I’m taking off early this weekend, up to Maine for a long pre-fourth-of-July celebration weekend. I can’t wait to be in my happy place, falling asleep to the sound of waves crashing and waking up to waffles. What are you up to this weekend? For some fun reads around the web…

Diana Vishneva took her final bows with ABT last week.

So bummed to have missed Miami City Ballet opening the season at Jacob’s Pillow.

Have you seen the work of Karolina Kuras? I’m addicted, and loved this podcast interview from Conversations on Dance.

With photos by Ms. Kuras, this interview featuring National Ballet of Canada Principal Sonia Rodriguez provides a refreshing combination of humanism and prima secrets.

I’m joining the team at Wonderful World of Dance! Look out for exclusive articles and interviews as I dive deeper into dance blogging.

This weekend is pvdFEST- a huge Festival of artists invading my city to perform, install, and stomp around downtown. Next week I’m headed up to the Berkshires to rehearse and perform a piece of choreography done by one of my favorite people, as a part of the project of another of my favorite people, in one of my favorite places- Jacob’s Pillow! I’m pretty excited to head back to my old stomping grounds (see vintage shot of 17-year-old Keeks at the Pillow above), and I’ll be sure to keep you updated, but for now…

How Boston Ballet’s Misa Kuranaga became a world-class ballerina.

The rebirth of David Hallberg.

A poignant review of Justin Peck’s The Decalogue. 

Obsessed with these new socks specifically designed for dancers– review coming soon!

A surprisingly well-rounded list: The 51 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time.

Community Day at Jacob’s Pillow– if you’re local, come out and see! Free dance for all!

Zarely is giving away some of their seriously *wonderful* gear. #zarelyperfectlines to enter.

I’ll also be heading to Vail Dance Festival this August to cover and review the performances in Colorado! SUPER excited to bring you guys behind-the-scenes at one of ballet’s most inspiring Festivals. Stay tuned…

The 39th season has official come to a close, and I am quickly gearing up for my trip to New Zealand! M and I take off Friday(!) to Queenstown…any recommendations? In the meantime, some fun reads from around the web…

A review!

This Buzzfeed article profiling Royal Ballet principal Marianela Núñez is so well-written and refreshing! Loved every word.

Swan Lake in-the-round at English National Ballet.

Yannick Boquin’s notes on connecting barre with center.

The Coveteur discovers a day with Tiler Peck.

Couldn’t stop smiling at this young boy Gabe getting vocal about his love of ballet- SO endearing.

Flash Footage: The Decalogue.

I wore my Zarely performance tights during the Cinderella run and felt *magical*. Get 20% your order with the code KIRSTENZARELY at checkout.

photo by Jenay Evans

This week I’ve been pushing a bit harder, giving myself a class every morning and attempting to rehabilitate my body.  In short, everything hurts.  Shelby’s face in the photo above describes my feelings pretty accurately.  Here are some fun things that have been distracting me from the pain…

Morning walks.

My dear Emily’s words on confidence came at just the right time this week.

Beyond the barre.

The most accurate description of fresh farmer’s market tomatoes I’ve ever read.

A career in the corps.

PSA: Go see this movie.

Plate it.

Vintage Olympics.

Speaking of Olympics, this article makes a lot of good points about the dancing in female gymnast’s floor routines. (somehow I’ve never questioned why the male gymnasts don’t dance…)

photo via.

It’s been a homework-filled, muggy hot week.  I can’t wait to escape up to Boston for a few days off.  Some fun things from around the web…

Excited to see my best friends perform in Cambridge this weekend!

Vegetable sushi bowls.

Help!  Sesamoiditis just made me get these babies.  Any styling advice?

Women having a terrible time at parties in Western Art History, ha. (via Joanna)

Never despise the mundane.
Embrace it.
Unwrap it like a gift.
See something more in the everyday.

A make-believe Paris morning, swoon.

…speaking of Paris, I’d like to plan a make-believe Normandy morning.  Must-not-miss (see, taste, hear, do) suggestions welcome.

Picking grapes, sorting the laundry.

My heart hangs so low for the victims of monstrosity in Orlando.  What JetBlue is doing for the families of victims is pretty darn cool.

Hello friends!  I’m headed to Maine with (lots of) friends for the long weekend.  In case you need some distraction from the last few hours of this week’s work…

The most beautiful partnering by Lauren Lovette and Jared Angle in Justin Peck’s Belles Lettres. (equally gorgeous embroidery on the costumes pictured above)

The swimming specifics of San Fransisco Ballet’s Frances Chung. (love the note about winging your foot to promote proper muscle memory)

William Forsythe is saying Au Revoir Paris and Hello Boston. (welcome to Beantown, Bill)

Alessandra as Juliet. (watched it 3 times in one night)

I’ll be in France (!) when NYCB does A Midsummer Night’s Dream in Saratoga, but I’ll be back just in time for Jewels. (be sure to watch that Midsummer preview all the way through)

Maria Kotchetkova talks personal style and mental strength with Vogue. (“a sweatshirt is never just a sweatshirt” + sheer ennui)

Craig Hall retired from NYCB. (this little video featuring a pas de deux from the Peck/Stevens ballet Year of the Rabbit would probably make Wes Anderson happy)