Some readers, Arts Summit 2020, and Broken History

I’m getting close to a next revision of “Dance in the Baltimore Region,” and once again looking for a few good readers. This revision is up to about 100 pages, about half of which will be mostly familiar to previous readers. So, if you’ve got some time on your hands and feel like telling me what I’ve gotten wrong so far, please be in touch.

This is also Maryland Arts Summit week. This is an all-virtual event, using Crowdcast and Google meeting, and recorded versions of the sessions will be available after the live event. Sorry I didn’t get this out ahead of the first day, but… MSAC probably has you on their radar already. In case they don’t, information is here: https://mdarts.org/summit/

Something that’s been in my notes for a while went public last week – an exploration of the first Nutcracker in America, and I imagine it’s not the one you’re thinking of… https://www.inthedancersstudio.com/2020/05/changing-history-a-different-first-nutcracker-in-america/

Please #BRDS2020 and bring friends to #BRDS2020 ( https://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020 )
Please stay home.
Please keep dancing.
Please reach out to people directly and personally. They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you. I will miss you.
Simple acts of kindness do matter. Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.
If there is something I can do, please let me know.

Changing History – A different first Nutcracker in America

If I have to recommend a Nutcracker, my personal go-to is the 2004 San Fransisco Ballet version by Helgi Tomasson, so I very much appreciate the San Francisco Ballet (and not just because they’ve got the third-largest budget for a dance company in the country). It is widely published, and generally acknowledged that the San Francisco Ballet presented the first full-length Nutcracker in America. The idea that the Nutcracker in America started in San Francisco is, well, everywhere.

Ballet being ballet, the matter isn’t entirely settled. Some point to the 1940 Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo Nutcracker, with choreography by Alexandra Fedorova, after Lev Ivanov, which premiered on October 17, 1940 at the 51st Street Theater in New York City. New Yorkers do have their pride, and the Boweryboys (among others) aren’t afraid to lay claim to that first Nutcracker. This is an abridged one-act version, so not being “complete,” this one rarely gets full credit. Still, publications like the Los Angeles Times, Dance Spirit, and Pointe Magazine give the Ballet Russe a quick nod before breaking out the San Francisco title.

nutcrackerballet.net, like most places, doesn’t hesitate, putting San Francisco’s claim right on the front page. Variations of this story are everywhere, and it’s probably the history you know. No less an authority than Time Magazine, in 2014, says to us “When the San Francisco Ballet company performed the first complete version of The Nutcracker in the U.S. on Christmas Eve, 1944, they had no way of knowing that in time it would become as American as leaving the milk and cookies out for Santa.” This production, with choreography by William Christensen, working with George Balanchine and Alexandra Danilova, usually gets the credit.

The San Fransisco Ballet, of course, makes its claim boldly and prominently, “Founded in 1933, the company staged the first full-length American productions of Coppélia (1938) and Swan Lake (1940) and, in 1944, we launched an annual holiday tradition when we produced the first full-length production of Nutcracker in the US.” They’ll even give you a nice, concise version of their Nutcracker’s story.

Let me tell you a different story…

On June 2, 1935, news of the the Bekefi-Deleporte Institute of Dance Spring recital appears in print…

Senora de Azcarate, wife of the military attache of the Mexican Embassy heads the list of prominent patrons for the forthcoming Spring concert of the Bekefi-Deleporte Institute of Dance Sunday evening, June 2, at 8:30 o’clock at the Community Center Auditorium at Sixteenth and Q streets. Among other patrons and patronesses are Mrs. John Francis Butler, Mme. Natalie Rimsky-Korsakoff, Mr. And Mrs. Richard W. D. Jewet, Mr. Frank La Falce, and Mr. William Nelson.

