The Washington Ballet is running a series of four lecture-demonstrations about ballet, as an add-on to season subscription packages. This evening, Septime Webre gave a 90-minute review of the history of ballet, from Italian court dances through George Balanchine. Tidbits of which I wasn't aware:

• The ideal posture for the ballerina in the Romantic period (first half of the 19th century) was softened, rarely perpdendicular. In fifth position she might incline her body 15 degrees or so from the vertical.
• Bournonville (fl. 1830-1860) was known for fast, scurrying steps that led into explosive leaps. He was unusual for his time in that his danseurs had just as much to do as his ballerinas.

posted: 10:00:47 PM  

Jo nathan Yardley recommends The Reivers as a gentle introduction to the world of Yoknapatawpha:

One aspect of The Reivers that is both interesting and unusual is that it is a coming-of-age novel written not at the beginning of its author's career but at the very end. It has the wisdom of Faulkner's age and experience.

posted: 10:32:33 AM