China Wrap-up

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 | All Posts by Matt Naughtin, Perpetual Motion: SFB on Tour | 2 Comments

Now that I’m back home and de-jetlagged, I have a few last thoughts and some photos I’d like to share from China.

First, Michele Inaba asked about the composition of audiences in China, and the interest in ballet by the press and general public. The audiences seemed to contain a healthy mix of the young and middle-aged, but very few elderly people, for whom ballet may be a new-fangled western import. There were a good number of westerners, especially in Beijing with its large diplomatic population. I couldn’t read any local newspapers, and the channels on the TVs in the hotels were dominated by state-produced programs and international cable fare, so I don’t know what kind of coverage we received locally. I know the local arts communities and the educated classes were interested and enthusiastic, as evidenced by the attendance at parties and events given for the Ballet.

Wherever I went I sensed a distinct cultural difference between the elderly and the more westernized younger generations. Old people are respected and cared for, but their world of bicycles, rickshaws and hutongs with narrow winding streets is rapidly being replaced by automobiles, high-rises and freeways.

Here is a short photo journal of the trip, starting with my first view of Shanghai from the window of my hotel room the night we arrived.

The view from my hotel room.

Bamboo scaffolding is still universally used for construction projects. I am told it’s stronger, pound for pound, than steel.

Guest Conductor Charles Barker leads the first rehearsal of Swan Lake with the Shanghai Philharmonic.

Guest Conductor Gary Sheldon rehearses the mixed-repertory program with the Wan Fang Youth Symphony.

The winding street next to our hotel contained a busy market in pets and insects, particularly crickets. Cricket fights have been a popular betting event in China since the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). These guys look like heavyweights.

On to Beijing and rehearsals with the Symphony Orchestra of the Chinese National Opera and Dance Drama Company. Charles gives some encouraging words and a pat on the shoulder to the harpist, who has a big solo in the Second Act of Swan Lake.

My comrade-in-arms, the Music Librarian of the Beijing orchestra, a very helpful gentleman named Chung.

A performance of Peking Opera at the Guild Hall Theater: lots of vivid colors, gongs, cymbals, singing and acrobatics. Who cares what the story was—it was delirious sensory overload.

Conductor Gary Sheldon was determined to get “Rolexes” for himself and his wife at the Yashow Market. It took a half-hour of bargaining, but Gary is a patient man and came away with a good deal. The watches even worked—after he took them to the repair shop in the background.

The dancers’ tour of the Forbidden City in Beijing turned into a love-fest between them and Chinese children, who flocked around to get their pictures taken with these tall westerners.

On my last day in Beijing I went for a walk in Bei Hai Park, a beautiful area along the shores of a lake northwest of the Forbidden City. This little girl looks like she’s ready to be one of the butterflies in Act II of Nutcracker.

There was a lovely little tea house by the lake, and I savored a serene half-hour sipping tea and watching people and rickshaws go by—one of my fondest memories of the trip.

Would I go back to China? I’d have my bags packed in an instant. I loved the people and the places I got to see, and would love to explore more of this great country. That said, I’m glad to be back and looking forward to revving up Nutcracker again and plunging into the new season.

Tags: China Tour

As Good as it Gets?

Friday, October 16th, 2009 | All Posts by Matt Stewart, Perpetual Motion: SFB on Tour | No Comments

This summer was shaping up to be the best summer a person could reasonably ask for. Three weeks after the end of a successful 2009 repertory season I was able to record my first album, No Return Address, with some great friends from the Ballet, including soloist James Sofranko, former master electrician at SFB Dennis Hudson, and my twin brother, Benjamin Stewart.

Me, Jim, and Ben working in the studio

A short two weeks later, I’m in North Carolina walking down the aisle with my wife (Courtney Elizabeth) for the first time as “Mr. and Mrs. Stewart.” The feelings during and after the ceremony were overwhelming. I felt as good as I had always dreamed I would, just a flood of joy and peace. It was an amazing wedding week; no regrets whatsoever.

Mr. and Mrs. Stewart!

We then flew off to our honeymoon location of Prince Edward Island, which we chose because of our mutual love of the Anne of Green Gables series. It’s a quiet and charming island with miles of scenic drives, and plenty of space to just relax and get away from the world for a moment.

Here we are enjoying our honeymoon destination: Prince Edward Island

I’m not sure if everyone else feels the same way, but when things are going so perfectly, you start to wonder when the bottom is going to fall out. Well, it’s four months later and I’d say things are still looking up!

Courtney and I have moved into a wonderful new apartment only minutes from work. And we have an actual view! We had a great time releasing my CD in August at Crimson Lounge, as well as debuting another singer/songwriter in the Company, Shannon Roberts. She has a voice, as you may have noticed during West Side Story Suite. And I found out that WSSS was the first time she sang in front of an audience OR her parents! Talent! I’m going to have to collaborate with her for sure. Keep an eye out for her!

Performing at the release party at the Crimson Lounge

Then we had the tour to China: not a bad follow-up to the summer’s events— what a cultural experience. It was kind of a shock the first time I looked out my window in Shanghai and saw the magnitude of the buildings in that city. Four years in NYC couldn’t prepare me for that!

The view from my hotel room

The number of people is worth noting too; never again will I feel crowded in Union Square or Golden Gate Park! The highlight of the trip for me, and it was surprisingly emotional, was standing on the Great Wall. It had been a dream of mine to visit the Wall ever since I saw pictures and video of it as a student in Minnesota. I wrote it off as a dream that I would never get to realize since I was a middle-class Midwesterner and didn’t expect to leave the borders of the US. Boy did I ever! Thanks to SFB I’ve had the privilege of touring to Paris, Athens, London, Iceland, and now China.

