Get to know Ladysmith Black Mambazo

World music superstars Ladysmith Black Mambazo are coming to Dallas on April 11 at McFarlin Auditorium. With that in mind, I thought a couple of insightful articles about the group would help you get to know them better.

-A great interview and review of Ladysmith's Long Walk to Freedom album by JazzReview.com.

-About.com gives a nice overview of the band and their history.

-View an excerpt of their DVD, On Tip Toe, on this site.

-And finally, Ladysmith's own site has a wealth of sound clips, video clips and biographical data.

The Dallas Morning News' Momix Review

The Dallas Morning News' Margaret Putnam wrote a glowing review of Lunar Sea:

"Somewhere in a remote galaxy, strange creatures swoop skywards, dart, tumble and disappear in a flash. That is the world of Lunar Sea, Moses Pendleton's new creation for MOMIX, an 85-minute visual and auditory fantasy of life far, far away.

Like Mr. Pendleton's Opus Cactus that TITAS brought here two years ago, but grander and more mysterious in scale, Lunar Sea is a masterpiece of illusion."

Click here for the full review.

Audience reaction to Momix

After this past weekend's Momix performances, several audience members chimed in with their reviews of the show.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRAVO!!

The MOMIX show on Friday was absolutely wonderful--in fact, my wife claims it was the finest performances she's ever seen (I guess she forgot the Moscow Cat Circus my daughter and son-in-law took us to see over Christmas--that's a joke). We had seen MOMIX before but never at this level. By the way, I called people the next day to tell them to get tickets for Saturday's performance--which they did.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Momix was Awesome!!

Just wanted to send you a quick note to say how much we enjoyed MoMix. It was awesome!! Once again, TITAS pulls through with what has come to be expected: an A+++++ performance!!

Thanks again.

Looking forward to Command Performance and Parsons Dance Company coming up soon!

Moses Pendleton comments on Momix's "Lunar Sea"

Momix founder and choreographer gives his insight to creating Lunar Sea (in Dallas for the first time THIS WEEKEND- March 24 & 25)

"I was basically trying to devise a ballet as if you were witnessing it on the Moon with one-sixth of the Earth's gravity by using various tricks and techniques to elevate the body. The reality is that much of it is very difficult physical pas de deux partnering work."

"Unomathemba" - Ladysmith Black Mambazo

"TITAS is presenting Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Tuesday, April 11. ONE NIGHT ONLY!!

These South African vocal legends have won a Grammy, have appeared with Paul Simon on the groundbreaking 'Graceland' album, and have become the most popular African vocal ensemble performing today.

Check out a track from them:
"Unomathemba" - Ladysmith Black Mambazo:

Command Performance dancer websites

The 2006 Command Performance of International Ballet is approaching quickly! What has been called, "the Dance Event of the Year in Dallas" will take place April 22 at Fair Park Music Hall. For more info, go to the TITAS website.

Several of the world-class performers have their own websites where you can find out about anything from the career resumes to their favorite color.

Check them out:

Paloma Herrera- Principal, American Ballet Theatre

Rasta Thomas- International Ballet Star

Danny Tidwell- Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Other dancers are profiled on their company's websites:

Aleksandar Antonijevic- Principal, National Ballet of Canada

Xiomara Reyes- Principal, ABT

Adrienne Canterna- Complexions Contemporary Ballet

Joaquin De Luz- Principal, New York City Ballet

Sonia Rodriguez- Principal, Nat'l Ballet of Canada

Feel free to post some of your own feedback and links to the dancers or about the Command Performance!

An excellent article about Momix & "Lunar Sea"

For some more background on the visually stunning dance company Momix and their newest full-length piece Lunar Sea, check out this article from The Boston Globe.

Remember, TITAS is presenting Lunar Sea on March 24 & 25- visit www.titas.org for more information.

Moses Pendleton's haunting ''Lunar Sea" begins with eight glowing, curvaceous one-legged creatures emerging from behind a scrim covered with projections of sunflowers, bumblebees, and moonscapes. They tilt back and forth, then lift off, leaving gravity behind to float cloudlike a few feet above the stage...
Click for the full article

2006 Command Performance Roster & Repertoire

The roster for this year's "Dance Event of the YEar" is set! This star-studded lineup will set the Fair Park Music Hall stage on fire- don't miss the Command Performance of International Ballet on Saturday, April 22 at 7:00 PM. Tickets available at www.titas.org.

ROSTER:

Rasta Thomas (International Ballet Star)
Paloma Hererra (American Ballet Theater)
Dancing Don Quixote Pas de Deux
Verano Porteno Pas de Deux


Danny Tidwell (Complexions Contemporary Ballet)
Adrienne Canterna (Complexions Contemporary Ballet)
Corsaire Pas de Deux
Debut work by Dwight Rhoden

Joaquin de Luz (New York City Ballet)
Xiomara Reyes (American Ballet Theatre)
La Sylphide
Diana and Actaeon

Aleksandar Antonijevic (National Ballet of Canada)
Sonia Rodriguez (National Ballet of Canada)
Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux
Romeo and Juliet Balcony Pas de Deux

Guest appearance by MOMIX

A satisfied "Sing, Sing, Sing!" fan

What a GRAND evening of entertainment TITAS presented with Ken Peplowski and the Kingdom of Swing Big Band! The musical tribute to Benny Goodman could only have been more complete if Mr. Goodman himself were alive and on that stage last night performing.

Mr. Peplowski’s heartfelt, artistic expression was absolutely delightful to experience, not to mention his charm and natural ability to captivate the audience. Experiencing the interaction between the orchestra and the audience, as well as being the band leader, was most delightful to be a part of.

From my observations, the majority of the audience would agree. During the entire production, if the roars of approval weren’t enough, you could watch heads bobbing in rhythm, hands tapping on armrests or the tops of their legs, and feet that just couldn’t be still. Considering the average age in attendance last night, there sure was a lot of swingin’ going on!!! (You might suggest someone at McFarlin check to make sure the seats are still bolted down!!)

TITAS was able to present an evening full of pleasant memories from a golden age of the past for the older audience, while at the same time give the younger generation the opportunity to experience that big band sound first hand. Kudos to TITAS!

Please continue to give your approval and support to that type of exceptional, revitalizing, musical production.

Congratulations! Job well done!

BoccaTango review

HELLO,

I AM BUBBLING FROM A FABULOUS PERFORMANCE OF THAT DIVERSIFIED ARGENTINE GROUP OF TALENTED FOLKS.
THEIR DANCING AND VOICE RENDITIONS OF UPBEAT LATINA MUSICA OFFERED
SHARLENE AND I AN EVENING WE WILL CHERISH.

YOU ONLY PICK WINNERS!