"Absolutely fabulous" Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Musician Allison Crowe in the dressing room at the lovely Imperial Theatre, Saint John, New Brunswick, on the final night of touring with Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet - performing in "The Doorway: Scenes from Leonard Cohen".

Allison says her friend, photographer, and fellow-musician Billie Woods took a photo like this a few years back, when Alley, Billie and band were on tour. So, she's trying it out here :)

The view from backstage - Allison's piano and bench is bathed in blue light so you don't see it out front...



"Absolutely fabulous" - this description by writer and educator Lori Mayne neatly sums up the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Maritime Tour. "Had chills during the selection set to Leonard Cohen's words and music."

Here's a family portrait of the RWB on the road! (photo by Ingrid Kottke)

NB The people in this picture are having the time of their lives. You can, too :)

Dancing Days Are Here Again

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the first organization to present a theatrical or dance production of the works of Leonard Cohen, (1970s "The Shining People of Leonard Cohen"), in May, 2012, presents the World Premiere of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen", contemporary dance wedded to the words and music of Cohen, choreographed by Jorden Morris. Musician Allison Crowe performs "Hallelujah" live on-stage (voice, piano) in this new ballet's first run.

In November 2012, "The Doorway" opens in Canada's Maritime provinces - touring as part of the RWB's virtuosic quadruple bill... and the legend grows!

Allison Crowe reprises "Hallelujah" in this newest dance incarnation - and also brings to the stage new versions of "Bird on a Wire" and "Sisters of Mercy".

A sensation in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet nextt takes to the stage in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and Saint John, NB.

Allison Crowe is loving the opportunity to again collaborate with the amazing RWB - performing songs of Leonard Cohen :)

"Here comes Allison Crowe's piano for tonight's RWB ballet performance at the Confederation Centre (of the Arts, Charlottetown, PEI) tweets Darcy Campbell about this photo


Andrea Nemetz, Dance Critic for the Halifax Chronicle-Herald, attended opening night of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Maritime Tour - and has this to say about the Leonard Cohen-rooted ballet in the program:

"RWB technique, emotion dazzle in Halifax return

'The Doorway: Scenes from Leonard Cohen' was the evening’s only departure from classical ballet. Choreographed by Jorden Morris, the emotionally charged piece was the story of lovers in different stages of relationships told through Cohen’s music and words.

The Letters (sung on tape by Cohen and Jennifer Warnes) showcased a man and a woman desperate for communication, eagerly anticipating missives from lovers, dismayed or elated at their receipt, leaping over chairs or tables or draping themselves miserably over the objects.

Bird on a Wire, sung by Allison Crowe, was a duet in which the couple were achingly and joyously in love, while Sisters of Mercy, also sung by Crowe, showcased the supportive friendship between a group of women.

Since you Asked, a poem from a CD, was a duet for two men, powerful and full of loneliness.

And while the glorious sounds of Crowe’s signature rendition of Hallelujah filled the room, Sophia Lee transfixed the audience with the poignancy of her performance."

Full ballet review @ http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/166277-rwb-technique-emotion-dazzle-in-halifax-return

The Royal Winnipeg Ballet paid homage to a Canadian legend in The Doorway: Scenes from Leonard Cohen during its performance in Halifax. (Bruce Monk photo)

Double Dip of Leonard Cohen Ballet News

Marvellous and mysterious blogger DrHGuy, miner of many Leonard Cohen-faceted diamonds, today presents a post de deux on Canada’s Royal Winnipeg Ballet and the recent engagement of musician Allison Crowe - performing Cohen's "Hallelujah" with the RWB:

http://1heckofaguy.com/2012/06/16/allison-crowe-gets-the-pointe  +

http://drhguy.posterous.com/ballet-with-allison-crowe

RWB's Leonard Cohen Ballet Success Rolls North in New Program

"Leonard Cohen's music comes to life at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet", CBC News reports earlier this month. After profoundly moving audiences during its world premiere run at Manitoba's Centennial Concert Hall, this weekend "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen" rolls into Northern Manitoba for performances in: The Pas, May 25; Flin Flon, May 26; and Thompson, MB, May 27. In these communities, the Jorden Morris-choreographed "Doorway" is on a program with Peter Quanz's "In Tandem" and Brian Macdonald's "Pas D'Action".

