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!

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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.