I promised big news on Monday, but just got the official word today and can now post about it! Marisa and Sophie guessed right–I’m going to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week!

I’m reporting on the whole event late this week and the next for an online fashion website. For people who don’t know much about the event: basically designers show their lines for next season, and tons of famous people come out to see the shows and hit the after parties. It’s completely invitation only, which is why I’m so excited to finally have an invitation. I’ve always dreamed of attending Fashion Week, so I am thrilled about it!

Of course, if permitted, I’ll write all about it!

Monday evening an e-mail from my friend Philip (the blogger at Oberon’s Grove) popped in my box. “Would you like to see ‘Prodigal Son’ again?” he wrote. I immediately tossed all of my evening plans out the window and agreed to meet him around 7 p.m. outside of State Theater. I’d seen the ballet on Sunday afternoon, and it was worth seeing it again.

My afternoon yesterday (Tuesday) was spent pouring over old issues of dance magazines. I stopped briefly at Starbucks for a coffee–a stranger blew me a kiss through the glass window (so many weirdos in New York). But like any day that I go to the ballet, I was constantly checking my watch.

After meeting Philip we waited in the lobby and he picked up his tickets. We were given the best seats in the whole house: front and center of the orchestra. Before curtain we whispered gossip about dancers, and I eavesdropped on the critic sitting two seats away who was writing on assignment for Ballet Review.

The show opened with Balanchine’s “Square Dance.” Megan Fairchild and Nikolaj Hubbe were the leads again. I adore Hubbe and think he’s embodies the perfect Balanchine dancer. In his pensive variation I noticed his exaggerated second position arms, and rounded hands perfectly done the Balanchine style.

When the lights went up after Hubbe’s curtain calls, Philip and I looked at each other.

“So sad.”

“Depressing.” We said simultaneously about his upcoming departure from City Ballet.

“Prodigal Son” followed intermission, and being so close to the stage made the performance more special. Just like Sunday, when Daniel Ulbricht jumped for the first time the audience gasped. I found last nights performance a little more touching. I began to fidget to keep from crying. After curtain calls I turned and Philip had tears falling down his face.

We went to the Promenade to people watch, but both of us felt so heavy and emotional after “Prodigal Son.” The final piece after intermission was “Four Seasons.” One of my favorites, Sterling Hyltin, was in “Winter” but I wished she was in another season so that she could stay on stage longer. I was extremely impressed by Ashley Bouder, she is such a star in every way imaginable. I know I mentioned him when I wrote about Sunday’s performance, but Antonio Carmena is a new favorite. The other male dancers were so-so last night.

After the show Philip and I left out the set of doors that all the dancers exit through (I kept my eyes peeled). Then I thanked Philip profusely for the tickets and hailed a cab home.

1. I distinctly remember Cedar Lake dance company founder Benoit Swan Pouffer saying “Of course, I’m not going to    start doing it.” And by “it” he meant “blogging.”

So I was surprised this afternoon when I recieved an e-mail from Cedar Lake announcing their new blog, readable here.  I was also surprised to see that Mr. Benoit Swan Pouffer penned their first post.

He writes:

I’m excited that we’re putting together our first blog. During the creative process you’ll be hearing from the dancers, the designers and my collaborators. I really want this to be interactive so leave comments or questions if you have them.

It will be interesting to see how often and how much they will post.

2. Thanks to friend and fellow-blogger Philip, I’m getting to see Daniel Ulbricht perform in “Prodigal Son” again tonight! I’m so thankful for Philip’s kindness.

3. I’m depressed that the NY Phil’s upcoming concert featuring Tchaikovsky’s Symphony no. 6 is sold out! I was on the fence about going for several weeks, because the 6th makes me bawl like a child.

4. The upcoming NYCB performance schedule includes “The Chairman Dances” with Abi Stafford (gosh I love John Adams), a new Wheeldon ballet, “Stars and Stripes” (with Daniel!), “Apollo” and Kathryn Morgan debuting in “Flower Festival pas de deux.” I’m going to go absolutely broke and if I can swing it, will be in the theater as much as possible.  

Last week I got word that Joshua Bell, who’s set to perform with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra  in my hometown, recently switched from playing the Mendelssohn violin concerto the Tchaikovsky.

As a lover of all things Tchaikovsky, and the biggest Joshua Bell fan, my face turned a leafy shade of green upon hearing this news. How miserable it is to be away from Mobile when my favorite violinist is performing! It was halfway bearable when he was only playing the Mendelssohn (it’s beautiful but not as grand as the Tchaikovsky), but now I’m fuming. In addition I own and studied different versions of the Tchaikovsky violin concerto no. 1, and above all Bell’s recording is the best.

But I shouldn’t be too upset. I can’t reveal everything yet, but I’ve been given the opportunity to hear Bell without even being in Mobile (or even at a concert)…more news on that later. I promise.

