Nureyev: A Life in Dance

The Bay Area can be a Mecca for artists, dancers, musicians and generally the art inclined and enthusiasts.  There is always something art oriented happening in the Bay, and it's fantastic!  I wanted to share some information about an exhibit that's at the de Young Museum in San Francisco.  Rudolf Nureyev: A Life in Dance is a special exhibit running now through February 17th showcasing costumes and photographs from the legendary dancer and choreographer's personal collection.

Costume by Nicholas Giorgiadis for Rudolf Nureyev in the role of Prince Florimond inSleeping Beauty, Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 1966 (left) and costume by Ezio Frigerio and Mauro Pagaono for Rudolf Nureyev in the role of Romeo, Romeo and Juliet, London Ballet Festival, 1977 (right). Collection CNCS/Rudolf Nureyev Foundation. Photographs by Pascal François/CNCS

As well as being an acclaimed dancer, working with some of the greatest ballerinas of all time (Margot Fonteyn among them), Nureyev was a choreographer, director and ballet master as well.  As a performer, he was meticulous about his costumes fit and appearance, and he had an obsession with fabric, decoration, style and line for the costumes of the ballets he choreographed as well.

Rudolf Nureyev in La Bayadère, Palais Garnier, 1974. Photograph by André Chino. 

Visit the de Young website here, or check out the Press Release about the exhibit.  I can't wait to get to see this exhibit soon and will be sure to report back!  If you've already been to see it yourself, I'd love to hear from you and know your thoughts! 

Fall for Organization (Ballet Style)!

It's really starting to feel like fall.  Being a Californian, I probably have no real sense of "fall", but by Western standards, it's getting cooler in the mornings and evenings, and a few leaves are starting to whirl around by the occasional blustery wind.  Fall reminds me of many things: back to school, holiday preparations (including The Nutcracker), soups and warm foods, scarves and new shoes.  If you're anything like me, you might have a strong (ok, slightly obsessive) organizational bone in you around the fall season as well.  Maybe it's the influx of activities, projects and holidays on the horizon, but this time of year tends to kick me into organizational mode.  Here are some crafty ballet inspired items to keep you on track, or give you some gift ideas!

Calendars are always a great gift idea, and are easy to find this time of year!  A quick Google search will land you with plenty of options, and customization is easy these days with sites like Zazzle and Shutterfly.  You may even be able to find some vintage options, which I always love.  Nothing like a great old black and white of Fonteyn and Nureyev to get my nostalgia flowing.

Love the two above ideas for organizing a work/study space (thanks Pinterest)!  Cover the drawers and old cans with wrapping paper of your choice (there are many ballet and ballerina paper wrappings out there!) and voila! A dressed up and pretty container for all your papers, pens and accoutrements!  (Another idea: get the kiddos in on it and use butcher paper.  Let them go at it coloring and decorating the paper and they'll be able to see their own creations as the decoration).  Happy Fall, and Happy Organizing Ballet Lovers!