April 6, 2020
by jenniferpuryear
We are, you know, at the beginning of Holy Week. I was sad to miss the palm fronds yesterday – thousands of years on, the waving of the palm fronds. Also – I believe – every week is holy. I’m the outgoing chair of Nashville Ballet; the smart and lovely Laura Currie takes my place June 1st. In the meanwhile – and always – please …
November 17, 2019
by jenniferpuryear
Book Title: How to Catch a Mole
What if you were asked to give an account of your life for your 30th Reunion Class Report? Would you do it… and what would you say? * * *
October 27, 2019
by jenniferpuryear
Book Title: A Streetcar Named Desire
Blanche DuBois is falling apart. Shaken – shattered – she’s left her home and moved to New Orleans to live with her sister Stella. There, Blanche falls under the sway of her sister’s husband, played with such heat by Marlon Brando in the 1951 movie. Things don’t end well. Nashville Ballet brings a new version of the Tennessee Williams story to life November 1st to …
September 13, 2019
by jenniferpuryear
Book Titles: Romeo & Juliet, Sweet Sorrow, The Only Story
Give yourself a gift this morning, Bacon friends – listen to one of the greatest rock ballads of all time – “Romeo and Juliet” (Dire Straits). Then stay tuned for my interview with Paul Vasterling, Artistic Director of Nashville Ballet, about next weekend’s performances of “the greatest love story of all time.”
December 18, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Book Titles: Hiddensee, The Once and Future Nutcracker
Even a joyful holiday ballet like The Nutcracker nods gently towards madness, darkness, and fear: in the dangerous Mouse King, first and foremost, and also in the mysterious magician and uncle, Drosselmeier. E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story – on which it is based – tells a darker story than Tchaikovsky’s ballet. Darker yet is Gregory Maguire’s new novel Hiddensee: The Once and Future Nutcracker. “As evidenced especially …
October 1, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Book Title: The Rain in Portugal
Most of the time I’d really rather stay home. I have to fight the good fight against inertia. Maybe you do too! Today’s post features five ways to drench yourself with words unspoken, to live your life with arms wide open – to feel the rain on your skin. I’m featuring Nashville events, but I hope this list will inspire you wherever you live. 1. …
September 1, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Book Titles: Red Notice, Sing Unburied Sing
August departs in a dreadful deluge. But September arrives – I hope, I believe – with hope and hustle, even in times such as these. September strides in with energy and eagerness, industry and effort. Today’s post features one book, two readings, and three performances perfect for this month – plus tremendous gratitude for a home that is safe and dry and those who help …
March 19, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Book Title: Richard Nixon: The Life
It’s Spring Break in Nashville and the city has left the premises. Those of us left behind are possibly dreaming of piña coladas in tropical locations. Today’s post features three fantastic happenings in Nashville this week to distract us from any woes! First up: The Frist Center for the Visual Arts My daughters had friends visiting from out of town, and we all headed down to …
February 11, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
You’ll find Kevin Crumbo and Captain Jack Sparrow out at the park before daybreak, sometimes as early as 4 a.m. Conversations take place in the deep, dark quiet of the woods. Today, Kevin is kind enough to share a recent exchange… From Kevin: “Surprised you went to a ballet tonight,” exclaimed Captain Jack Sparrow, “no one will mistake you for a dance super fan, so …
February 8, 2017
by jenniferpuryear
Why do we go to the Symphony, the Ballet, the theater or any other arts performance or institution? The National Endowment for the Arts asked. “I expected to hear that it is because someone loves a particular form of art, be it opera, theater, symphonic or choral music, painting or sculpture. That is not what the NEA study found,” writes Todd Jones, pastor at First …