In 1959, it was Brian Macdonald's "Les Whoops-De-Doo" that the RWB premiered in Flin Flon. And, it's another Macdonald creation, 1970's "The Shining People of Leonard Cohen", which premiered in Paris, France, that marked the first time a professional theatre or dance company produced the works of Canada's iconic songsmith on stage.

Of the "Shining People" production, cultural commentator Max Wyman notes: "That was absolutely in tune with the zeitgeist. But it was intriguing stuff as well. People loved it." (More from Wyman, and many more people on the inspiring story of the "constant phoenix" that is the RWB can be enjoyed in the award-winning documentary "40 Years of One Night Stands: The Story of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet".)

Of the newest ballet to the words and music of Cohen, Alison Mayes of The Winnipeg Free Press recounts: "Last year, Winnipeg's Jorden Morris was asked to choreograph a pas de deux to Leonard Cohen's soulful 'Dance Me to the End of Love' for the nationally televised Genie Awards. It was so well received that the Royal Winnipeg Ballet commissioned Morris to create a longer work to songs by the legendary Cohen. The 44-year-old dancemaker, who teaches at the RWB School and created the company's hits Peter Pan and Moulin Rouge" now is opening "The Doorway".

In it, Corps de Ballet member Sophia Lee, (paired with Jaime Vargas for the Genies sensation), dances "Hallelujah" - to the voice and piano of Allison Crowe. On opening, Crowe spoke with CBC Manitoba Scene Producer Andrea Ratuski: "I feel so humbled and so grateful to be a part of this. This is such an amazing company to be able to work with and I'm just so excited. It's so beautiful to be able to watch Sophia dance -- and all the other dancers, too -- all the songs. They translate so beautifully. You can kind of see the lyrics within the dance. It's gorgeous."

RWB's Sophia Lee dances to Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" w. Allison Crowe onstage (CBC News - screen-cap)

Feelings shared by the audience. "Spine-tingling" That's how Holly Harris, dance reviewer for the Winnipeg Free Press, describes the ballet performance of "Hallelujah". Dan Aysan, owner of Winnipeg's renowned Selim's Antiques, and RWB season ticket-holder for much of 26 years posts: "Well... the Royal Winnipeg Ballet surprised me last night. Everything I had ever wanted them to do was done! They focused on the dance and not overwhelming production... and it captivated. The lighting and sound production were fantastic... but rarely did they overshadow the dancers themselves. 'Luminous' was astonishing and EXACTLY the type of work I hope the RWB considers doing more of. 'The Doorway' was a wild mix of dance, live music and spoken word that surprised me with it's depth and simplicity (how often do you get dancers' movements, Leonard Cohen's words & music with a smattering of Peter Gzowski's voice mashed up on stage ?!?)"

CHVN Radio's Adrienne Daniels attended the opening, and comments: "the triumph of this performance was Mr. Cohen himself. He wasn't there, but the RWB used audio from interviews he did regarding the songs being danced to and it gave such an incredible insight into the performance that it took it to that magical level. Where spirit and art connect and you FEEL the music. You feel it in your soul, its tangible with your hands and you can literally taste it.

"I was witness to one of the most moving spectacles of human expression that I've ever had the pleasure of seeing. My soul took flight for over 2 hours as I watched the poetic nature of the human form in motion; dancing, swaying, fighting, loving, understanding and confusing all at once."

Details of "The Doorway", "In Tandem" and "Pas D'Action" performances this weekend, (to recorded music), can be found on the RWB's site @ http://www.rwb.org/

Hallelujah ballet

"Spine-tingling."

