancers up as couples.

Join the universal 'Thriller Dance' Record Attempt

LOS ANGELES -- If you're looking for a thrill and would like to be part of a universal record attempt, put on your dancing shoes and find your inner zombie.

More than 300 locations across the world will try to break the record for the most people dancing all together to Michael Jackson's “Thriller”.

If you would like to take part, you can head to L.A. Live on Saturday, October 24. The dance kicks off at 5:30 p.m. (PST) -- pointed!

But, before you show up you'll have to register and gain knowledge of the dance.

'Dancing with the Stars' abolish Olympic gold medal swimmer Natalie Coughlin

In two Olympics and four world championships, Natalie Coughlin has tasted the thrill of success eight times.For now, that'll have to be sufficient.The three-time Olympic gold medalist and her professional dance partner, Alec Mazo, were eliminated Tuesday nighttime from "Dancing With the Stars," the sixth couple sent packing from ABC's hit dancing contest. Dancing the paso doble, Coughlin and Mazo earned 22 of a possible 30 points from the show's judges, their second-worst score in the contest. However, when Coughlin and Mazo wound up in the bottom two with singer Aaron Carter and partner Karina Smirnoff - who scored 24 points with their Argentine tango - the jury were surprised and dismayed.

Dancing with the Stars Michael Jackson Tribute Begins newest Jackson Honors

Dancing With the Stars' Michael Jackson compliment was even more anticipated than the Dancing With the Stars results. The Dancing With the Stars Michael Jackson compliment had ballroom dancing performances to Jackson's famed hits, after being hyped for weeks. Dancing With the Stars is a good place for a Michael Jackson tribute, since it is a dancing show, and Jackson defined dancing in the 70's and 80's. But the Dancing With the Stars Michael Jackson tribute was only a preparation act for the Jackson tribute to come in theaters.

It likely wasn't a fluke that the Dancing With the Stars Michael Jackson tribute show came eight days before This Is It, the documentary of Jackson's final rehearsals, is released in theaters. This Is It could be the biggest "final" compliment to Jackson yet, leaving Dancing With the Stars to just get the ball rolling.

Is China truly helping?

The mere fact that China was privileged by the North Koreans at Arirang - a spectacular dance and gymnastics show of 100,000 - is proof that China has much influence on North Korea. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao

'So You Think You Can Dance's' Mia is send out

an additional Fox judge bites the dust -- this time, it's "So You Think You Can Dance's" Mia Michaels.

The visitor judge and Emmy-winning choreographer on the dance competition show has pulled a Paula Abdul by Tweeting her resignation.

"Thank U for 5 wonderful yrs . . . thanks SYTYCD and look forward to whats [sic] ahead for me . . . lookout world!!!!!" Michaels wrote, in a three-part message posted in all caps, on her hardly ever updated Twitter feed on Wednesday night.

She followed up the Tweets with a declaration on her Facebook page, adding that, "Today was my authorized resignation of the US show and look forward to what's ahead for me."

Michaels' resignation comes less than a week after she expressed lackluster feelings in excess of the past summer's fifth season of "SYTYCD."

Bebo causes nearly a stampede

The magnum opus telly show Dance Premier League on Sony Entertainment Television this week saw the Western Yoghs and their group selections. As they waited eagerly to collect their supporter, Kareena Kapoor, the arena saw a near stampede! While people were cheering and blaring out her name, Kareena said, “I’m happy to be at the DPL selections and I’ll surely cheer for the team.”




What’s adding glam to this show, which has a distinctive format, is the attendance of stars like Salman Khan, Bipasha Basu, Himmesh Reshammiya, Sohail Khan, Prabhu Deva, Arshad Warsi and Shiamak Davar. The stars came, danced and had participants fainting too! Yes, a participant did faint when she realised that Salman was watching her dance! The selections saw dancers from the west zone with one special dancer who proved that zilch can keep him away from rival for his regional pride. Vishal, a 20-year-old from Mumbai danced like a dream.

'Dancing with the Stars' to honor Michael Jackson with dance compliment

Dancing with the Stars was apparently capable to safe the clearance for a Michael Jackson tribute that So You Think You Can Dance couldn't get.

Dancing with the Stars will air a ballroom dance tribute to Jackson -- who conceded away in June at the age of 50 -- during Tuesday night's live ninth-season results show, Access Hollywood reported Wednesday.

The tribute will include all of the show's expert dancers and feature Cheryl Burke as one of the choreographers."That's going to be wonderful," said Access Hollywood guest correspondent La Toya Jackson. "I'm so excited. I can't wait to see that. I'm really looking frontward to that. That's gonna be wonderful."

In addition, La Toya said her mom Katherine -- who currently has legal custody of Michael's three children -- will be "very excited" and "very pleased" to see the tribute. "She'd love to see it, love to see it," explained La Toya, adding her mom is a Dancing with the Stars fan. "She watches it all the time. She loves it." The day after Michael passed away in June, So You Think You Can Dance co-creator Nigel Lythgoe used Twitter to reach out to Paula Abdul and several So You Think You Can Dance choreographers in an try to help organize a Jackson tribute in one of the show's fifth-season summer episodes.