Bringing the world to Philadelphia for 50 years with Randy Swartz by Camille Bacon-Smith

Dance presenter F. Randolph Swartz retired in 2020, and Penn Live Arts finally gets the chance to honor his work and contributions to the city. Camille Bacon-Smith profiles.

BalletX prevails with its 2022 Spring Series by Camille Bacon-Smith

After having to cancel much of its run in April due to Covid-19, BalletX returns to the stage with works from Matthew Neenan, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, and Jennifer Archibald as part of its Spr…

Philadelphia Ballet presents Hans van Manen’s Humankind by Camille Bacon-Smith

Philadelphia Ballet says goodbye to longtime dancer Jermel Johnson in this program from choreographer Hans van Manen, who has his own retirement announcement. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Sharp Dance Company presents Haven by Camille Bacon-Smith

The company brings its spring series back to its South Philly roots as the new artist in residence at Equilibrium Dance Academy. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.

PHILADANCO! presents RE (RE-vived and Archived, RE-visited and RE-constructed) by Camille Bacon-Smith

On the night founder Joan Myers Brown received the Avenue of the Arts Visionary Award, PHILADANCO! gave us a taste of that vision to open its 52nd year. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and guiding the next generation of dancers by Camille Bacon-Smith

Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa talks with Camille Bacon-Smith about returning to the stage as a mentor for this year’s BalletX choreographic fellow Tsai Hsi Hung.

Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers presents its 2022 Spring Home Series by Camille Bacon-Smith

KYL/D returns to live, in-person performance while also debuting at its new home, the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, with three works by its founder. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca present Ni Bien Ni Mal, Todo Lo Contrario by Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith previews Soledad Barrio and Noche Flamenca’s Ni Bien Ni Mal, Todo Lo Contrario, marking a return to the stage for the company.

Penn Live Arts presents Rennie Harris’s Lifted by Camille Bacon-Smith

The latest full-length narrative dance from Rennie Harris is a sharp, athletic, emotional retelling of the biblical prodigal son. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

The Philadelphia Ballet presents Bold, Brilliant, Balanchine by Camille Bacon-Smith

The Philadelphia Ballet performs a trio of neoclassical ballet works, helmed by artistic director Angel Corella. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.

Philadelphia Ballet presents Swan Lake by Camille Bacon-Smith

Artistic director of the Philadelphia Ballet Angel Corella talks the upcoming performance of Swan Lake and the influences behind this fresh take for modern audiences. Camille Bacon-Smith pre…

Philadelphia’s Black male ballet dancers share their journeys to the stage—and what the future may hold by Camille Bacon-Smith

Following a panel discussion featuring Black alumni of the Philadelphia Ballet, Camille Bacon-Smith asked other Philly-connected Black male ballet dancers how they got into the field, what t…

The Kimmel Cultural Campus presents Philadelphia Ballet’s New Work for a New World by Camille Bacon-Smith

Philadelphia Ballet makes the Kimmel Cultural Campus’s Perelman Theater its new home for contemporary ballet performances, beginning with New Work for a New World. Camille Bacon-Smith revi…

Stepping it up with Chocolate Ballerina Company’s The Nutcracker: Dipped in Chocolate by Camille Bacon-Smith

Chocolate Ballerina Company founder and artistic director Chanel Holland talks about the company’s take on The Nutcracker, making space for dances based on the African diaspora, and more. …

PHILADANCO! and the Kimmel Cultural Center present Fast Forward… Unique Voices by Camille Bacon-Smith

PHILADANCO! returns to honor its 50th anniversary with Fast Forward... Unique Voices, a celebration that was postponed due to Covid-19. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Philadelphia Ballet presents George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker by Camille Bacon-Smith

Camille Bacon-Smith talks with dancers from the Philadelphia Ballet on their latest production of The Nutcracker and the variety of challenges the classic show still presents for its perform…

SHARP Dance Company presents The Other Side by Camille Bacon-Smith

The Sharp Dance Company presents its fall home series, the Other Side, with a collection of videos and live contemporary and modern dances with a touch of hip-hop flair. Camille Bacon-Smith …

The Philadelphia Ballet presents The Spark by Camille Bacon-Smith

Following a surprising rebrand, the Philadelphia Ballet’s season opener at the Performance Garage is everything fans expect from the company. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Philly Fringe 2021: Dancefusion and Movement Migration present Dance Voices by Camille Bacon-Smith

Philly’s Dancefusion teamed with the visiting troupe Movement Migration to present Dance Voices, a double bill of five pieces by the two companies, an interesting mix of modern styles for …

Stepping through time and space with Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers' Where is my B-O-D-Y by Camille Bacon-Smith

KYL/D's performance of Where is my B-O-D-Y explores how to move through spaces in new ways in the face of adversity and changing bodies. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.

Philly Fringe 2021: Asimina Chremos presents The Engine by Camille Bacon-Smith

Asimina Chremos conducts audiences to a time when trains were running at the Rail Park in The Engine, her new Fringe piece. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

Back on stage with BalletX's Sunset, o639 Hours by Camille Bacon-Smith

BalletX opens its 2021-2022 season with a full-length ballet, Sunset, o639 Hours, at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre. Camille Bacon-Smith previews.

Who decides on the outside of the Philadelphia Museum of Art? by Camille Bacon-Smith

As new plans for a people-friendly Parkway roll out, the Philadelphia Museum of Art remains an important part of Philly’s public space—but do the people on the outside matter? Camille Ba…

Lily Kind presents Wolfthicket by Camille Bacon-Smith

Choreographer Lily Kind presents an evening of club dancing, contemporary dance, and child’s play with Wolfthicket, a real pre-Fringe find. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

A rebrand at the Annenberg Center is true to a move beyond the building by Camille Bacon-Smith

The arts presenter headquartered at the Annenberg Center goes back to its roots with a new name: Penn Live Arts. Camille Bacon-Smith explores the update.

Dance lovers ask why the Pennsylvania Ballet is now the Philadelphia Ballet by Camille Bacon-Smith

As arts producers across town return to in-person performance, the former Pennsylvania Ballet announced a surprising rebrand. Camille Bacon-Smith asks whether it’s moving the company forwa…

Exploring the new early American galleries at the Philadelphia Museum of Art by Camille Bacon-Smith

The new Robert L. McNeil Jr. Galleries, showcasing art and objects from 1650 to 1850 with a focus on Philadelphia, tell a story many of us still need to hear. Camille Bacon-Smith visits.

Reconnecting this summer with BalletX’s Andrea Yorita and Zachary Kapeluck by Camille Bacon-Smith

Designing through the pandemic with Martha Chamberlain by Camille Bacon-Smith

BalletX presents Alia Kache and R. Colby Damon at Glen Foerd by Camille Bacon-Smith

BalletX presents new works by company favorite R. Colby Damon and 2021 choreographic fellow Alia Kache in a live performance outdoors at the Glen Foerd Mansion. Camille Bacon-Smith reviews.

The Pennsylvania Ballet presents ‘Resilience’ by Camille Bacon-Smith

The Pennsylvania Ballet returns with ‘Resilience,’ a streaming program filmed at the Performance Garage and featuring choreographers Christopher Wheeldon, George Balanchine, Angel Corell…