Moscow

I was in Moscow for a long rainy weekend at the end of August this year– not long enough to figure out the dance school scene.  After a day and a half at the exciting Tratyakov Gallery's Central House of Artists , just north of Gorky Park I attended a floor barre class at a place called 5Life.  The class was taught by a woman called Svetlanna, and it was incredibly thorough and focused on classical ballet technique for detailed work on turnout and positioning.  Through the open door to the next studio though I could see a woman working on her pole dancing routine and truly I wondered what kind of establishment I had stumbled upon.  In any case Svetlanna knew what she was doing, clearly she had years of serious Russian ballet training and knew how to communicate it to an adult audience.  We need more classes like this in the world.

Children's Ballet School Peridance NYC Downtown

Have to mention the great children's ballet schedule of classes at Peridance.  It's convenient for Williamsburg kids and Greenpoint kids as well as it's one block from the L train right off Union Square.  My god daughter has been in the program since the first level of littles doing organized movement and performance.  She is now in Kindergarten, in her third year at Peridance and has just begun at the bar in a baby blue uniform and a little bun.  She loves it.

Palermo, Sicily

Associazione Stage Centro Danza, Palermo, Sicily, Italy

I was there before the regular classes started.. so I joined one class for the company of the Teatro Massimo. What a treat!  They have regular classes for adults beginning end of September.  You should just go by and see them when you are in town and/or check the schedule on the website.  Location click here.

NYC Greg Zane at Peridance

There is a wonderful alternative advanced beginner class on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Peridance on 13th st.  taught by Greg Zane.  He has a gentle personality leading you through a demanding barre.  The class is super satisfying and challenging.  The weekday evening slot (7-8:30) alternates with Peter Schabel's class on M, W, & TH.

Nantucket

I joined Giovanna La Paglia's class this morning. She is teaching only three times a week (these were the summer hours actually- I am sure there are more classes during the school year) to a lucky group of children.  And it's the real thing. Giovanna was very welcoming to an adult joining her class and the young ladies made room. Giovanna is a lovely, talented and intelligent teacher. Here is her info: Giovanna La Paglia Studio of Ballet, 508-228-4979.  The studio is located near the Nantucket High School at 35 1st Way.

Kampala

I do need to post what I found in Kampala, after lots of walking!  I had been ordered by a doctor in New York to promise not to hop on a boda-boda for any reason whatsoever.  These motorbike taxis are the number one cause of deaths of peace corps volunteers in Uganda!  So though Kampala is not too large- the downtown area at least, I insisted on walking back and forth as i looked for the  Kamapala Ballet and Modern Dance School at 34c  Kyadondo Road, Nakasero. Tel: (041) 4234691.  Mobile: +256 752 809676. Email: kbmds@one2netmail.co.ug  .   I have to admit that i did not end up taking a class there.  I was busy enough following my eight year old host around to her private dance classes the week that i was there.  I partook in a class taught by the wife of the European Union Ambassador.  I also have to confess that by this point the father of my eight year old host had since thrown me on the back of a boda-boda when we were racing back to his office at lunch time.  Thus i was set free and from there on i was all over that town by boda-boda.  However when i gave the address of this particular house, not knowing myself where it was as we slowly wound up the hill and arrived at the gated, guarded foot of a villa it is not surprising that the driver asked for double the usual price!  I may have been the first to take a boda-boda to that address.

In any case the ballet class was taught on the front terrace with a gorgeous view overlooking the city.  I was horrified to  find that the young students were dancing on stone.  Not an option for adults who still plan to walk into their old age.  Luckily the jumping requirements were not extensive as the greater part of the emphasis was placed on theatrical expression!  

Stuttgart

Let me not forget Stuttgart -where my sister lives. When I visit I take public transportation from her village  to take class at the New York City Dance School on the outskirts of town. Usually I figure that in Europe it is easier to find dance schools than, say, in Kampala.. but it is really not easy in smaller towns or when you don't have weeks to do the research yourself. So for those of you mailed off to Stuttgart for a work week with IBM.. I would suggest getting out to a class at The NYC Dance School.. it's an interesting part of town near a great garden and right next to a Cultural Arts Center where a good friend of mine from Cairo took part in an experimental music festival.. so I spent a full week there inundated with music and squeezing in a dance class every day.

I hope that anyone who reads this will post their own information of the great classes that they know of around the world. This is the information I am always looking for when I travel. I am not a great tourist.. can't just stand around all week looking at things however much I love art. I have to jump around and stretch out no matter where I am. So please fill in with info wherever you are! All adult ballet class info welcome.. and though I haven't mentioned it for a while - video art and film festival info welcome too. I think it was one full week watching films that inspired my need to take class. I can do it (sit for a week) but best not to. If i can't find a class I will get up extra early and jog or do some yoga- but surely class is more fun. And I meet a lot of interesting people.. as i did in Russia... next blog.

St. Petersburg, Russia

I have been remiss in not adding my experience in Russia. I was there last August, 2010, in St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Mariinsky Theater was closed (pic). The skies were often grey but I was well located downtown between the Hermitage and the Russian Museum. I found an independent ballet teacher who rented a studio on Vasalevski Island. Her name is Yiliana Malashevskaya, 915-8541. This turned out to be much closer by bus than by the profound St. Petersburgian subway. The depth of the subway adds 15 to 20 minutes to your trip. Yes, it takes that long just get down there and back up. You could read a book. You find many couples face to face kissing or having intimate conversations. Otherwise it took me a few days to figure out the right bus which took about twenty minutes door to door. I love buses! My sister, Eleanor, says that I am going to take a bus around the world one day! But it gives me great pleasure to figure out a new city bus system- in Beirut, Buenos Aires, Beijing, and here in St. Petersburg.