Here I am on the Great Wall!

On the last day of the China Tour, another positive event occurred. I’m excited to announce that it’s easier than ever to access my music because as of September 2009, I’m on iTunes! (Search Matt Stewart, No Return Address, since there’s ANOTHER Matt Stewart on iTunes.) I think that one of the best ways to get to know me is to get to know my music. It’s truly a privilege for me to be able to share my music with people, and I hope you stop by and check it out.

A screenshot of my album on iTunes

After such a great summer I’m really looking forward to the rest of the dance season. A highlight for me last year was getting to dance in Russian Seasons as the Violet Man, and I can’t wait to revisit that role. Some other things I’m looking forward to are Paul Taylor’s Company B, John Neumeier’s The Little Mermaid, and Helgi Tomasson’s Romeo & Juliet. I really encourage you to come see these ballets if you get a chance. This season promises to be an exciting one, and who knows, maybe you’ll get to see my wife and me dance together!

See you in the Opera House!

Tags: Ben Stewart, China Tour, Courtney Elizabeth, James Sofranko, Matt Stewart

A Trip to the Summer Palace

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009 | All Posts by Quinn Wharton, Perpetual Motion: SFB on Tour | 1 Comment

The Summer Palace is the most intense cultural experience I’ve had in China so far, excluding that evening I got lost in the slums of Shanghai. The Palace is where the emperor and his family would go during the summers to escape the city heat of Beijing. It’s a glorious, old place resting on a lake northeast of the city. The day I went it was really foggy. So while that obscured the view a bit, it also meant less people which is always preferable when you’re doing touristy things. And the fog actually helped some of the ambiance as well. The grounds contain a large forest that was made more magical by the calm hush of the clouds overhead. And looking out over the lake, all I could see were gentle shapes drifting in a netherworld of white toy boats losing their way in the mist. All of the palace grounds—the gates, the gardens, the pagodas—were all very beautiful, but the centerpiece is what took my breath away.

A boat on the lake in the mist

The main palace consists of two large temples—one in front of the other. Both overlook the lake and are protected by a large gate and courtyard. I had to make my way up five or six huge staircases before finally reaching the top, but the architecture was amazing so there was plenty to see. In my mind, the temples bear a striking resemblance to some Mayan and Aztec structures such as the sets of long, stone stairs and the shapes of the buildings. The only major differences from my perspective are the decorations and fluted roofs tops.

This is only of a portion of the steps to get to the top!

Alexandra McCullagh and Clara Blanco head into the temple

Inside each temple are huge Buddha statues and quite a few tourists praying. These massive, ancient halls are dominated by a single, golden figure so very different from the churches and cathedrals I’m used to seeing in the West. They carry the weight of ancient times. I could easily picture them thousands of years ago: the emperor praying in front of them standing just as tall and impressively as they do now. It made me wonder why we appreciate these connections to our past so much.

The Temple of Buddha Incense

I cherish old buildings and art and places of great significance. I suppose they are reminders of what we have done and where we have come from, which in our quickly changing world is a valuable thing to have. It’s a gentle reminder every now and again to for me step outside my small span of time and feel the sweep of eons past. Then again, maybe we just like to gloat about how great we are now and how far we have come, but I suppose that would be a cynical way of looking at it. Regardless, the Summer Palace was a great trip, and I’m glad I got to experience it.

A wall of Buddha's in the temple

Tags: China Tour

Beijing Journal III

Monday, October 5th, 2009 | All Posts by Matt Naughtin, Perpetual Motion: SFB on Tour | 1 Comment

We’re finished with our performances in Beijing, and the Company has two free days to do some sightseeing and socializing. Sunday: the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Monday: the Great Wall, the Ming Tombs, and a reception at the American Embassy.

A pagoda in the forest, as photographed by SF Ballet dancer Quinn Wharton.

It’s fun to be traveling with a young and ebullient bunch of natural-born performers. The dancers hammed it up at the Forbidden City, striking ballet poses and doing lifts in front of the palaces while delighted Chinese people snapped pictures or had their photos taken with them. People were out in multitudes for the holiday weekend, and while the crowds were amazingly dense, I never felt uncomfortable or constricted. People were happy and relaxed, and we received many smiles and friendly stares (Chinese people aren’t shy about staring at you—they often gathered to watch us haggle with salespeople at the markets.)

I want to thank Frances JZ Fu who posted comments on this blog. You were right—it was me in the rather loud green shirt at Swan Lake. Your comments about Chinese audiences were enlightening, and I followed your advice about places to see in Shanghai.

A few impressions from my three weeks in China:

The Chinese people I have met have been gracious, hospitable, and kind.
They welcome strangers warmly, and are quite honest in commercial transactions (after some vigorous negotiation).
Children and the elderly are cherished.
Pistachios… I love pistachio nuts and they are superb here.
Bargaining (or haggling) is a lively art in China, and can rise to operatic levels of dramatic intensity.
If you want to get somewhere walking or driving, honk your horn (if you’re in a car) and gently but firmly wiggle your way in. There is no such thing as “right of way”.
The concept “sugar-free” does not exist yet in China. The only restaurant I found that offered Diet Coke on the menu was out of it.
Much of the signage, especially in Shanghai, includes somewhat whimsical English translations—sometimes deserving of a smile and a photo.

It looks like Quinn found some of these amusing, also!

I’m getting a second suitcase today to lug home all my loot, and will be heading to the airport tomorrow for the long flight home. I’ve had a grand time here, and have developed a genuine affection for the Chinese people. I hope these journal entries have been enjoyable and a bit informative.

Zai Jenn, and See You Soon!

Tags: China Tour