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.

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!

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

]]> http://www.sfballetblog.org/2009/10/a-trip-to-the-summer-palace/feed/ 1 http://www.sfballetblog.org/2009/10/beijing-journal-iii/ http://www.sfballetblog.org/2009/10/beijing-journal-iii/#comments Mon, 05 Oct 2009 22:16:47 +0000 Matt Naughtin http://www.sfballetblog.org/?p=1447 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!

We arrived in Beijing on Sunday. It was a painless flight: two hours from wheels up to touch down. The air in Beijing was some of the strangest I have ever been in. It was around 4pm when we got in, so it was heading towards dusk, but there was no sunset. It seemed as if there was just cloud cover but there were no clouds: just a dense, smoggy murk that went from white, through shades of gray, to black. You could look directly at the sun and not hurt your eyes. Luckily the next morning proved that it wasn’t a constant state. The sun has been out quite a bit now. The gloom seems to set in just by the time dusk hits.

We took class and rehearsed a bit that Monday, and ran through most of the mixed-rep program in Beijing Ballet’s studio. When we got back to our hotel, it was time to head out for a big birthday party dinner. It was both Hansuke Yamamoto‘s and Frances Chung‘s birthdays that day, so it was time to celebrate. Personally, I am not a big fan of large parties. If they aren’t organized by a trained professional, things can quickly become disastrous. (Even trying to order dinner with five people is difficult, let alone figuring out the check.) So I was feeling particularly fearful when I stepped out of the elevator and saw roughly 30 people waiting in the lobby. This was going to be a nightmare, I thought.

I asked Dana [Genshaft] where we were going, since she and Liz [Miner] seemed to be in charge of organizing the outing. I found out we were headed to a tiny restaurant which, according to the concierge, was located in a maze of alleyways and impossible to find. Then there was the added obstacle of, not having a reservation. How do you show up at a restaurant with no reservation, 30 people, and expect to eat? It’s just not done! So with serious dread, we embarked: a 30-something group of cross-cultural dancers, hungry and noisy.

The group about to get on the subway

We took the subway, which was in itself quite an adventure. It was a simple process, but we still had to make sure everyone had a ticket and got on the right train.

Diego Cruz (surrounded by lots of other dancers) in the Beijing subway station

We got off the train in a dark, quiet area. Down each small alley we saw locals eating dinner together. Everyone stared at us as we passed, probably not used to seeing so many foreigners at once. We walked for about 15 minutes. I was losing hope (and growing hungrier) second by second. We stopped to get directions from some cooks hanging out at a fast food pick-up window.

Here are the guys that pointed us in the right direction!

Just a few minutes later, we were headed down a small broken-down alley. Looking at the entrance to the restaurant, my fears were confirmed: it was trashed, just a ramshackle of roofing, brick, and wood.

But once I stepped inside, I was shocked; the outside was just a facade. They had taken a small house, built around a courtyard, and redone the interior to make it a beautiful modern restaurant, akin to something you would see in San Francisco, like Beretta, or The Ramp.

The interior of the restaurant

Our good fortune continued when we met the owner. It turned out that they were having a slow night, so after some careful negotiation, we agreed to each pay 120 RMB (about $20 USD), and he would start bringing out food. So not only did we find a beautiful setting, but we got a chef-prepared banquet for everyone. It was easy and simple, so everyone settled in comfortably. I guess it was one of those fluke things where the universe comes together to support what you’re doing.

The girls pose for a picture in the restaurant

I honestly have no idea what we ate, but all of it was good and there was plenty of it! Apparently it was all Malaysian food. We finished off the evening at the restaurant’s sister bar, called BED, and taking that over as well. I was lucky enough to get a chance to commandeer their sound system for a while and DJ’d for the group for about an hour.

Walking to BED

Frances and I ended up being the last patrons there, since we got stuck talking to the production crew of Cats that was just leaving town the next day. It was late by the time we left; lucky for us cabs were still plentiful and we were able to make our way home. It turned out to be one of the best birthday parties I’ve been to in a long time. And it taught me not to doubt a situation so much; it just creates a lot of groundless worry that taints the air.

