First White House Dance Event

Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy
Young Dancers at the White House Dance Event on Tuesday.  Hosted by the First Lady, the dance event was tribute to Judith Jamison, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater who is stepping down from her position in 2011 after 20 years as director.

I was able to watch the video of the first White House dance event before it was no longer available - performances by dance companies such as the New York City Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Super CR3W, (an amazingly talented acrobatic hip hop dance group) The Washington Ballet, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and an excerpt from Billy Eliot the Musical.    My favorite piece?  "[...] Ashley Bouder and Daniel Ullbricht of New York City Ballet showed that ballet can be equally energetic in its own way with a lively performance of George Balanchine's Tarantella."
All in all, a stunning performance by talented artists!

On YouTube I found the wonderful warm-up class that they gave to the young students from around the country.  Really, really nice - a great learning experience!  (I'm pretty sure I recognize one of the older girls there from my NYC summer intensive!)