The Pandemic and the Ballet

Several years ago my New Year’s resolution was to watch more “live” performances. Since I knew people from Lionel Hampton School of Music, this was not difficult. I have many outstanding memories from that resolution!

During the Pandemic, this old habit has taken a hit and I have not been able to watch live performances at all. But this month, looking for some dance performances, I ran across Dance Theatre Harlem. They are celebrating Founder’s Week (51st anniversary) and I’ve been able to watch some wonderful dancing.

I especially enjoyed this bit of info behind their Creole Giselle. Take some time to watch!

Many professional dance companies have created streaming content or video content to share with their fans and audiences. I’ve found theatre and dance companies especially generous with their access in light of the fact that they are not able to tour and perform to paying audiences.

This Sunday, there is a streaming performance from Dance Theatre Harlem. The Valentine’s Day ticket price is $7. Where could you ever get to go and see DTH for seven dollars?

Check out all of their virtual ballet series.

Don’t forget to see The Valentine’s Day performance!

John Harrison and the Problem of Longitude

History of the Harrison clock

Currently reading “Longitude” by Dava Sobel and gaining insight into the fascinating story of dead reckoning navigation and its deadly results. As a consequence, the Longitude Act sought a better way of determining a ship’s position in the sea.

I like this video because I wanted to see one of John Harrison’s chronometers in action. There is more history here than I had already learned from the book, and I saw his early clocks, wooden clocks, clocks without lubrication; fascinating to the mechanical side of my interests.

John Harrison and the problem of Longitude