In discussing an episode of
Live to Dance with some friends, we began a friendly debate over the relevance of modern dance and ballet in a hip hop, R& B world. Referring to modern and ballet one friend said, “Studying an art form that nobody cares about and that is no longer relevant is kind of self-absorbed, isn’t it?” Keeping an open mind, perhaps he has a point. This past weekend Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a modern company that has toured the world, was at the Kennedy Center. Thousands attended, but thousands more stand in line to see Usher’s dance moves. Before Beyonce’s
Single Ladies most non dancers in America did not know what a leotard was, but now men and women dress up in leotards and post videos of themselves dancing to Beyonce tunes on YouTube. I know how I feel about it. If studying modern dance is self-absorbed and irrelevant, then I am guilty as charged. But, really, what are your thoughts? Is modern dance irrelevant and outdated? Should ballerinas hang up their pointe shoes and lace up some sneakers instead?
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