5:48pm

I have been in Beijing for about five days now, and have been so busy adjusting, rehearsing, sightseeing and sleeping, I have had trouble finding time to blog. Sorry for the long absence, there is much to catch up on.

Today is the day after China’s National Day, and though the celebrating will continue for another three days, the biggest spectacle has already happened. Yesterday the city basically shut down everywhere but Tian’anmen Square. To ensure that the parade and the fireworks were absolutely perfect, many precautions were taken. Most roads were closed, shops and restaurants were closed, airplanes shot rain-seeding pellets into the clouds to make it rain the night before, consequently ensuring a bright sunny day for the 1st. The airport was closed for three hours and our stage managers weren’t allowed to use radio communication. Most people weren’t allowed to see the parade in person; it is mostly for government officials and diplomats. Though it would have been amazing to see in person, what I did see of it on CCTV9 (China’s National News and Entertaiment broadcasting agency) was unlike anything I have witnessed before. There were hundreds of tanks rolling right next to the Forbidden City, thousands of people in perfect formations smiling, marching, and dancing their way down Dong Chang’an Avenue. The streets were empty around the hotel and theater, and it must have been because people were either in the parade or watching it at home on their TV’s.

We found this bus for an acrobatic company participating in the National Day celebrations. I think Ludmila would fit right in, don't you?

Last night was big not just for China. SF Ballet opened its run in Beijing!!! We performed our mixed-rep program for the last time in China. It was a fun show to do and the audience, many of them UN and Embassy workers, was very enthusiastic. It was nice to hear screaming and clapping again! I thought everyone danced beautifully and the only shame was the fact that we had to use a recording for the show.

Tonight we open with the first of our final two shows of Swan Lake in China. Yuan Yuan will dance tonight and Maria Kochetkova will dance tomorrow. This tour has been about flexibility and compromise, but the shows do go on and it has really been an experience to remember. I’m trying to look at the bright side and remember what a great opportunity this is, and it certainly reminds me of how great we have things back in San Francisco.

This is from when we were leaving Shanghai and waiting for instructions.

I have also been doing a little sightseeing, but I’ll be able to do more on Sunday and Monday (our free days). So far I have been to the OX Street Mosque and a Buddhist college down near the Summer Palace. It was a wonderful experience and totally devoid of tourists. In our three hours of exploring, we only saw one other tourist group, which was very friendly! I also had some of the best food I’ve had in China here in Beijing. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it was Russian food! I was at a really inexpensive Russian restaurant close to the hotel, and it was the most hearty and delicious food ever. A group of about 15 of us went, so I was able to try lots of different dishes. Who thought you’d have to go to China to get a perfect Piroshki?

We definitely make time for sightseeing. Ludmila and Kim look tiny next to this lion!

So far the coolest thing that has happened to me in China happened last Tuesday. There was a welcome reception thrown for the company at the St. Regis Hotel. It was just beautiful. The food was delicious; I finally got to try Peking Duck which was as mouthwatering as I hoped it would be. But even more exciting than the duck was getting to meet the newly appointed ambassador. I was fortunate enough to be introduced to Jon Huntsman Jr., who was appointed to his new position by President Obama just a month ago. He and his wife couldn’t have been nicer, or more interested in ballet! The second youngest of their seven children was with them and she was the picture of perfect grace and poise. Did I mention she was seven? My parents would have been ecstatic if I had been even remotely that well-behaved at seven.

SFB dancers make friends everywhere they go!

Well, I have to head back to the theater for the show, but more later! We go to the Great Wall on Monday, so I will have much to report on.

At the entrance to the Antique Market!

One of my favorite memories in Shanghai was when we took a shopping trip to the Antique Market. The Antique Market was the exact picture of what I had imagined China to be like in my head; very rural and authentic, unlike the downtown atmosphere of Shanghai. The market was where I truly felt like I was in a completely different country.

