And That Was Just…
…The First Act!
SARATOGA SPRINGS – On this night, the atmospherics reigned supreme. For those who are hoping for a tech analysis of the National Ballet of Cuba’s debut performance of Giselle at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Wednesday, June 6 – I would refer you elsewhere (The Gazette had a fine review for instance: Here’s the LINK.) But I can tell you definitively that from an “absorbing the overall vibe” standpoint, you could not do better than tonight. For it became an evening of two acts, each with their own separate rhythms, yet perfectly compatible with each other. The precision of ‘Giselle,’ followed by the controlled frenzy at Alta Havana’s after-party performance at the Jazz Bar, made for a complete evening under perfect weather conditions.
The camera worked overtime, catching both acts. What struck me as I watched the night unfold is that all of this programming was new here: The National Ballet of Cuba’s Debut, and the Jazz Bar’s revival – neither were a part of SPAC at this time last year. But SPAC has become a bigger tent now, which portends well for those who visit this season.
Enjoy the Gallery. And your visits this summer.
A TWO ACT GALLERY ON A PERFECT EVENING
Arthur Gonick
June 8, 2018