There will be many out-of-town guests for this colorful dance event, for the group of artist and students dancers to be presented by Mr. Theodore Bekefi, Mr. Maurice Deleporte, and Mr. Billy Lytell includes more than a hundred Washington dancers who are interested in the recital and who will participate in the varied program of ballet and character numbers, opening with the first presentation in the Capital of the entire “Nutcracker Ballet,” by Tchaikowsky, from which the often-seen Nutcracker Suite is but a part.

Evening Star, Washington, D. C., May 20, 1935, page B-4.

The announcement made, more details follow the next week…

Theodore Bekefi, prominent dance director of Washington will present Tschaikowsky’s “Nutcracker Ballet” as the opening feature of the Spring recital of the Bekefi-Deleporte Institute of Dance next Sunday night at 8:30 o’clock at the Community Center, Sixteenth and Q Streets. Victor Neal, concert pianist of this city, will play the accompaniment for the ballet, which will be danced by a large group of classical and character dancers in the leading roles, including Boydie Barry, Dorthy Ann Goodman, George Filgate, Boofie Barry, with Bekefi himself as Dreselmeyer, the leading character role.

In the ballet will be seen also Virginia Barry, Charlotte Bolgiano, Mary Bolgiano, Theresa Clancey, Ronnie Cunningham, Margaret Mary Edmonston, Margie Gibson, Mary-Beth Hughes, Ethel Mevay, Elise Pinckner, Marguerite Reese, Lila Zalipsky, Dorthy Barry, Josephine Parther, Mary Renkel, and May Tenn.

Evening Star, Washington, D. C., May 26, 1935, page F-6.

I include this list of performers, first to afford them some credit in this 21st Century, but also to point out that (it seems) Lila Zalipsky would go on to make many ballet things happen, particularly on the west coast, as Lila Zali. The others in this performance didn’t ring any immediate bells for me, so that’s some research for a future date.

This is “just” a spring recital for a local dance school, but before the show, there’s a third piece in the Evening Star, this time with some casting details…

For the first time in Washington, the complete production of Tschaikowsky’s “Nutcracker Ballet” will be staged by Bekefi: opening the program of the occasion, with Bekefi in the leading role of Droselmeyer, and included in the dancers, Boydie Barry as the Nutcracker; Dorothy Ann Goodman as Clara, George Filgate as the King of Mice, Boofie Barry as the Doll and a large group of little girls, mice and soldiers.

Evening Star, Washington, D. C., June 2, 1935, page F-6.

Finally, at the end of this thread, we have a review.

The program, in four parts, any two of which would have made a delightful entertainment, was late in beginning and very long. Tschaikowsky’s “The Nutcracker Ballet,” staged and directed by Theodore Bekefi opened the program. The pantomime was well carried out and the cast included, in addition to Mr. Bekefi, Dorthy Ann Goodman, Boydie Barry, Mary Boudren, Barbara Culley, Mary Coen, Lois Heckinger, Betty Jamison, Mary Renkel, Sonya Samkow, Izetta Simon, Boofie Barry, Bill and Jack Smoot, Melvin Goldberg, Bernard June, Phyllis Schwartz, Mary Quick, Edith Klee, Eleanor Klee, Barbara Ramey, Barbara Schwartz, Jackie Smith, George Filgate, Dorthy Barry, Josephine Prather, May Tenn, Elise Pickney, Marguerite Reese, Virginia Barry, Charlotte Bolgiano, Ronnie Cunningham, Mary Bolgiano, Mary-Margaret Edmonston, Marie Gibson, Mary Beth Hughes, Ethel Mevay, Lila Zalipsky and Bernice Susser. In the finale of the first act of their pantomime, a choir composed of members of Mme. Zalipsky’s vocal studios was heard from behind the scenes.

Evening Star, Washington, D. C., June 4, 1935, page B-20

And the clue that ran me down this rabbit hole? the Bekefi-Deleporte Institute of the Dance presents the “Nutcracker Ballet” on June 20, 1935 at Lehmann Hall in Baltimore, Maryland:

Dozens of Dancers Whirled and pirouetted on the stage of the Lehmann Hall last night as Theodore Bekefi, a former soloist with the Diaghileff Ballet Russe, brought a company of his dancers from Washington to perform the “Nutcracker Ballet.”