A gorgeous painting of Yuan Yuan in the hallway of her school.

Another thing I enjoyed in Shanghai was being able to take class at the Shanghai Dance School where Yuan Yuan Tan trained when she was younger. Not only was it a nice first class to get my body moving after the long flight, but I also thought it was cool to look into the studios and see how the kids in Shanghai train in comparison to how we train at SFBS.

Apprentice Myles Thatcher and me at the welcome reception in Beijing at the St. Regis

Since we’ve been here in Beijing, my favorite memory so far has been our trip to the Silk Market. It was nothing like I had ever experienced before. Immediately when you go inside and walk down the aisle filled with booths, the people call out to you saying “Lady, would you like jeans? How about shoes for you, beautiful girl? I will give you the best price for this hat!” Sometimes they’ll even grab your hand and try to show you what they have to offer, whipping out their calculators to begin the bargaining process! It was so much fun, and all the bargaining tricks that I picked up in Shanghai definitely came in handy at this huge five-story mall filled with everything you could imagine.

Myles doing a shoulder sit with a girl selling us jeans at the Silk Market. She said she’d give us a good deal if we did ballet for her!

Well I’m off to watch the amazing mixed-repertory show tonight! The mixed-rep show in Shanghai was phenomenal. I was able to watch from backstage, which is always incredible because you can see every detail that goes into every movement. It makes me not only appreciate the work of the dancers, but the minds of the choreographers as well. So, needless to say, I’m looking forward to watching it again here in Beijing and being able to perform in Swan Lake later this week!

The four SF Ballet School girls on tour getting coffee before the mixed-rep show in Shanghai

]]> http://www.sfballetblog.org/2009/10/an-american-girl-in-beijing/feed/ 1 http://www.sfballetblog.org/2009/10/opening-night-and-national-day-in-beijing/ http://www.sfballetblog.org/2009/10/opening-night-and-national-day-in-beijing/#comments Thu, 01 Oct 2009 20:26:30 +0000 Robert Russo http://www.sfballetblog.org/?p=1394 Last night as our technical rehearsals of Swan Lake ended, the dancers, crew, and staff headed back to the hotel since we were advised not to travel in the city; much of which had been locked down in preparations for today’s big military parade.

Today is October 1st, National Day in China and the Celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic, as well as the opening night of San Francisco Ballet’s historic tour to Beijing.

This morning, bright and early, sun shining, all eyes and ears were glued to CCTV (the state television station) where live coverage of the parade was being shown throughout China. More than a million volunteers wearing yellow shirts lined the streets. After breakfast, I headed across the street from the hotel to the Poly Theatre for Company class. Helgi Tomasson was teaching Company class this morning, and I noticed that there was a low rumbling sound coming from the streets. Just as I was walking toward the stage door to go outside to have a look, Debra Bernard, our General Manager, called me on my cell phone to say that she was stuck across the street with several of our dancers, all of whom were unable to get to the theatre, as large blue and white and green camouflage military tanks were parading up the street. The security guards of the Poly Theatre also took time to stop working to go outside and watch the historic events happening outside. An awesome sight indeed!

A shot of the parade in Beijing (photo by Frederic J. Brown/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images)

Back inside at the Poly Theatre, Company class continued. Our dress rehearsal for the mixed-repertory program went well, and everyone managed to be where they needed to be, despite Beijing being closed down.

Before the performance tonight, there was a dinner in the Swissotel for our China Tour Sponsors, Trustees, VIP’s from San Francisco, and special friends. The dinner was a lovely Chinese banquet, complete with a large-scale Chinese dragon carved out of ice on display for our guests. Italian-born Food and Beverage Director of the Swissotel, Mr. Gianmaria Azzoni outdid himself and created a truly memorable evening of food and drink.

