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Posted on October 28, 2021
I have some sad news to impart to you this month. Jack Anderson, who has been contributing to Dancing Times for 50 years as our regular New York correspondent, has decided to retire from writing about dance, and on page 57 of this issue he offers us his final “Notes from New York” column. It feels like the end of an era, one in which Jack has reported for us on all the exciting events taking place in one of the world’s great dance capitals. I’m very sad to see him go, but Jack has promised that, should he feel inspired, he may write the occasional article for us again in the future. Let’s hope so.
This doesn’t, of course, mean the end of our coverage of performances from New York, and I’m happy to say that from next month onwards Leigh Witchel, who has already contributed to the magazine for a number of years, has agreed to take up the baton and continue the column. I’m sure you will all join me in wishing Jack a very happy retirement, and the best of luck to Leigh – he will, after all, have some big shoes to fill.
Elsewhere in the magazine, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Ballet Black, discover the results of the delayed 2021 Blackpool Dance Festival, offer you a listing of where to learn to dance in the UK, and include an extract from Leanne Benjamin’s forthcoming autobiography.
JONATHAN GRAY
14 – Boss Lady. Jonathan Gray meets Cassa Pancho to discuss the 20th anniversary of Ballet Black
39 – Built for ballet. In an extract from her forthcoming autobiography, Leanne Benjamin describes how the world of dance is changing for the better
60 – Blackpool in BACK! Martin Cutler reports from Blackpool Dance Festival
83 – Education. We find out who the winner of the RAD’s inaugural “Fonteyn” competition is
20 – There is nothing like a dame. Marianka Swain hears from Arlene Phillips
23 – Talking dance. Laura Milner on the ISTD’s Talking Dance series
27 – An allegory of our time. Gerald Dowler talks to artist Tacita Dean about The Dante Project
31 – Ballet unleashed. Michael Crabb finds out about an innovative career path for young dancers
34 – Getting back to work. Jonathan Gray catches up with Birmingham Royal Ballet’s Dominic Antonucci
64 – Strictly speaking. Marianka Swain casts her eye over the launch show
66 – Tips on technique. By James Whitehead
67 – Technique clinic. By Phil Meacham
68 – Simon’s Guide to Swing. By Simon Selmon
69 – Stepping Out. By Pete Meager
70 – Somewhere in time. By Jack Reavely
6 – News. Martha Graham, World Ballet Day 2021, win a Royal Ballet DVD box set from Opus Arte, DeNada Dance Theatre
10 – Letters
13 – Talking Point. By Jann Parry
43 – Dance Scene International. Reviews include KVN Dance Company, Ukrainian Ballet Gala, Hofesh Shechter
51 – Variety Lights. Barbara Newman sees Cinderella and Operation Mincemeat
52 – Letter from St Petersburg. Igor Stupnikov meets the Maryinsky’s Yuri Fateyev
54 – Danza in Italia. By Graham Spicer
55 – FRANCE/dance. By Laura Cappelle
57 – Notes from New York. Jack Anderson offers us his final column
73 – Dancer of the Month. Margaret Willis interviews English National Ballet’s Emily Suzuki
76 – Obituaries. Avril Bergen, Sherrill Wexler
78 – Dancing Times, Volume 111
79 – Media
81 – Products
84 – Health. Debbie Malina looks at good dental health
87 – Classifieds
88 – Calendar. Our guide to what’s on
94 – Listings. Where to learn to dance
98 – Last Dance. We look back to October 1981