Balanchine and his Influence On Ballet in the 20th-Century

Balanchine and his Influence  On Ballet in the 20th-Century
The Moviehouse in Millerton, N.Y., combines a screening of “In Balanchine’s Classroom” with a panel discussion with former Balanchine dancers, and then a Bolshoi Ballet performance of “Jewels,” on Jan. 16 and 23. Photo of poster

After this week's edition of Compass arts and entertainment was printed, The Moviehouse announced it is postponing the screening and related events until April. Please check The Moviehouse website for updated information.

 

Anyone interested in classical ballet will know the name of choreographer George Balanchine; even those of us who are only familiar at a glance with the history of dance at least know who he is and understand that he was one of the towering figures.

Perhaps as important as his artistic vision and his choreography is the impact he had on ballet through his teaching.

The Moviehouse in Millerton, N.Y., offers a chance this weekend and next weekend to get a more intimate understanding of who Balanchine was as a person, teacher and choreographer; and to see a performance by the Bolshoi Ballet of Balanchine’s “Jewels.”

On Sunday, Jan. 16, at 1 p.m., there will be a screening of a film called “In Balanchine’s Classroom,” directed by ballerina Connie Hochman. The film includes interviews with 90 former Balanchine dancers, who share their memories of what they learned, how they learned it and how working with the master changed their lives and careers.

Some of the names included in the film will be familiar to anyone even remotely interested in dance in the mid to late 20th century: Jacques D’Amboise, Merill Ashley, Gloria Govrin, Suki Schorer, Edward Villella and Heather Watts.

Adding to that, there will be a panel discussion after the film led by Miriam Mahdaviani, who danced for the New York City Ballet under the direction of Balanchine, Jerome Robbins and Peter Martins. She will be joined by John Meehan, who was a principal dancer and is professor of dance and director of Vassar Repertory Dance Theatre as well as Frances Daly Fergusson Chair in the Humanities at Vassar College; Peter Naumann who is also a former New York City Ballet principal, choreographer and is current Ballet Master at New Palz Ballet Theater; and Lisa Chalmers-Naumann, who was a Balanchine protegée, a former New York City Ballet principal and is now Ballet Mistress at New Palz Ballet Theater.

All this leads up to the performance, “captured live,” of “Jewels,” choreographed by Balanchine and featuring the music of Fauré, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky. That performance on Sunday, Jan. 23, begins at 12:55 p.m.

For more information and to order tickets, go to www.themoviehouse.net.

Latest News

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Classifieds - February 26, 2026

Help Wanted

PART-TIME CARE-GIVER NEEDED: possibly LIVE-IN. Bright private STUDIO on 10 acres. Queen Bed, En-Suite Bathroom, Kitchenette & Garage. SHARON 407-620-7777.

The Salisbury Association’s Land Trust seeks part-time Land Steward: Responsibilities include monitoring easements and preserves, filing monitoring reports, documenting and reporting violations or encroachments, and recruiting and supervising volunteer monitors. The Steward will also execute preserve and trail stewardship according to Management Plans and manage contractor activity. Up to 10 hours per week, compensation commensurate with experience. Further details and requirements are available on request. To apply: Send cover letter, resume, and references to info@salisburyassociation.org. The Salisbury Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

To save birds, plant for caterpillars

Fireweed attracts the fabulous hummingbird sphinx moth.

Photo provided by Wild Seed Project

You must figure that, as rough as the cold weather has been for us, it’s worse for wildlife. Here, by the banks of the Housatonic, flocks of dark-eyed juncos, song sparrows, tufted titmice and black-capped chickadees have taken up residence in the boxwood — presumably because of its proximity to the breakfast bar. I no longer have a bird feeder after bears destroyed two versions and simply throw chili-flavored birdseed onto the snow twice a day. The tiny creatures from the boxwood are joined by blue jays, cardinals and a solitary flicker.

These birds will soon enough be nesting, and their babies will require a nonstop diet of caterpillars. This source of soft-bodied protein makes up more than 90 percent of native bird chicks’ diets, with each clutch consuming between 6,000 and 9,000 caterpillars before they fledge. That means we need a lot of caterpillars if we want our bird population to survive.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stephanie Haboush Plunkett and the home for American illustration

Stephanie Haboush Plunkett

L. Tomaino
"The field of illustration is very close to my heart"
— Stephanie Plunkett

For more than three decades, Stephanie Haboush Plunkett has worked to elevate illustration as a serious art form. As chief curator and Rockwell Center director at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, she has helped bring national and international attention to an art form long dismissed as merely commercial.

Her commitment to illustration is deeply personal. Plunkett grew up watching her father, Joseph Haboush, an illustrator and graphic designer, work late into the night in his home studio creating art and hand-lettered logos for package designs, toys and licensed-character products for the Walt Disney Co. and other clients.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free film screening and talk on end-of-life care
‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards.
Provided

Craig Davis, co-founder and board chair of East Mountain House, an end-of-life care facility in Lakeville, will sponsor a March 5 screening of the documentary “Come See Me in the Good Light” at The Moviehouse in Millerton, followed by a discussion with attendees.

The film, which is nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, follows the poet Andrea Gibson and their partner Megan Falley as they are suddenly and unimaginably forced to navigate a terminal illness. The free screening invites audiences to gather not just for a film but for reflection on mortality, healing, connection and the ways communities support one another through difficult life transitions.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.