Hello all,<BR> <BR>one friend of mine is going to USA for a few weeks. As a big fan of contemporary ballet, I want him to buy me some videos of good (if not best) contemporary ballet shows or clips. Which one would you recommend as your favorite ? I accept many styles from Marcel Marceau to hard style of Todes (russian show), just looking for the quality and<BR>professionalism.<BR> <BR>Thanks,<BR><P>------------------<BR>Jury Gerasimov<P>Author of Chameleon Clock - a tray clock replacement<BR>with support of Winamp skins, alarms, and atomic time.<BR>mailto:jury@softshape.com<BR>http://www.softshape.com<P>

Jury, a welcome from me too. I'm sure you have already checked this, but care is needed with video systems. US tapes will not work here in the UK unless one owns a universal player.<P>For guidance, here is the Dance Books video catalogue for modern dance:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.dancebooks.co.uk/catalog/cat84.shtml" TARGET=_blank>http://www.dancebooks.co.uk/catalog/cat84.shtml</A> <P>I'm sure that Amazon will also have a section.

here are some of the amazon.com dance videos:<BR> <A HREF="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/105-3539179-4119121" TARGET=_blank>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/105-3539179-4119121</A>

Thanks for you kind replyes !<P>2grace: From my site it isn't clear, but I'm developer from Russia. Todes is also Russian ballet, I think the most famous contemporary ballet group here. They don't have any movies online, and their site is only in Russian, but maybe these photos could give you some ideas :<P> <A HREF="http://www.todes.sitek.ru/ballet_main.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.todes.sitek.ru/ballet_main.htm</A> <BR> <A HREF="http://www.todes.sitek.ru/clip_we.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.todes.sitek.ru/clip_we.htm</A> <BR> <A HREF="http://www.todes.sitek.ru/clip_nasyrov.htm" TARGET=_blank>http://www.todes.sitek.ru/clip_nasyrov.htm</A> <P>They are really professinal. Their style is somewhat like "agressive sexuality" and music used is mostly techno style.<P>Another my favorite is Marcel Marceau, I have his ballet dedicated to Freddy Mercury on VHS tape, it's just great. So, as I said, I don't have any fixation on any style neither in dance nor in music. I really love any professional work.<P>2Stuart: I have such an universal player and can watch PAL, SECAM, NTCS tapes without any problem. <P>Thanks for your links, guys, I'll check them ASAP.<BR><P>------------------<BR>Jury Gerasimov<P>Author of Chameleon Clock - a tray clock replacement<BR>with support of Winamp skins, alarms, and atomic time.<BR>mailto:jury@softshape.com<BR>http://www.softshape.com<P>

I haven't heard of Marcel Marceau's Freddie Mercury ballet, but there was a recent London visit of Bejart's ballet on the same theme.

Ups. Sorry, I don't understand how I did that, but I mixed up Bejart and Marceau... indeed, I meant Bejart. Kind of obfuscation...

Welcome Jury? Do you live in Russia? Wow---we are happy to hear from you!! Some of my favorite Bejart pieces..his "Firebird", and "Bolero". Don't know if you can find those on video...Before I make any suggestions Jury, what style of modern do you like? Dance theatre, story dances, abstract..can you give us some ideas?

Don't worry Jury we all make those sorts of mistakes. Bejart is a God-like figure on the Continent, but here in England he is not rated by the critics. His recent visit was typical of this reaction with the critics praising the dancers, but not the work.<P>Here is the topic where we discussed the Bejart visit:<P> <A HREF="http://www.criticaldance.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000386.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.criticaldance.com/ubb/Forum4/HTML/000386.html</A> <p>[This message has been edited by Stuart Sweeney (edited November 07, 2000).]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Before I make any suggestions Jury, what style of modern do you like? Dance theatre, story dances, abstract..can you give us some ideas?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>My experience with modern dance isn't really extensive, so I only can refer to Todes (see my post above). Before I saw them, I didn't know I can love aggressive techno-dance. The real art doesn't depend on style. So I can accept any suggestions... well, more in theatrical and stage dances.

Just found close topic originated by trina "My top five favorite Modern/contemporary dances". I digged thru dancebooks.com and found the following videos mentioned in this topic -<P>- Five dances by Martha Graham. El Penitente, Diversion of Angels, Herodiade, Steps in the Street, Maple Leaf Rag<P>- Swansong, Silence is the End of our Song. English National Ballet, The Royal Danish Ballet (Bruce, Christopher)<P>- Ghost Dances (Bruce), Image (Stevenson), Journey (Bruce). The Houston Ballet.<P>I believe I'd better stop my searching and order these items. Thanks for the recommendations, trina, grace, and Stuart !!!<P>------------------<BR>Jury Gerasimov<P>Author of Chameleon Clock - a tray clock replacement<BR>with support of Winamp skins, alarms, and atomic time.<BR>mailto:jury@softshape.com<BR>http://www.softshape.com<P>