The story, a fantasy of Christmas Eve, told a tale in dance of a nutcracker toy, which came to life, killed the king of mice after a duel, and then journeyed through the land of snowflakes to the palace of sweets. The dancing throughout was smooth and expert, especially in the snowflake scene.

R. L. W., “Nutcracker Ballet,” Baltimore Sun, June 21, 1935, page 10.

So there you have it… a new first Nutcracker in America, this one performed nearly a decade before the commonly-accepted first complete Nutcracker in America and five years before the Ballet Russe in New York.

A Christmas ballet. In June. At a Jewish Community Center. In Washington, D. C. Maybe that’s why nobody noticed…




Research Help, City Grants, Giving Tuesday and Some good feels

It’s been pretty quiet in recent days…  First, a couple requests for help…

Does anyone know anything about Equus the Ballet, performed at the Mechanic in March 1980?

With libraries closed, I have limited access to source material, so taking a bit of a long shot… Do you know anyone with a personal copy of Baltimore Magazine from October 1978?

A little business…

Baltimore City’s Small Business Assistance Fund opens tomorrow (May the 4th be with you…).  Full information is available here ( https://www.baltimoretogether.com/ ).  Important for the dance world, non-profits within Baltimore City that rely on earned income are eligible.  Maximum grant is $15,000.

GivingTuesday ( https://www.givingtuesday.org/ ) is now May 5.

And some fun things… Viruses don’t see lines on maps.
Vincent Thomas, Towson University Department of Dance, Modern Repertory for Men- Spring 2020   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqjAqTGZmrE

Glitter (nudity) with Hajiba Fhamy – https://vimeo.com/391525572

Dancing to SARS-Cov-2-inspired music in [empty] Budapest – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgwdGctca4I

Quarantine Dance Specials 2020 from Peigan Powwow Productions  – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IgHYXvixBQ

Not exactly dance, but some good feels from Philadelphia…. Mr. Y Not – https://vimeo.com/408841106

Please #BRDS2020 and bring friends to #BRDS2020 ( https://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020 )
Please stay home.
Please keep dancing.
Please reach out to people directly and personally.  They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you.  I will miss you.
Simple acts of kindness do matter.  Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.
If there is something I can do, please let me know.

1 Week to The Deconstruction / MSAC Emergency Grants update / Things to do at home / Get a job / Party with DJ Supream

May 1-3, 2020 – “The Deconstruction is a global creative collaboration event held online (and in real life) for artists, makers, creators, students, parents, and everyone else!”  https://www.thedeconstruction.org/

MSAC Emergency Grants program has some updates – See https://www.msac.org/grants/emergency-grant

A chance to go to Harvard (sortof…).  First Nights – Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring: Modernism, Ballet, and Riots.  Class is self-paced.  https://www.edx.org/course/stravinskys-rite-of-spring-modernism-ballet-and-ri

From the great people at Fractured Atlas “Security and Privacy Tools for Artistic Collaboration” – https://blog.fracturedatlas.org/security-privacy-tools-artistic-collaboration

Wide Angle Youth Media is looking for a Program Director – https://www.wideanglemedia.org/join-our-team

Reginald F. Lewis Museum Museum Nights at Home Quarantine Party II with DJ Supream May 7, 6pm – https://lewismuseum.org/event/museum-nights-home/

Please #BRDS2020 and bring friends to #BRDS2020 ( https://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020 )
Please stay home.
Please keep dancing.
Please reach out to people directly and personally.  They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you.  I will miss you.
Simple acts of kindness do matter.  Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.
If there is something I can do, please let me know.

