CANCELLED: The Political and Cultural Storytelling of George Balanchine's Choreography

“I believe in the moment. I believe in that moment, I believe what I see…..Ballet belongs to a dancer that is now at this moment in front of you” (George Balanchine). George Balanchine felt like a man with two bodies: the earthly man who loved the sensual pleasure of women, food, and wine, and the spiritual angel who brought dance from the gods. He lived in these two personas simultaneously, sometimes with heartbreaking personal consequences. For Balanchine, making dances was personal, psychological, and intimate. He was a composer, arranger, musician, playwright, theatre impresario, costume designer, choreographer, teacher, and mentor. He used the New York City Ballet as a political and cultural response to the events of the 20th Century. In this study group we will follow Mr. B from his birth and classical ballet training in Russia, to Berlin, London, Paris, Canada, and finally to New York. Using the text Mr. B: George Balanchine's 20th Century by Jennifer Homans (Random House, 2022) and archival tapes, we will view his classic and contemporary choreography and debate published critiques. Join us for a fascinating look at 85 years of history through dance.