The opening night performance of the mixed-repertory program went beautifully. Our fantastic dancers, once again wowed the audience with their brilliant artistry! As an added bonus, I got to go onstage at the end of Distant Cries and hand a bouquet of flowers to Principal Dancer and Shanghai-native Yuan Yuan Tan. A real treat for me!

While the audience inside the Poly Theatre reveled in the delight of our amazing dancers, the city outside enjoyed a thunderous spectacle of fireworks shot off from historic Tian’anmen Square that illuminated the Beijing night sky.

Fireworks over Tian'anmen Square in Beijing (photo by Xinhua/Liu Yu)

Look out Beijing! San Francisco Ballet is in the house!!

Ciao, Robert

The drive to the rehearsal hall impressed me with what a huge city Beijing is. It was relatively easy to get around walking in Shanghai (once you learned how to cross the street without getting run down), but I can see I’ll need to take cabs everywhere here because of how spread out everything is.

The musicians of the orchestra are very friendly, especially a young violinist named Andy who studied in Germany and has gotten me to shake the cobwebs off my high school German and chat a bit. The managers of the orchestra have shown us much hospitality, keeping us supplied with green tea and filling up lunch plates for us from the cafeteria. I met the librarian of the orchestra. He keeps their collection (mainly Chinese operas) in the percussion storage room stacked in loose piles on some metal shelving. (Click here for photos of how I keep things back in San Francisco.)

I have great respect for our conductors, who have to cope with teaching the intricacies of playing for our dancers to a new orchestra in each city we visit. Most orchestras can play Swan Lake, but very few have ever played for an actual danced performance, which requires a wholly different approach to the music. The musicians have to be constantly alert to subtle changes in tempo that can be different each night. It’s difficult for the conductor to transform a symphonic orchestra into a good ballet orchestra in the short time we have to work with them, and our conductors do a splendid job.

Charles Barker and I went to the Silk Market after the rehearsal. We found ourselves being patted, tugged, grabbed and tackled by the most enthusiastically aggressive salespeople I’ve ever encountered. It’s all good fun if you don’t take the strongarm tactics seriously, and get into the game of good-natured bantering that goes on between the salesgirls and their targets.

China's leaders and spectators waited at Tiananmen Gate before the start of the parade. (Photo by David Gray/Reuters)

We wanted to go see a bit of the big 60th anniversary parade today, but the entire city seems to be shut down and we’ve been told we won’t be able to get anywhere close to Tian’anmen Square. I guess we’ll have to be content with watching the festivities on TV like everyone else in the world. I’m hoping we can at least see some fireworks tonight.

Residents gathered around a portable television to watch the festivities. (Photo by Peter Parks/Agence France-Presse -- Getty Images)

More to come.

Zai Jien!

An aerial view of traffic in Shanghai.

On Sunday the Company and Crew boarded two separate Air China flights from Shanghai for the two and a half hour flight up north to Beijing. From the moment we arrived in the capital city and drove to the hotel, we could tell we were in the middle of an extraordinary moment in time: the preparations for the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of the founding of the People’s Republic of China were in full-swing. Red and yellow banners were posted all along the highway flanked by red and yellow flowers lining the roads. On the television news this morning it was announced that for the anniversary celebrations there are a million volunteers in the streets helping to keep things flowing smoothly, and there are more military personnel here in the city now than there were for the Olympics.

Last night we were all treated to a lovely Welcome Reception at the St. Regis Hotel hosted by our tour sponsors. The party was fantastic, with delicious food and drinks and live music, and there was a large ice sculpture of the Golden Gate Bridge! Awesome!

Much of the city is closed now as roads and subways are blocked off for the big day tomorrow – the October 1st anniversary celebrations. Luckily for us, our hotel is across the street from the Poly Theater so we don’t have to worry about not getting to tomorrow’s dress rehearsal of our mixed repertory program.

Tomorrow is the big day: The 60th anniversary celebration of the founding of the People’s Republic of China–and the Opening Night of San Francisco Ballet in Beijing!

Ciao, Robert