Artist Relief Funds, Put Your Mask On, MSAC (April 21 3pm) and a shout out to DLNY, and some other bits…

Artist Relief is a coalition of major arts donors and offers $5000 grants to artists facing dire financial emergencies due to COVID-19.  More info here:  https://www.artistrelief.org/


Baltimore has it’s own version, through the Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts.  Info here: http://promotionandarts.org/arts-council/baltimore-artist-emergency-relief-fund-0


Loyola’s Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship offers a Crisis Navigator program, offering online consultation with business experts to help you through these times – https://www.loyola.edu/department/center-innovation-entrepreneurship/community-involvement/loyola-crisis-navigators


If you have a business, Maryland has launched a Business Relief Wizard ( https://reliefwizard.net/ ), to guide you through available programs.


Baltimore Club gets into public health – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-tTqJZeNyw   Put Your Mask On


Maryland State Arts Council Creative Conversations (now on Google Meet) –
Creative Conversations: Dance
April 21st, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Led by MSAC Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz
Meeting Link: meet.google.com/vyr-dgyb-ikq
Call in: 317-953-3049‬
PIN: ‪104 020 529#

Complete list of conversations here: https://www.msac.org/news/creative-conversations-0


Because we could all use a little bit of good news… Congratulations are in order for Josh Prince and the team at Dance Lab New York (formerly Broadway Dance Lab – https://www.dancelabny.org ).  After converting their annual gala event (originally scheduled for March 30) to a “virtual gala” on just a few weeks’ notice, they managed to exceed their $10,000 fundraising goal.  It is possible to make things happen…

…. and some recognition for Chris Kopec from a couple weeks ago – https://www.wbaltv.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-ellicott-city-deejay-chris-kopec-virtual-dance-party/31885994


And I’ll wrap this up with a few entertainment options….

Two hours of the Soul Train Line – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nfJfqCD9y8

If you’re more into Latin fusion… 2/3rds of Trio Caliente ( https://triocaliente.com/ ) will be doing a couch concert at 9pm tonight via Facebook.

If you miss Swan Lake, this one gets faster with each tendu… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9XDuVzhs2k (warning, potentially seizure-inducing).  Runtime is less than 3 minutes.


Please #BRDS2020 and bring friends to #BRDS2020 ( https://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020 )

Please stay home ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4PnSYAqQHU )

Please keep dancing.

Please reach out to people directly and personally.  They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you.  I will miss you.

Simple acts of kindness do matter.  Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.

If there is something I can do, please let me know.

More local resources and some things about Zoom[ing]

If you’re not already aware, https://www.dancingalonetogether.org/ is evolving as a centralized resource for dancing online.  Featuring a growing set of online classes and dance-focused video, this might keep you busy for a while…

Wide Angle Youth Media has put together another locally-focused directory of resources for these pandemic times.  You can see that here:  https://www.wideanglemedia.org/covid-19-resources

Too late to engage, but a tip of the hat to Mobtown Ballroom for their Mobtown Telethon (Replays here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9SmO-IfFFY [part 1] and here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uDqjPPiKWX8 [part 2]).

With this enforced downtime, there’s a bit of an opportunity to visit things from months and years past.  Aeon has some nice things about dance, so I thought it would be nice to throw some attention their way… Dig into their history for more.  A few items (starting with one of my go-to explainers):

It seems a lot of dancers have jumped into Zoom as a way to keep engaged.  Please be careful with this… LOTS of security and other issues with Zoom.  Zoombombing turned into a thing.  And you may have noticed NYC schools banned Zoom (among others).  For a serious look at issues with Zoom, check here ( https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2020/04/security_and_pr_1.html ).  For alternatives…. If you’re broadcasting a class, check out Open Broadcaster Software ( https://obsproject.com/ ) and if you’re doing things one-on-one, one more-secure option is Wire ( https://wire.com/ ).

