Tag: gaynor minden

Beyond Pink Satin: Dancewear Companies Reckon with Implicit Bias

Implicit bias and racial stereotyping are rampant in the dance world . That’s a fact dancers of color have always known. But the anti-racism protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd—protests whose effects have reverberated through a myriad of industries—are bringing new attention to the problem. Though dance has been heavily influenced by Black […]

Happy Father's Day to All the Dance Dads Out There

Dance dads are awesome for lots of reasons. They support our dreams no matter what, inspire us with their unique improv skills, prove that you really can’t be tutu committed to Parents’ Night at the dance studio, and have always been our first—and favorite!—dance partners. In tribute to the unofficial honor society that is Dance […]

Pointe Shoe Picks

Whether it’s your first pair or your 50th, picking out the right pointe shoes can be difficult. Dance Spirit talked to Victoria Lyman, owner of Allegro Dance Boutique in Evanston and Barrington, IL—the Joffrey Academy of Dance’s shop of choice—to get the lowdown on the latest shoes. These picks are comfortable, flexible and quieter than […]

Gaynor Minden Just Changed the Ballet World

We all know that “nude” colored leos, technique shoes and tights have a woefully limited definition of “nude.” Dancers with darker skin tones are hard pressed to find something that works for them, since regularly available colors only work for people with light, pink-toned skin. Everyone remembers Michaela DePrince‘s mom in First Position, talking about […]

Pointe Shoes—Courtesy the Sun

There’s all kinds of shoe news this week! Yesterday you heard about the prototype shoe that can teach you how to dance. Today, check out this article about a “solar-powered ballet shoe factory.” Yup, that’s right: A factory in Lawrence, MA will soon be powered entirely by solar panels that are in the process of […]