Ballet Monks
So last night agrathea and I saw a mixture of ballet and Shaolin Monks. Quit your laughing... I'm serious. No really. For one night, here in Portland, Oregon, we were treated to Alonzo King's LINES Ballet with the Shaolin Monks.
Here's their blurb:Long River, High Sky
Ballet meets martial arts in Alonzo King's recent thrilling creation, Long River, High Sky. One of the United States' most celebrated choreographers, Alonzo King creates contemporary ballets that are hailed for their ability to connect audiences to a profound sense of shared humanity. He has become renowned for his unique collaborations with composers, musicians, and visual artists. Now appearing for the third time on White Bird's stage, Alonzo King's LINES Ballet will join with the Shaolin Monks of China to create an unprecedented synthesis of Eastern and Western forms of movement. As you experience this fascinating work, you will quickly recognize how King is not only blending two distinct cultural traditions but also demonstrating how interconnected the worlds of ballet and martial arts are.
A quite intriguing experience, and the blurb is mostly spot on. It was not a planned trip, but rather one of those wonderful little surprises life throws your way from time to time. A coworker had tickets, but could not make it, and I was the first she approached -- yesterday, at about 3:15 in the afternoon -- who did not already have plans.
The performance included mixes of martial arts and ballet, as well as times when the monks participated in ballet-style moves and other times where the dancers did martial arts, but mostly it was about blending and being complimentary. The ballet and martial arts both had their own grace and wonder, and it was lovely to see. A pretty astonishing combination that I can highly recommend, if you get the chance.