Now that I’ve scared everyone away from Zoom, the Maryland State Arts Council will be hosting a conversation on dance with Zoom in a couple hours:


Creative Conversations: Dance
April 7th, 3 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Led by MSAC Executive Director, Ken Skrzesz
Meeting Link: https://zoom.us/j/6114214132
Meeting ID: 611 421 4132

MSAC has also launched an Emergency Grant program that applies to both organizations and individual artists.  MSAC will prioritize funding to applicants that cannot find other options.  Information here:  https://www.msac.org/grants/emergency-grant

Ok, I need to get this out into the ether so you have enough time to catch that MSAC thing.

Please BRDS and bring friends to BRDS ( https://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020 ).

Please stay home.

Please keep dancing.

Please reach out to people directly and personally.  They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you.  I will miss you.

Simple acts of kindness do matter.  Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.

If there is something I can do, please let me know.

Quick one today – United Nations calls creatives

“The United Nations (UN) needs your help in translating critical public health messages, into work that will engage and inform people across different cultures, languages, communities and platforms. The shortlisted work will reach everyone, everywhere.”

https://www.talenthouse.com/i/united-nations-global-call-out-to-creatives-help-stop-the-spread-of-covid-19


Maryland SBDC Webinar March 31 1p and 2p / a bunch of online dancing / Dance writing

Because everything has to happen at the same time….

Maryland SBDC hosting a free webinar on financial tools and resources to deal with COVID-19 (at the same time as the Americans for the Arts briefing).  Americans for the arts says they will have a replay available later, so you get to make some choices.. Information here:  https://mdsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16169

Another free online event about “new financial resources affected by COVID-19” happens March 31 at 1pm – https://mdsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16172

Maryland SBDC has also assembled a 30+ page document of resources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EAS90feseZIOXDzVbNJ1wgqkNjcNpQJzGRTAy1mUjFc/edit#heading=h.ovjboaxfcikw

And a broad collection of COVID-19 resources here: https://www.marylandsbdc.org/covid-19-assistance


Alvin Ailey has launched “Ailey All Access” – information here: https://www.alvinailey.org/ailey-all-access

Netherlands Dans Theater has launched NDTV here: https://www.ndt.nl/en/actiepaginas/ndtv.html

The San Fransisco Ballet is streaming classes – information here: https://www.sfballet.org/sf-ballet-company-class-live-stream/

Syed Sallauddin Pasha / Ability Unlimited is offering Bharatnatyam, Sufi, Yoga and Martial Arts…. on wheels classes. Announcement here: https://syedsallauddinpasha.com/online-wheelchair-dance-training-by-syed-sallauddin-pasha/


And, since we’re officially stuck at home together now, I’d like to make an appeal to the regional dance community to do some writing (for web and otherwise) and research.  Are you interested?  Do you know anyone that that would be interested? Please get in touch… lots of things to do.


BRDS: http://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020

Please get good information.

Please stay home.

Please keep dancing.

Please reach out to people directly and personally.  They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you.  I will miss you.

Simple acts of kindness do matter.  Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.

If there is something I can do, please let me know.

COVID-19 Relief Package Web Briefing March 31 3pm / DETI / Streaming things / and more….

Americans for the Arts is hosting a live briefing to share information on the COVID-19 Relief Package as it relates to arts organizations.  This is limited to 1000 participants, so register early if you intend to participate in the live event.  A replay will become available later.  Register here: https://artsu.americansforthearts.org/products/covid-19-relief-package-briefing-an-americans-for-the-arts-virtual-check-in

Vincent Thomas webcast a performance this past Friday in place of “In the Company of… Moving Dialogues II.”  Check http://vtdance.org/ for info.

Dance Educators Training Institute (DETI) 2020 (brought to you ClancyWorks/UMBC/Baltimore County Schools) is still scheduled for August 10-14.  Schedule is here: http://www.clancyworks.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2020-0325-DETI-Schedule.png

Synetic Theater (one of my personal favorites in the greater region) is streaming past productions on a pay-what-you-can basis.  Check that out here: https://synetictheater.org/synetic-streaming/  Richard 3.0 is available through April 12.  Highly recommended.