That's how Holly Harris, dance reviewer for the Winnipeg Free Press, describes this performance of "Hallelujah".

Corps de Ballet member Sophia Lee, fresh from a lead role as "First" in the Royal Winnipeg Ballet's production of Mark Godden's "Svengali", here dances Leonard Cohen's modern song classic. Allison Crowe sings and plays piano on-stage with Lee in the world premiere of "The Doorway", choreographed by Jorden Morris. RWB Soloist Jo-Ann Gudilin (nee Sundermeier), "Mother" in "Svengali", dons the blue dress to perform "Hallelujah" with Crowe on alternate dates.

(CBC News - screen-caps)

Get with the program

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet published a lovely "Playbill" size program for its "Pure Ballet" production. Here's the page therein containing the bio of Allison Crowe, and, the person who made the music that made the dance, "The Doorway" - Leonard Cohen!

click on the image to read full-size

Chocolodka at the Dance

Today is the final performance of the debut run of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen" and the season finale for Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Following this Mother's Day performance of "Pure Ballet" we salute music, dance, motherhood, you and me, a dog named Boo, and all else, with this special elixir - Chocolodka. Na zdrowie! Sláinte!

Visit "1 Heck of a Guy" for:

The Heck Of A Guy
Illustrated, Explicated, Annotated, & Unexpurgated
Dishwasher Safe, Dishwasher Dependent Formulation
For The Ultimate Solvent Of Anxiety, Woe, & Inhibitions,
The Good Time-Enhancing, Courage-Bolstering,
Someone’s Gonna Get Lucky Tonight-Assuring
Quintessential Chocolate Vodka:
CHOCOLODKA

And, for the instructional inspirational:

How To Make The Original Chocolodka – The Video

NB pictured in this post is Chocolodka: Travellers Edition - the creation of which, in an hotel room, requires some variance from the traditional methodology - though the ingredients remain true to the original recipe, and, according to all involved, optimal standards for Chocolodka have been maintained. Furthermore, no one was harmed in the making of this product. In fact, quite the contrary :)

Giving credit - where credit is due

Here's a page from the program for "Pure Ballet" - noting the credits for "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen". Since Allison Crowe is performing onstage - well, she's not in position to take photos! So, we'll look for other artifacts, such as this one, to bring us all to the dance...

Credits - click on image

I'm just back from trekking half-way 'cross Canada and back, to be present for the public debut of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen". This new dance piece is exciting and inspiring, and part of a brilliant mixed program, "Pure Ballet" presented by Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet.

After unpacking, and sitting back down at my home computer, I came upon a sour review of the art and entertainment in a newspaper item. As it did not reflect the experience shared by thousands of people this week in Winnipeg, it, and some friendly encouragement by a fellow LeonardCohenFiles.com forum member, I've put my hand to at least trying to offer a glimpse into what it's like... amazing, wonderful, magic... read on, if it be your will :)

Exciting Ballet News

Tonight is RWB's World Premiere of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen"

CBC Arts Correspondent and SCENE Producer Andrea Ratuski attended dress rehearsal, and files this report on the RWB's "Pure Ballet" and the World Premiere of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen".

Leonard Cohen's music comes to life at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet



As you'd imagine with the words and music of Leonard Cohen, there's great range and variety in the program - so, consider this as being treated to a flake...

And, heading into soundcheck at Manitoba's 2305-seat Centennial Concert Hall - here's the view from the sound-board.

Tonight is the opening of "Pure Ballet" - and the World Premiere of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen". This ballet, choreographed by Jorden Morris, invites us to explore the words and music of Leonard Cohen. Allison Crowe performs "Hallelujah" in this piece, and the song is danced by Sophia Lee in performances on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Jo-Ann Gudilin (nee Sundermeier) dances the role on Thursday and Saturday.

