Déjà vu

As Katja writes she finds herself exactly where she was just three weeks ago, in the United lounge at Newark (not pictured above, she's just pretending it's as nice as the fancy New York lobby where she met someone earlier this week), waiting for a flight and once again eating snacks she doesn’t need. This time, however, she decided to pass on the wine; she’s not an afternoon drinker, and with all of the socializing she’s been doing lately she knows she should probably take a break, well at least until she arrives in Mexico City, which is where she is currently headed.

The past few weeks have been nonstop, with numerous visitors (one coming from as far away as Bangkok), and, not surprisingly, lots of dance related events and performances. Among the highlights was the Joyce Theater Foundation’s Annual Gala, which this year featured the Royal Ballet. Katja is lucky she actually made the gala, as Mother Nature was not in a good mood that day, leashing a torrential downpour upon the city. Thankfully Mother Nature seems to have needed a break from her storm-making, during which Katja was able to get herself to the Lincoln Center, arriving dry, albeit somewhat flustered. But still looking very fashionable and cute, of course.

The evening began with a performance of Frederick Ashton’s The Dream (based on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream; the dancers looked great although Katja has never particularly been a fan of his work. She’s more of a contemporary loving girl and much preferred Wayne McGregor’s Infra, with music by Max Richter, which was part of the second program (and which she saw on another very rainy day later in the week – Mother Nature must be upset with someone). After the gala performance it was time for dinner, lots of red wine (alcohol always seemingly more plentiful than food at these events), and dancing. Thankfully she had a fun table, as she wasn’t in the mood for an evening of dull small talk; although after a few glasses of wine even that can become somewhat bearable.

There was also lots of wine and bubbly to be had at a reception she attended the following evening at the Phillips Gallery, which is currently showing Complicities, an exhibition of Brigitte Lacombe’s photography. The evening was in honor of Larry Keigwin, the first choreographer to create a dance on the Paul Taylor Dance Company, as part of Taylor Company Commissions. Katja is looking forward to seeing his piece, but she’ll have to wait until next year, as it won’t premiere in New York City until the Company’s Lincoln Center season.

Katja also found the time to see the Polish National Ballet at the Joyce, where it was making its New York debut. The program, which Katja enjoyed, featured two works by Krzysztof Pastor, the Company’s director, and one by Emanual Gat. She also caught one of New York Theatre Ballet’s Legends & Visionaries programs at its new home in St. Mark’s Church. And, she even ventured from her usual dance going routine (it’s always important to expand one’s horizons, after all) to see a friend in The Pavilion, a play at the Barrow Group Theatre. The acting is great and the play has just been extended for two weeks; she recommends you see it if you live in New York and have the chance.

When not attending performances it’s been nonstop socializing with visitors from DC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and Thailand. Luckily, despite all of this activity she was able to resume her usual schedule of ballet classes, and even find the time for some extra ones, as she’ll be missing many with her travels. Also, she finds that being constantly on the go makes her much more productive with her research, writing, and anything else that needs doing on the various Robert Indiana projects with which she's assisting.

Or maybe she just likes to tell herself that so she can justify squeezing in that extra class or two…

…because she really does love to dance.