Maryland Dance Education Association has assembled a directory of online resources: https://www.mddanceed.org/online-learning-resources

Cara Ober’s (publisher of BmoreArt) personal experience with COVID-19: https://bmoreart.com/2020/03/fever-dream-symptoms-but-no-covid-19-tests-and-no-results.html


If you have a 3D printer, the National Institutes of Health has approved 3D-printed face masks ( https://3dprint.nih.gov/discover/3DPX-013238 ).  If you can help, sign up here:  https://www.wethebuilders.com/projects/11  (and a nod to OpenWorks for being great on this).

A gentle reminder that the Baltimore Regional Dance Survey (#BRDS2020) needs more participation… Please make sure you’ve completed it yourself, and share with anyone else in your dance world: http://inthedancersstudio.com/brds2020

Please get good information.

Please stay home.

Please keep dancing.

Please reach out to people directly and personally.  They will miss seeing/dancing/working with you.  I will miss you.

Simple acts of kindness do matter.  Point out beauty when you can. Bring a little joy to someone.

If there is something I can do, please let me know.

Resources for COVID-19 Pandemic

This is an evolving thing, and I can’t begin to get comprehensive, but here are some places to start, and you should start now…

       On a different subject (the pandemic medical response), if any
       of you have connections to the catering business, I have some
       quick questions I’d like answered about catering appliances. 
       Please get in touch, or have the people you know in the business
       get in touch with me, NOW.


Now some things that might help you, and places you can help others… (crisis funding works both ways…):

General information for Maryland Businesses, includes information for SBA assistance: https://govstatus.egov.com/md-coronavirus-business

Dance/USA on the recent relief bill: https://www.danceusa.org/support-dance-latest-relief-package

Dance/USA impact survey: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5506589/Coronavirus-Survey-March-2020

The National Dance Education Organization ( https://www.ndeo.org/ ) has several forum posts sharing experience and strategy. They’re also hosting seminars on teaching online through their Online Professional Development Institute (OPDI).

Frederick Artists Relief Fund (at GoFundMe): https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-to-the-frederick-artist-relief-fund

Arts Administrators of Color Network (at GoFundMe): https://www.gofundme.com/f/artsleadersfund

Patreon:  https://go.patreon.com/what-the-fund

Vimeo tips on virtual events: https://vimeo.com/enterprise/live-production-broadcast



Larger organizations (with more resources than I) are compiling bigger directories…. check these too.  A number of these include surveys to measure impact…

https://mdarts.org/news/covid-19-artist-emergency-resources/

https://covid19freelanceartistresource.wordpress.com/

https://www.danceusa.org/resources-preparing-potential-impact-coronavirus

https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9337908/coronavirus-resource-guide-music-professionals-help

https://blog.fracturedatlas.org/emergency-resources-artists-covid-19

https://www.americansforthearts.org/by-topic/disaster-preparedness/coronavirus-covid-19-resource-and-response-center

https://www.ncaper.org/

https://www.womenarts.org/funding-resources/emergencyfunds/

https://www.kickstarter.com/articles/covid-19-coronavirus-artist-resources

https://www.msac.org/news/msac-covid-19-state-emergency-statement-resources

https://npnweb.org/covid-19-resources/

https://www.artistcommunities.org/emergency-relief-programs

https://creative-capital.org/2020/03/13/list-of-arts-resources-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/feature/are-you-a-freelance-worker-or-a-small-company-in-the-arts-here-s-a-global-list-of-financial-aid-available-to-you-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic

https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/home/2020/3/22/how-can-funders-most-effectively-support-an-arts-sector-decimated-by-covid-19


And if you need some arts exposure…

https://www.dancemagazine.com/dance-performances-online-2645501079.html

https://www.stayathomefest.com/