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Juneā€™s Whirlwind of Dance My dears, June is upon us, and as always, the world of dance is whirling into action! From London to Paris, from New York to Moscow, the month promises an exciting tapestry of ballets and performances to grace the stage. **Londonā€™s Ballet Blitz** Letā€™s begin in London, the heart of our beloved art. The Royal Opera House, oh, how I do love its majestic beauty and rich history, has a lineup that will make any ballet enthusiast swoon. They are presenting the Royal Balletā€™s much-anticipated revival of Kenneth MacMillanā€™s ā€œManonā€ in June, and you can bet your pearls it will be a sensational event. The drama! The romance! And the captivating dance sequences will keep you glued to your seats. However, I must confess, it is not MacMillanā€™s choreography that is making me personally quiver with anticipation this month. I hear whispers that the cast, including the enchanting Natalia Osipova as the titular Manon, is positively scintillating. The costumes, designed by the fabulous John Napier, will also be a feast for the eyes, of course. Imagine the decadent, bejeweled costumes of the upper classes contrasting with the stark and tragic clothing of Manonā€™s impoverished existence. A stunning display of contrast, both in character and costuming. Then there is English National Balletā€™s production of ā€œGiselle,ā€ the epitome of romanticism. A ballet that never fails to captivate the soul with its delicate steps, emotive storytelling, and the quintessential image of a lovestruck maiden - this will surely be a highlight for many this month. Now, we all know ā€œGiselleā€ is a beloved classic, so I must confess that I'm on the lookout for fresh interpretations from ENB this year. The Royal Ballet also has "The Dream" and ā€œSleeping Beautyā€ running throughout June. ā€œThe Dreamā€ based on Shakespeare's ā€œA Midsummer Night's Dreamā€ always brings a breath of fresh air to the stage with its mischievous fairies, endearing human characters and of course, the legendary dance of the Athenian revelers! As for ā€œSleeping Beauty,ā€ darling, well, itā€™s a timeless fairytale classic that everyone, even my granddaughter, could enjoy. It truly brings a touch of fairytale magic to the stage with its opulent sets, enchanting music and of course, the mesmerizing choreography. Speaking of captivating music, my darling, we must not forget the London Symphony Orchestra. The Royal Opera House has arranged a special "Evening of Dance" performance for June 10th. A magnificent opportunity to be swept away by the melodies that perfectly complement the movement of a classical ballet. I shall certainly be dusting off my best jewellery for this delightful evening. **Paris, the City of Romance** Now letā€™s whisk ourselves to Paris, the city that radiates romance! The Paris Opera Ballet has something special planned. In June theyā€™ll be hosting ā€œThe Rite of Springā€ - that explosive, avant-garde piece. The movement is raw, and the music... ah, well, you must experience it yourself. You canā€™t be prepared for the primal power and raw emotion of Stravinsky's score! Remember, my darlings, it was a scandalous ballet back in 1913, and I assure you, it still possesses the power to shock. **Across the Atlanticā€¦** Oh, New York! The New York City Ballet will be presenting Jerome Robbinsā€™ masterfully curated evening of ballet. ā€œAn Evening of Robbinsā€ will be an incredible journey through Robbinsā€™s unparalleled creativity. You simply cannot be disappointed by an evening dedicated to his visionary, expressive choreography, my dears. His works span many genres ā€“ from classic narrative to modern masterpieces and everything in between. If you're craving some daring artistry with beautiful storytelling woven throughout, make sure you pencil in this performance, darling! As for the American Ballet Theatre, they will be performing ā€œDon Quixoteā€ at the Metropolitan Opera House. Itā€™s a dazzling spectacle with an irresistible mixture of lighthearted humour and brilliant technique. I remember attending the premiere in 1965. We, my dance class, were spellbound! We watched Kitri twirling, leaping, and making our hearts race with each dazzling sequence. Of course, "Don Quixote" also offers stunning music by Minkus and is known for its dramatic plot, comedic moments, and virtuosic choreography. The perfect blend of grace and comic mischief to elevate the mood and banish those winter blues! **Beyond the Usual Suspects** Donā€™t get caught up only in the grand productions, my dears. Remember, there's so much more to explore beyond the big-name ballets. Hereā€™s what you mustnā€™t miss: ā€¢ **"The Joffrey Ballet."** The company will be dancing ā€œThe Dreamā€ ā€“ again! Yes, a new rendition of Shakespeare's magical play. Perhaps their interpretation will bring fresh perspectives to the existing productions? You'll just have to see for yourself. ā€¢ **The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.ā€** These pioneers of modern dance bring something totally different to the stage, with contemporary movement, powerful expression, and raw emotion! Don't be fooled by the ā€œdance theatreā€ title, darling, they perform with the same precision and grace of classical ballet dancers. The Ailey company is known for their athleticism and technical prowess and a wide range of expressive choreography, exploring stories, emotions and experiences. Be prepared to be deeply moved and deeply inspired, my dear. ā€¢ **"Ballet West"**. And if you happen to be in Utah this June, make sure you visit ā€œBallet Westā€! My favourite thing about this company, my darlings, is its ability to present classical masterpieces while still giving their own modern twist. And this month, Ballet West is showcasing Tchaikovsky's iconic ā€œSwan Lake.ā€ Be prepared to be swept away by the emotional narrative, breathtaking costumes, and magnificent choreography. **My personal recommendations** My darlings, you may find my taste in dance to be a little "classical", even bordering on the "traditional", but I truly believe that the classical canon serves as the foundation for all that follows in the dance world. I highly recommend immersing yourselves in those quintessential classics this June. It's the perfect way to remind ourselves of the magic, the power and the timeless beauty of classical ballet. As I step into June, Iā€™m utterly thrilled about the adventures and enchantment it will bring through dance. Be sure to pick up the latest copy of Vogue for inspiration on your evening ensembles for the shows! Don't forget to write to me and tell me all about the amazing productions you're planning to see! Remember to share your thoughts on those modern twists on the classics as well! Now go on, darling, get out there and enjoy a whirl of elegant motion and mesmerizing stories on the stage! I await your charming news with anticipation. Until next month, **Au revoir**