dance Archives - The Austinot

Arts, Athleticism Shine with Blue Lapis Light Performances

September 15, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler 1 Comment

Blue Lapis Light Performance

Blue Lapis Light performance (Credit: Earl McGehee)

For some, hitting the dance floor can be challenging. Imagine executing those same moves while hanging in air. Now, take that scenario to the side of a downtown building, underneath the I-35 bridge, or suspended from 25-foot high scaffolding.

Welcome to the world of Austin’s Blue Lapis Light.

Blue Lapis Light is a site-specific dance company that combines the art of dance and music, athleticism, aerial silks and the drama of Austin’s skyline into unique yearly shows. Their current performance, Edge of Grace, serves additional functions. It gives the public a look at Blue Lapis Light’s new south Austin studio location, while celebrating 10 years of creative performance and educational outreach. [Read more…]

Experience Bollywood Right Here in Austin

August 18, 2015 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Bollywood Dancing at Long Center in Austin

Bollywood dancing in front of the Austin skyline

Austin Bollywood Day 2015 was a success! While the weather was exceptionally hot, hundreds of visitors were in good spirits while checking out the festivities at the Long Center. If you missed this recent August event, don’t worry. There are several happenings throughout the year to celebrate the vibrancy and excitement of Bollywood in Austin, and you can get involved. [Read more…]

5 Things You Never Knew About Ballet Austin

April 30, 2015 by Edwin Ochoa Leave a Comment

Ballet Austin Butler Dance and Fitness Center

Ballet Austin Butler Dance and Fitness Center is located at 501 W 3rd St (Credit: Andrew Yates via Ballet Austin)

42,000 people attend Ballet Austin performances each year. Who knew that some of the most exciting works of ballet are being performed in our backyard?

You don’t have to be a diehard ballet geek to appreciate the cultural value Ballet Austin adds to our city. You don’t even have to be a current fan of ballet to enjoy what Ballet Austin has to offer.

Here are 5 things you never knew about Ballet Austin. [Read more…]

Movement and Love at Chaddick Dance Theater’s Winter Showcase

February 24, 2015 by Kelli McDonald Leave a Comment

Chaddick Dance Theater Dancer

Performing “Vicissitudes of the Heart” (Credit: Rene Michaels/DanceDigitals.com)

I confess that my knowledge of dance is slim, but First Street Studio provides an accessible space to discover a love for dancing. They aim to support emerging artists by providing a nurturing area for small organizations, dance instructors and dancers to connect with Austin audiences by holding classes and performances.

I was fortunate enough to see Chaddick Dance Theater’s Winter Showcase In the Company of… as my introduction to First Street Studio and the work of Cheryl Chaddick, who uses dance to tell relatable stories that reflect inner struggle and self-discovery.

Cheryl Chaddick was the artistic director and choreographer for Company Chaddick in San Francisco [Read more…]

Journey to Bollywood: Om Shanti Delivers

September 16, 2013 by Matthew Champion 4 Comments

Om Shanti Once Upon a Time in Bollywood

Shanti and Om (Photo credit: Sanjay N Patel)

I took the assignment of Om Shanti: Once Upon a Time in Bollywood on a complete whim. I had never experienced anything like it before. The closest I had come was attending my friends’ Persian wedding last year…and when I saw Slumdog Millionaire.

After repeatedly chanting “BOLLYWOOOOOOD!” on the way to the Long Center, my wife and I made our way to grab our tickets and head inside. We were genuinely excited. Upon looking into it, I discovered that Om Shanti was the first ever regionally-produced, large-scale Bollywood musical to come to Austin. Not only was it new to me, but probably to a few others in attendance as well. [Read more…]