Mark Your Calendar
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 9:03 PM This sounds fabulous! And surely there will be a good dress in the mix.
From the Wall Street Journal today:
The First Lady’s office announced plans for the White House Dance Series: A Tribute to Judith Jamison. The September 7 event will honor Jamison, the former dancer and outgoing artistic director (after 20 years) of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
It will also feature a program directed by Damian Woetzel, formerly of New York City ballet and currently on the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities.
Slated to attend are dancers from major New York companies — Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Paul Taylor Dance Company and New York City Ballet – plus Broadway’s “Billy Elliot The Musical.” Hailing from the D.C. area is the Washington Ballet, and representing the West Coast is the hip-hop group Super Cr3w. Prior to the East Room ceremony, members of these companies will host workshops for students from dance programs around the country.
Reader Comments (22)
That's fantastic. I'm so glad they aren't letting the naysayers dampen or hamper their efforts to spotlight, support and encourage hardwork and mentorship in the arts and beyond. Good for the first lady!!!
This is most amazing, "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater" is a must see!
Thank You First Lady Mrs. O ^_~
That's fantastic. I'm so glad they aren't letting the naysayers dampen or hamper their efforts to spotlight, support and encourage hardwork and mentorship in the arts and beyond. Good for the first lady!!!
This sounds absolutely fabulous! I love any form of dance and admire Judith Jamison a great deal. In the fashion realm, she is a wonderful example. I sure wish I could be there.
I'm so happy for the Obama's. Naysayers will nay regardless and I think The Obama's are so much more bigger than that.
I like the way that the White House has been an open house for the past 21 months. I commend Michelle Obama for being THE hardest working first lady that I have ever known. I would give my right arm to live in the US or Washington just to grace it's steps. I can hardly wait to see how the House will be decorated this Christmas.
As for Sept 7th event ...........I love Alvin Ailey. For anyone based in London or the UK, they will be at Sadlers Wells between 14th-25th September. http://www.sadlerswells.com/show/Alvin-Ailey-2010 I've already bought my tickets.
This will be an amazing day for the children and teenagers that get to take part in the workshops. I did workshops with London Contemporary Dance Theatre when I was about fourteen and fifteen and the experience will stay with me forever. You feel so honoured and so lucky - and it's huge amounts of fun as well as hard work! What an incredible thing to think of and to expedite. Hats off to the First Lady, yet again. Can't wait to see more about it.
I'm excited and filled with anticipation! What a wonderful and deserved honor for Ms. Jamison, one of my favorite former dancers! The Alvin Ailey Dancers are so captivating in their performance...I will be glued to the tv when it airs! They're a 'must see' in person!
Wow this is amazing I cannot wait I hope there will be a livestream trust me I will be glued to my laptop.
OH PLEASE let them put this on tv.
President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk with their daughters Malia Obama (second from left) and Sasha Obama on August 29, 2010 upon their return to the White House in Washington, DC.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/entertainment/post/2010/08/white-house-to-host-first-dance-event/1
Thought everyone would enjoy this photo of the First Family taken a few days ago. Just look at Miss Sasha!
Rikyrah I'm with you! I' d love to see it on T.V. Does any one out there know if it will be covered?
Oh, I hope they televise this ... or stream it over the Internet. I have seen the Alvin Ailey dancers a few times ... even flew to Chicago from Montreal once for a performance! ... they are divine!
Jestina, Thanks for you rcomments. Yes, the first couple is amazing and I finally feel like the White House at this time belongs to the people. And as Mrs T. suggests it mayoffer an opportunity for a fun look at fashion.
I agree that this will be a wonderful event -- honoring Judith Jamison and the Ailey company is great, and including dancers from Paul Taylor and others adds to the cachet. This administration and First Lady is changing the definition of what it means to be leaders of our country. I'm so proud!
I love that they are bringing the arts back to the White House and making the arts a priority in our country. We NEED the arts!!
Excellent!!!! It's so important to give credit where credit is due...keep pushing forward 1st Family!
I saw Miss Jamison perform when I was a little girl and years later got to meet her at a charity event. She is a stunning woman -- tall, like Mrs. O., and extremely graceful in both her manner and her art.
The event will be live streamed by the White House. Ashley Bouder, who is dancing on Tuesday, posted info on her Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=115956315126602&id=139894626040602
Hello,
My name is Theresa….and I’m an “O-coholic”. I hadn’t realized just how much so until these last few weeks when news and pics of Mrs. O have been sparse. I certainly don’t begrudge her down time spent with her precious family, and I pray that when she does return to her public duties, she will do so totally refreshed and rejuvenated, but…to continue this AA theme…I feel the DT’s about to set in. Hurry back Mrs. O, I miss your style and your blazing smile.
hello
I totally agree with Theresa. I am an O-alcoholic too ... and I am french, which means that the strenght of this glamorous woman does ignore the borders. I would like to read an information per day dealing with her frocks, life, daughters, talks (especially the talks, always inspired)... Go on Mrs O-T, since every event connected to Mrs O is linked to geat outfits.
PS : sorry for the language, my english-american is far from being perfect, but I improve it reading blogs such as this one :-)
denverpost article about Michelle Obama's plans for fallhttp://www.denverpost.com/nationworld/ci_15995693?source=rss
Robin Givhan of the Washington Post wrote a piece praising Mrs. O on her vacation attire(Doru Olowu tunic and leggings included). I've been giving Ms. Givhan the side-eye since the Grand Canyon shorts debacle, but this makes two positive articles in a row that were not bitter towards our First Lady. I wonder how long this streak will continue...
Welcome Asereht & Yoda, please take a seat.
My name is Jestina and I too am a O-holic. I'm based in London and ever since I saw Mrs Obama at the DNC during the 2008 campaign . I have been hooked. Totally love the woman and EVERYTHING she stands for. If I was a little girl I would sooooooo want to be Michelle Obama when I grow up.