Dance

San Francisco Ballet Artistic Director Helgi Tomasson will conclude his tenure in the job in mid-2022. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

SF Ballet director Helgi Tomasson to step down in 2022

Choreographer has championed new works and classics since joining company in 1985

 

Sasha De Sola and Tiit Helimets appear in “Diamonds” from George Balanchine’s “Jewels,” on Program 4 of San Francisco Ballet’s 2021 virtual season. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

SF Ballet adapts to COVID’s challenging footing

Dancers stay in shape preparing for 2021 digital season

 

B-Boy Spaghetti of Norway was among the international artists taking part in the world premiere of “Isolation in Humanity,” a collaboration commissioned by the International Hip Hop DanceFest festival showcasing b-boying, popping, krump, house, and contemporary dance. (Photo courtesy Ekopics)

Performers pop, lock, spin and sit at International Hip Hop DanceFest Saturday

Spinning, popping and flipping — and at times sitting — performers in…

 

Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s Robert Burns Lowman and Chloé Watson perform while incorporating COVID safety protocols at Mori Point in Pacifica. (Courtesy Vin Eiamvuthikom)

Performing arts groups surviving pandemic’s challenges

Local organizations weathering storm with diligent budgeting, creative programming

Peninsula Ballet Theatre’s Robert Burns Lowman and Chloé Watson perform while incorporating COVID safety protocols at Mori Point in Pacifica. (Courtesy Vin Eiamvuthikom)
The San Francisco International Arts Festival will present performances this weekend outdoors at Fort Mason, including on the Parade Ground, Eucalyptus Grove and Black Point Battery. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

SF International Arts Festival wins health department approval for weekend performances

Rules allow no more than 50 people at outdoor Fort Mason performances

The San Francisco International Arts Festival will present performances this weekend outdoors at Fort Mason, including on the Parade Ground, Eucalyptus Grove and Black Point Battery. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
The San Francisco International Arts Festival presents Nkechi Emeruwa in “Licensed to Drive While Black” at 1 p.m. Oct. 24. (Courtesy photo)

SF International Arts fest goes on with outdoor staging at Fort Mason

Social distanced dance, music and theater slated for Oct. 24-25

The San Francisco International Arts Festival presents Nkechi Emeruwa in “Licensed to Drive While Black” at 1 p.m. Oct. 24. (Courtesy photo)
Presenters of the huge, colorful Carnaval festival and parade – which typically happens in the Mission in May – have scheduled a health and resource fair on Sept. 5-6 to help the Latino community deal with problems caused by the pandemic. (Courtesy photo)

Carnaval hosts health and resource fair

Beloved festival directs energy toward helping Latino community

Presenters of the huge, colorful Carnaval festival and parade – which typically happens in the Mission in May – have scheduled a health and resource fair on Sept. 5-6 to help the Latino community deal with problems caused by the pandemic. (Courtesy photo)
San Francisco Ballet is streaming Cathy Marston’s “Snowblind,” a highlight of the troupe’s 2018 Unbound programming of new works. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

Stream coronavirus blues away with classical, dance

Regular online offerings from ballet, symphony, choral groups and much more

San Francisco Ballet is streaming Cathy Marston’s “Snowblind,” a highlight of the troupe’s 2018 Unbound programming of new works. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)
Children’s Musical Theater San Jose kicks off today’s virtual concert and fundraiser for a pavilion in San Jose’s St. James Park. (Courtesy photo)

May Day for the Arts promotes South Bay pavilion project

Friends of Levitt Pavilion San Jose hosts community concert

Children’s Musical Theater San Jose kicks off today’s virtual concert and fundraiser for a pavilion in San Jose’s St. James Park. (Courtesy photo)
Joshua Thake, far left, performs with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. (Courtesy Zoran Jelenic)

Ballet’s beloved comic Trocks prance into town

Veteran male dance parody troupe delights old and new fans

  • Mar 8, 2020
Joshua Thake, far left, performs with Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo. (Courtesy Zoran Jelenic)
Joseph Walsh, top, and Esteban Hernandez dazzled in San Francisco Ballet’s production of Balanchine’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

Balanchine, Shakespeare’s charming ‘Dream’ at SF Ballet

Bard’s comedy comes to life in lovely, funny dance version

Joseph Walsh, top, and Esteban Hernandez dazzled in San Francisco Ballet’s production of Balanchine’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)
Cellist Maya Beiser and dancer Wendy Whelan appear in “The Day” at Herbst Theatre. (Courtesy Hayim Heron)

