Raise the Barre

Russian National Ballet Performance Notes by Aimée Petrin

Dear friends: As we mark the time we would have been regaling in the majestic beauty of the Russian National Ballet, I am grateful to have this opportunity to share why we chose this production for Portland: story ballets are ideal for families and newcomers to dance alike. One’s first encounter with the great tradition … Read more

Miwa Matreyek Performance Notes by Aimée Petrin

Dear Friends, I first saw Miwa perform several years ago in LA, her home base. I was immediately mesmerized by the imagery, soundscape and her presence on stage. I was captivated then and remain so. Miwa works at the intersection of performance and media. Her art exists in a dreamlike visual space that makes invisible worlds visible, often weaving surreal … Read more

Malpaso Dance Company Performance Notes by Aimée Petrin

Dear Friends, Inspired by dance lovers in our community, about a year ago we began to think about how to increase our commitment to the presentation of contemporary dance. This comes after more than a decade of consistently bringing to Maine no fewer than three high-caliber companies expressing a variety of aesthetics, styles, traditions, production scale and cultures. Collaborating … Read more

MOMIX: ‘Viva Momix’ Notes by Aimée Petrin

Dear Friends, Dance is one of the most beautiful, visceral and expressive art forms. It can also be one of the most intimidating. Viewers often lament “I don’t get it” or “dance is too abstract” or that dance’s embodied form of storytelling doesn’t resonate with our verbal, linear brains. Or finally, “I don’t know how to … Read more