Dance on the Hudson: top picks from the Battery Dance Festival

Pori Dance Company in Songs

Span Dance Company in Agocha Davies' Harmonic Ascend

Focus Dance Company in Tsai Hsi Hung's Self-Portrait

Kailei Sin in who, what, when, where, and why?

Lucas Crew's Minsu Kim

Julie Crothers in Secondhand

By Carla Escoda, 22 August 2024

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“frenzied bursts of energy, arms furiously slicing the air, bodies contorted near the ground”

Reviewed at Battery Dance, New York City on 11 August 2024

Mixed Programme

Pori Dance Company

Span Dance Company

A'nó:wara Dance Theatre

Focus Dance Company

wee dance company

Return to the Forest is a magical experience at Sadler’s Wells East

Maggie Foyer, 28th May

Gregory Maqoma’s immersive Return to the Forest delighted a captivated audience at Sadler’s Wells East with a superlative creative team and skilful dancing.

*****

NDT2 I dreamt, it was: a dynamic double bill

Mark Vicente, 28th May

Superbly balanced double bill comprising Kill Your Darlings and SAABA which highlighted the talents of the young dancers of Nederlands Dans Theater 2.

****1

Dada Masilo’s Hamlet: inimitable mix of wisdom and audacity

Maggie Foyer, 25th May

Dada Masilo wanted her audiences to feel the passion and to leave the theatre with a buzz. In her Hamlet, the commitment of the cast ensures this message still holds true.

****1

Glorious debuts in Ashton’s La Fille mal gardée at The Royal Ballet

Deborah Weiss, 23rd May

Two vivid debuts as Colas, marked the second revival of La Fille mal gardée this season at The Royal Ballet.

****1

At NYCB, Fairchild bids adieu in her final performances of Coppélia

Leigh Donlan, 22nd May

Megan Fairchild pours her heart into her final performances of Coppélia at New York City Ballet.

*****

Northern Ballet’s Gentleman Jack: brave but bland at Sadler’s Wells

Jonathan Gray, 19th May

A bold choice for Northern Ballet, Gentleman Jack is beautifully danced but doesn’t go far enough in celebrating difference, individuality and freedom.

***11

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Carla Escoda

Born in the Philippines, Carla trained as a ballet and modern dancer with the Alice Reyes Dance Company in Manila. She has lived and worked in Asia and the U.S. and has written about the arts for Bachtrack, KQED (the northern California public media broadcaster), Dance International, dance journal/hk, the Huffington Post, Dance Europe and ballettothepeople.