I am a painter, a sculptor, an architect, a musician, a mathematician, an engineer, an anatomist, a geologist, a cartographer, a botanist, and a writer. My one regret is that I am not a dancer.
Leonardo da Vinci
He just didn’t have the feet
Collections of Richard Pryor quotes almost always omit this brief statement, which he probably said:
Ballet is really great.
-Richard Pryor
Improper use of turnout was never a laughing matter for Pryor
While extremely dramatic on stage, Baryshnikov was also emotionally driven offstage, and several quotes show that he was not afraid to express his powerful feelings. For instance, he probably said this:
I really, really hate you.
-Mikhail Baryshnikov, to dance belt
Fuckin’ dancebelts man
Watching a dancer who clearly enjoys jumping always makes me think one thing, which I believe famous male dancer Nijinsky, who could apparently jump over pianos, also thought while jumping:
Wheeeeee!
-Vaslav Nijinsky
Wheeee!
For many, Vaganova means ballet. In actual fact, a ‘vaganova’ is a type of semi-sweet bun-like pastry treat that is no longer made with any regularity. Comparatively, the regularity with which people refer to Vaganova’s Basic Principles of Classical Ballet is astounding.
Here is one of Vaganova’s less conspicuous quotes:
Ballet is next to Godliness, because ballet is about technique and technique is about cleanliness and cleanliness is next to Godliness.
-Agrippina Vaganova
‘Good try, dear’
David Howard was a master teacher. He also had quite the sense of humor, as evinced by this quote spoken to a new student entering his ballet class:
Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.
-David Howard
Cool
Hello there! Welcome to Alex Davison’s Advice for People who Dance. If you are seeking advice from Alex Davison about dancing, geared toward people who dance, congratulations you’ve found it! I work hard to bring you the very best in dance advice from a currently non-dancer who works in the service industry. Because who doesn’t need that.
I am working hard!
Please know: As a blogger, I am highly opinionated. I make no claim to present a balanced view of any subject, and, in fact, I find creating posts much easier without any research, fact-checking, or deep-thinking of any kind. (Since you are reading a blog, I know you relate! Ha! Just kidding).
I am outdoorsy!
I love dance and I enjoy writing. With this blog I am combining both. (Crazy talk!). I also believe a sense of humor is essential, and that we should never take anything too seriously. (Especially dance forms that are centuries old and called ballet).
Enjoy this blog! It is a labor of love and I am glad to share it with you. I sincerely enjoy all comments, so go ahead and share your thoughts, and if they do not show up you’ll know exactly how much I like you!
Your friend,
Alex
I am your friend!