Dance in ‘The Day’ lacks urgency

Beiser, Whelan, Lang, Childs collaboration feels self-couscious

Cellist Maya Beiser and dancer Wendy Whelan appear in “The Day” at Herbst Theatre. (Courtesy Hayim Heron)
Daiane Lopes da Silva appears in Kinetech Arts’ “AI Sensorium.” (Courtesy Weidong Yang)

‘AI Sensorium’ takes on the technological age

Kinetech Arts dancers, designers aim to show dangers of digital era

Daiane Lopes da Silva appears in Kinetech Arts’ “AI Sensorium.” (Courtesy Weidong Yang)
San Francisco Performances presents Paul Taylor Dance Company, locally premiering “Concertiana” (from left, Lee Duveneck, Eran Brugge and George Smallwood are pictured) on Program A. (Courtesy Paul B. Goode)

Paul Taylor Dance Co. celebrates its late founder

Michael Novak takes reins of acclaimed contemporary troupe

San Francisco Performances presents Paul Taylor Dance Company, locally premiering “Concertiana” (from left, Lee Duveneck, Eran Brugge and George Smallwood are pictured) on Program A. (Courtesy Paul B. Goode)
At center, Christian Burns carries Sarah Woods-LaDue, and, from left, Sonja Dale, Shannon Kurashige and Megan Kurashige appear in “Just Ahead is Darkness” at Z Space. (Courtesy Stephen Texeira)

‘Just Ahead is Darkness’ looks at love, loss and memory

Sharp & Fine premieres poignant ‘dance play’ at Z Space

At center, Christian Burns carries Sarah Woods-LaDue, and, from left, Sonja Dale, Shannon Kurashige and Megan Kurashige appear in “Just Ahead is Darkness” at Z Space. (Courtesy Stephen Texeira)
San Francisco Ballet’s Yuan Yuan Tan and Luke Ingham are pictured in Liam Scarlett’s “Hummingbird” in 2014. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

SF Ballet changes program in wake of Liam Scarlett misconduct allegations

English choreographer has been suspended from London’s Royal Ballet

San Francisco Ballet’s Yuan Yuan Tan and Luke Ingham are pictured in Liam Scarlett’s “Hummingbird” in 2014. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)
Alexander Reneff-Olson, Daniel Deivison-Oliveira, Frances Chung, Max Cauthorn and Steven Morse appeared opening night in San Francisco Ballet’s “Cinderella.” (Erik Tomasson)

SF Ballet enchants with ‘Cinderella’

Troupe has fun in glitzy, lovely Wheeldon revival

Alexander Reneff-Olson, Daniel Deivison-Oliveira, Frances Chung, Max Cauthorn and Steven Morse appeared opening night in San Francisco Ballet’s “Cinderella.” (Erik Tomasson)
From left, Megan and Shannon Kurashige, Sonja Dale and Sarah Dionne Woods-LaDue appear in Sharp & Fine’s “Just Ahead is Darkness” at Z Space from Feb. 7-9. (Courtesy RJ Muna)

Winter 2020 Arts Preview: Dance

Local choreographers and esteemed troupes of international renown bring work to Bay Area stages

From left, Megan and Shannon Kurashige, Sonja Dale and Sarah Dionne Woods-LaDue appear in Sharp & Fine’s “Just Ahead is Darkness” at Z Space from Feb. 7-9. (Courtesy RJ Muna)
Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company is a favorite at the San Francisco Movement Arts Festival. (Courtesy Robin Fadtke)

Dancing women light up Grace Cathedral

SF Movement Arts Festival hosts hundreds of local artists in majestic church

Lily Cai Chinese Dance Company is a favorite at the San Francisco Movement Arts Festival. (Courtesy Robin Fadtke)
Yuan Yuan Tan and Vitor Luiz in the pas de deux from Yuri Possokhov’s “Bells” were highlights of San Francisco Ballet’s 2020 opening gala concert. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)

Helgi Tomasson kicks off 35th season with SF Ballet

Veterans Tan, Luiz sizzle in show of new, classic dances

Yuan Yuan Tan and Vitor Luiz in the pas de deux from Yuri Possokhov’s “Bells” were highlights of San Francisco Ballet’s 2020 opening gala concert. (Courtesy Erik Tomasson)