(Recently Unearthed) Great Quote about Notation

Here's a quote you haven't seen on the Dance Notation Bureau website. It's an excerpt from the last will and testament of Antony Tudor. It's in legalese and thus is not the most colorful quote in my little Great Quotes series, but what it says -- stipulating DNB involvement in stagings -- now that's a Great Quote with oomph!

". . . I request my Trustee, in order to insure the integrity of my ballets in performance, to require as a condition of any agreement entered into or permission given for performance of any of my ballets that the performance be based on the best available record of the ballet and, specifically, if the ballet has been notated by the DNB or by the Institute of Choreology, that the Bureau or the Institute be consulted and the performance based upon its notation."

Great Quotes about Notation, Part 5

It feels like time to trot out another testimonial. Here's Antony Tudor on the Dance Notation Bureau:

Sorry, Folks!

Apologies for temporarily posting a mangled message. It's fixed now, but those of you reading this via RSS readers probably have a posting that makes no sense. There was a four-car accident right outside my window, and at the moment of impact I accidentally clicked "Publish Post." Oops!

New Theory Bulletin Board Posting

A new posting has been added to the DNB Theory Bulletin Board. To read the newest posting, which discusses inclusion bows, thumb facings, cartwheel signs, and touching leg gestures, follow the link above and click “Minutes for the Open Theory Meetings Thread” or follow this link.

As always, feel free to add to the discussions or to initiate a new topic. Instructions for submitting postings can be found on the Bulletin Board.

Great News for Dance Companies: Dunham Dances Available for Staging!

Barrelhouse Blues and Choros I, choreographed by Katherine Dunham, are now available to be staged from Labanotation score. Cleo Parker Robinson will serve as the mandated artistic coach for all productions of these American modern dance masterworks. The scores, created by notator Sandra Aberkalns, are now available for educational and research use. For more information about staging please contact nancyallison [at] dancenotation.org

A Heretofore Rare Occurrence: Advanced Labanotation in NYC!

Start Thinking About Summer Now!

The DNB is currently formalizing plans for a three-week course in Advanced Labanotation from July 28 through August 15, 2008 in New York City. The course, taught by two Certified Labanotators will focus specifically on developing writing skills and is a pre-requisite for Certified Notator Training. Classes will be held at the DNB offices and in a nearby dance studio — with field trips to dance classes and rehearsals throughout the city. Registration is limited. For more information, or if you would like to reserve a place in this rarely offered course, please contact nancyallison [at] dancenotation.org.

"The Dance Notation Bureau began life in an abandoned elevator shaft"

Did you know that the Dance Notation Bureau's first office was an abandoned elevator shaft?! That the Dance Notation Bureau was the idea of legendary New York Times dance critic John Martin?!?! That Ann Hutchinson Guest directed the DNB without pay for 20 years?!?!?!

Yep. True. True. True. It's all in the new DNBulletin, which has a cover story about Ann Hutchinson Guest and her jaw-dropping accomplishments.

Click here for the PDF of the new DNBulletin. (Of course, if you're a DNB member, you'll get one in the mail too!)

(And for more DNB history, visit the About the DNB page and click "DNB History.")