Page 342 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - New York City

340  TR A VELERS ’ NEEDS

Ballet Ballet, City Center has held largest dance facilities and created
At the heart of the dance world performances by all the by the Alvin Ailey American
is Lincoln Center (see p208), great contemporary artists, Dance Theater to promote
where the New York City Ballet including Alvin Ailey’s blend black cultural expression. Hunter
performs pieces in the of modern, jazz, and blues, College Dance performs
David H. Koch Theater. This and the companies of modern new works by student
company was created by the dance masters the late Merce choreographers, and the Isadora
legendary brilliant choreo­ Cunning ham and Paul Taylor. Duncan Dance Foundation
grapher George Balanchine and Avoid the mezzanine, as the recreates Duncan’s original
is probably still the best in view is restricted. dances. To see contemp orary
the world. The current director, The city’s single most active chore ographers, the best place
Peter Martins, was one of venue for dance is probably to go is the Juilliard School.
Balanchine’s best dancers and the Joyce Theater, where such
continues the strict policy of well­established companies as Prices
ensemble dancing rather than the Ballet Tech, along with bold
“star turns.” The season runs newcomers and visiting Theater is extremely expensive
from November to February troupes, perform. to produce, and ticket prices
and late April to early June. Each spring the DanceAfrica tend to reflect this. Even Off­
The ballet division at the Festival at the Brooklyn and Off­Off­Broadway tickets
Juilliard School also presents Academy of Music (BAM) are not cheap anymore. Preview
a spring workshop every year, (see p231) features everything tickets are easier to get hold of,
and this is a good chance to from ethnic dance to hip­hop. though, and it’s fun to see a
see budding stars. During autumn the “Next Wave” show before the reviews are in
The American Ballet Theater festival of music and dance is so you’re able to make up your
appears at the Metropolitan held, celebrating international own mind.
Opera House, which also and American avant­garde For a Broadway theater ticket
hosts many visiting foreign dance and music. During winter, you can expect to pay $100 or
companies, such as the Kirov, the American Ballet Festival is more; for musicals, up to $200;
Bolshoi, and Royal ballets. Its held here. Off­Broadway, $25 to $60. For
repertoire includes classics, such During June, the Tisch dance, $20 to $50 is the usual
as Swan Lake, and works by School of the Arts at New York range, with up to $125 for
modern choreo graphers such University (see p111) holds a the American Ballet Theater.
as Twyla Tharp and Paul Taylor. Summer Residency Festival
with lecture­demonstrations, Times of Performance
rehearsals, and performances,
Contemporary Dance
and Dancing in the Streets The general rules for theater­
New York is the center of many of organizes summertime dance hours are: closed on Mondays
the most important movements performances all over the city. (except for most musicals),
in modern dance. The Dance Throughout the month of with matinees on Wednesdays,
Theater of Harlem is world August, Lincoln Center Out of Saturdays, and sometimes
famous for its modern, traditional, Doors has a program of free Sundays. Matinees usually begin
and ethnic productions. Other dance events on the plaza, with at 2pm, with evening perform­
havens of experimental dance such experimental groups as the ances at 8pm. Be sure to check
include the 92nd Street Y and American Tap Dance Orchestra. the correct dates and times of
the Alvin Ailey American Dance The Duke on 42nd Street the performance beforehand,
Theater. The unique New York presents many contemporary as tickets are usually non­
Live Arts features contemporary dance companies and refundable if you fail to turn
dance and performance from participates in events such up at the correct time.
around the world. The Kitchen, as the New York Tap Festival.
La MaMa Experimental Theatre At different times of the year, Backstage Tours
Club, Symphony Space, and P.S. Radio City Music Hall holds
122 are all multimedia venues several spectacular shows, with and Lectures
with the latest in contemporary different com panies from all For those interested in the
dance, perfor mance art, and over the world. At Christmas mechanics and anecdotes of
avant­garde music. Choreographer and Easter, it features the the theater, your best bet is to
Mark Morris’s company performs famously precise Rockettes go on one of the theater tours.
at the Mark Morris Dance Center dance troupe. The 92nd Street Y organizes
in Brooklyn; New York City Center Choreographers and dance insider’s views of the theater,
(see p144) is a favorite spot for companies frequently present with famous directors, actors,
dance fans. It used to house works­in­progress and recitals and choreographers taking
the New York City Ballet and the to the public. Among the most part. Writers are invited along
American Ballet Theater before interesting venues for these to read or discuss their current
Lincoln Center was built. As well is the Joan Weill Center for works. Radio City Music Hall
as once featuring the Joffrey Dance, one of the country’s also holds tours.

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