While doing research, I came across an article published in the late 70s in the New York Daily News titled “Gelsey and Misha toe to toe.” According to the writers, Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland were rivals–I had no idea! I was intrigued by their feud. An excerpt from the article recounted an on-stage incident during “Giselle”…

During the second act pas de deux, Kirkland, whether by accident or design, gave Baryshnikov a swift kick to the rear–a gesture that was noted with obvious glee by the audience.

The reporter writes later that during the curtain calls, Kirkland was given her flowers and she offered a rose to Baryshnikov. When he reached to take it, she tossed it into the audience and ran off stage!

I posted previously that I’d have good news today, but it looks like I’ll have to wait until Wednesday! I arrived at my appointment this evening in midtown, waited thirty minutes and after a few phone calls the person I was to meet with had to reschedule everything!

Luckily I’m patient…

I spent another afternoon at State Theater taking in yet another ballet from the fourth ring.  This performance was a little special: Daniel Ulbricht would debut in Balanchine’s “Prodigal Son.” My sister Dione and I met Daniel when he came to Mobile, and it was his kind invitation that allowed us to go backstage at State Theater and attend a private NYCB rehearsal. It’s always fun to see people I know performing, especially when I think they deserve the attention.

All my fellow bloggers would be at the show too, and before our little planned get-together, I spotted them briefly before the show. In the subway I caught Philip walking to State Theater and later spoke with Evan, blogger at “Dancing Perfectly Free.” She introduced me to her co-blogger Allison. While climbing to the fourth ring, I chatted with Philip and Wei again.

“There are white slips of paper in the programs,” said Philip, which could only mean an unexpected cast change.

“Oh my gosh, please don’t let it be Daniel,” I said. I learned later that it was the next worst case scenario: my favorite, Abi Stafford, would not be dancing the lead in “Square Dance.” I pouted.

Despite her absence, I loved “Square Dance.” Balanchine’s intentions were so evident, especially for me since I’ve danced in more than a few square dances before. I’m not kidding. It’s a long story. Megan Fairchild was Abi’s replacement, and she is such a beautiful dancer. She charms the audience with every glance.

I always adore watching Nikolaj Hubbe perform. Recalling that his farewell performance is upon us, I grew slightly depressed.

After intermission the curtain rose on “Prodigal Son.” Daniel did such a fantastic job. The audience gasped and clapped prematurely for his super-high jumps and endless turns. The end of the piece was so moving, as he climbed slowly into his fathers arms, I understood why audiences have loved the ballet for years.

Daniel and Teresa Reichlen (”The Siren”) got several curtain calls. When Daniel took the stage alone the whole fourth ring cheered excitedly. I raced out to the Promenade for the blogger get-together, where Philip, Evan, Taylor, and Allison were assembled with a few blog readers. We discussed the show and one of the blog fans said before leaving: “I’m going to be in Daniel heaven all week!”

Last on the program was “Four Seasons.” One of my favorites, Sterling Hyltin was the lead in “Winter” and I was really fond of Antonio Carmena in “Fall.” He deserved all of his applause.

After the show, Tonya and I went to post-show dinner at P.J. Clarke’s across the street from State Theater (we spotted Justin Peck walking in the plaza on our way!). Between our chats, we kept peeking across the restaurant windows at the stage door to see if any of our favorite famous dancers stepped out into the evening.

Since my plane landed in New York my life has been unbelievable. I’ve checked off more items on my “Things to do before I die list” in three weeks than I have in seven years. Opportunities plop in my lap without warning.

I never imagined that my average day would allow me to spend every afternoon at Lincoln Center reading old dance magazines, interviewing at national publications, hitting the ballet, and having dinner with friends laughing well until midnight.

I keep thinking I’m going to wake up.

This week, another huge opportunity presented itself. I can’t say what it is exactly until I get the official go-ahead on Monday afternoon. But if I do get that go-ahead, another thing on my list will be completed. I can give you a hint: it involves some on and off camera reporting during a major twice a year “invitation only” event in New York city. I will keep you posted (and my fingers crossed).

So who’s excited about tomorrow? I am! Don’t forget that Philip has arranged a little blogger-get together on the Promenade after the second intermission following “Prodigal Son” at tomorrow’s matinee performance at NYCB! Everyone is invited (if they have a ticket to the show of course)!

“You’ve got to be in shape to live in this city,” my dad said once as we trumped through New York on vacation. That might be true. I’ve spent all week climbing up hills, chasing buses in heavy boots, stretching my arm to grasp overhead bars on crowded subways, and dashing up underground staircases in stations.

Yesterday afternoon I came home with a pain in my left shoulder, and my back muscles were sore. I’m learning that sometimes the commute is like an obstacle course.