Hi, I'm Robynn, and I'm a student of the potential of the body, the marvels of the mind, and the beauty of it all combined in ballet.
As the editor, BodyMindBallet is where I get to learn, to share and to enjoy this wide world of dance - and with every day I gain an ever richer respect for the athleticism of dance and the skill of performance artistry.
What started as a clever marketing initiative to attract new audiences to the ballet, has now evolved into an exciting competition for ballet studios and dance groups. South African Mzansi Ballet (SAMB) has taken their good idea – of allowing select studios to perform during their Don Quixote intervals – and created an even better […]
“Burlesque is fast becoming one of the world’s most celebrated variety entertainment acts. There is nothing quite like it and with the talent we have in South Africa, I believe that burlesque’s moment has arrived.” – Dirk Badenhorst, SA ballet entrepreneur and co-director of Big Top Burlesque In fact, “the moment” arrives on Friday 21 […]
Following successful runs in Cape Town and Johannesburg, Cape Town City Ballet’s popular production Night & Day – a tribute to the vibrant life and memorable music of Cole Porter – will be performed at The Playhouse for the first time from 4 to 7 July 2013. Cole Porter achieved huge success in the 1920s […]
We can joke about being able to do something with our eyes closed, but that’s exactly what Alicia Alonso learnt to do, what she had to do to succeed. Diagnosed with a detached retina at the age of 19 – which was just the beginning of her vision problems that were to worsen throughout her […]
For aspiring young ballet dancers wanting to follow in Michaela DePrince or Joan Sebastian Zamora’s grand jeté steps – two dancers who excelled at the Youth America Grand Prix competition, as seen in the movie First Position – you’ll want to be at Montecasino in Johannesburg for South African auditions on Sunday 30 June. The […]
Now in its ninth year, the Baxter Dance Festival will take place from 3 to 12 October 2013, showcasing the dynamic and diverse dance talent from Cape Town and across the Western Cape. The festival organisers are calling for entries from dance studios, schools, companies, groups and independent dance-makers, as well as proposals from choreographers […]
Are you injury-prone, struggling with your flexibility, weight or your health? What if it turned out that you have some hidden agendas and unconscious motives relating to your physical body? “No way” you say? Well, you may just change your mind, quite literally, after hearing this evening talk on 30 May 2013 where Dr John […]
Just for a quick laugh, enjoy this short video compilation (only 2 minutes 23 seconds) of some of the most incredible salsa and merengue dancing dogs. Of course, if you’re in Cape Town on Saturday 25 May 2013, you could see some more smart and sassy dancing doggies as part of a variety of professional […]
Due to the success of Private Presley – Bovim Ballet’s latest Rock-‘n-Roll ballet – this toe-tapping tribute to the king is back in Cape Town for a second season, this time at the Baxter Theatre from 4 to 15 June 2013 with a few new faces in the lead roles. “I am so excited to […]
As part of its 60th Anniversary Celebrations, the South African Guide-Dogs Association for the Blind will be hosting a very grand Diamond Jubilee Gala Concert at the Joburg Theatre on Wednesday 5 June 2013, including performances from some of the country’s top artistes to a full live orchestra. Time to bring out those evening dresses […]
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A few surprises revealed in Joburg Ballet’s Don Quixote casting
Don Quixote is known to be one of the most lively, big, bold and vibrant ballets, and we should be expecting exciting things from Joburg Ballet who love to snatch every opportunity to show off their virtuoso skills. Don Quixote opens at the Joburg Theatre tonight, 28 August, and runs until 13 September 2015, but […]
Joburg’s leading dancers perform in Ballet Highlights Gala – new format, new venue
For three performances only, Joburg Ballet are visiting a new venue with a shorter one-hour programme at a smaller price-point, aiming to take the best ballet highlights to more people. And with an impressive sounding line-up of popular dance pieces, you might want to take up the opportunity too at the Roodepoort Theatre this weekend […]
Cape Town City Ballet takes Thumbelina to Pietermaritzburg
On 8 and 9 July, the full-length ballet of Thumbelina, a Cape Town City Ballet Youth project, will be on stage at the Hilton College Theatre produced in association with the KZN Midlands Youth Ballet Company. Starring nine principal dancers from the Cape Town City Ballet in the leading roles, and 71 ballet students from […]
Grand classical Russian ballet tour to open in South Africa this week
Having already toured to 36 cities in France since the start of the year, the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre open their South African tour on Wednesday 6 May at Montecasino in Johannesburg performing Giselle, followed by Don Quixote and Swan Lake before they head to Cape Town to perform Swan Lake at Artscape from 19 […]
A few surprises revealed in Joburg Ballet’s Don Quixote casting
Don Quixote is known to be one of the most lively, big, bold and vibrant ballets, and we should be expecting exciting things from Joburg Ballet who love to snatch every opportunity to show off their virtuoso skills. Don Quixote opens at the Joburg Theatre tonight, 28 August, and runs until 13 September 2015, but […]
Joburg’s leading dancers perform in Ballet Highlights Gala – new format, new venue
For three performances only, Joburg Ballet are visiting a new venue with a shorter one-hour programme at a smaller price-point, aiming to take the best ballet highlights to more people. And with an impressive sounding line-up of popular dance pieces, you might want to take up the opportunity too at the Roodepoort Theatre this weekend […]
Video: Is ballet a sport? Are dancers athletes?
In her recent sports and fitness article, Discovery’s online editor, Catherine Davis, asked: Is ballet a sport? And, are ballerinas athletes? To any aspiring and professional dancer, the answers to these questions are painfully obvious. Painful in more ways than one, but sadly only obvious to some. The art and pursuit of making dance look […]