A Day Off In the 'Peg

Sunday.

All is quiet and still inside the Founder's Studio of Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet. Allison Crowe is off - enjoying the pleasures of this city at the heart of Canada. Tomorrow - dancers and musicians resume rehearsals leading up to this week's World Premiere of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen".

Dancing Days - Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet

Here's the first back-stage look into "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen". Says Allison: "I think this is more half yoga than ballet - regardless, the pants are entirely RWB ;) in the spirit of things".

"I wish you could all see this - what a beautiful experience - the RWB is amazing!" (Allison's tweet/post following first rehearsal with all the musicians and dancers.)

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet, the first organization to present a theatrical or dance production of the works of Leonard Cohen, (1970s "The Shining People of Leonard Cohen"), this May, 2012, presents the World Premiere of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen", a contemporary dance piece based on the words and music of Cohen, choreographed by Jorden Morris. Musician Allison Crowe performs "Hallelujah" live on-stage (voice, piano) in this new ballet.

"Doorway" Opening Soon: Ballet to Leonard Cohen Words & Music

The World Premiere of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen" nears, and there's now fuller word from Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet on the spoken word and musical components to this contemporary dance.

The ballet will include selections of Leonard Cohen interviews as spoken word recordings, along with: "The Letters" sung by Leonard Cohen and Jennifer Warnes from the CD "Dear Heather"; "Bird on a Wire" performed live by the Winnipeg-based duo of Keith and Renee; "Hallelujah" performed live by bi-coastal Canadian Allison Crowe; "Since You Asked", poem recited by Leonard Cohen from the CD "Born to the Breed" A Tribute to Judy Collins; and "Sisters of Mercy" recorded live by US singer-songwriter Cris Williamson on the CD "Circle of Friends".

And, from the RWB, here's some details on the dance and its inspiration :

The Doorway: Scenes from Leonard Cohen

Beautifully set to the music of Canadian songwriting legend Leonard Cohen, Jorden Morris’s new ballet The Doorway: Scenes from Leonard Cohen explores the complexities of relationships across the threshold to love and longing. Initially started as a sketch, Morris expanded the piece into five separate dance vignettes that each tell their own story.

Morris previously choreographed to Cohen’s music in a piece he created for the 31st Annual Genie Awards, titled Dance Me to the End of Love, which was performed by RWB Corps de Ballet member Sophia Lee and former Principal Dancer Jaime Vargas. Morris explains he titled his latest piece The Doorway after a quote of Cohen’s with which he personally identified.

“Cohen says that in his own curious, magical universe (his creative process) is a kind of a doorway. He explains that he can’t really speak too much about it because he can’t quite put his finger on it, except to say that it is a doorway. He has to open it carefully otherwise what is beyond that isn’t accessible to him and it’s something he takes very seriously,” said Morris. “It’s the same for me as when I choreograph.”

Canadian songstress Allison Crowe will perform Cohen’s Hallelujah live during the show, while local Winnipeg duo Keith & Renée will sing Bird on a Wire.

Royal Winnipeg Ballet Presents Open Rehearsal of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen"

Allison Crowe flies to Winnipeg, Manitoba this week to join in rehearsals with dancers and musicians - readying for the World Premiere of "The Doorway - Scenes from Leonard Cohen". This contemporary ballet, choreographed by Jorden Morris, together with Carmina Burana and Luminous forms the RWB's season finale - a mixed-repertoire program, "Pure Ballet" - from May 9 - 13, 2012.

Canada's Royal Winnipeg Ballet is hosting an open, free, rehearsal - on Friday, May 4 at 7 pm. This preview of "The Doorway" will include a performance of Cohen's "Hallelujah". Sophia Lee is dancer, and Allison Crowe sings and performs the song on piano.

This special event takes place in the Founder's Studio of the RWB building at 380 Graham Street. To reserve your seat, please call 204-956-2792 or 1-800-667-4792.