Unearthing a treasure trove of archival footage, filmmakers Dan Geller and Dayna Goldfine have fashioned a dazzlingly entrancing ode to the revolutionary twentieth-century dance troupe known as the Ballets Russes. What began as a group of Russian refugees who never danced in Russia became not one but two rival dance troupes who fought the infamous “ballet battles” that consumed London society before World War II.

BALLETS RUSSES maps the company’s Diaghilev-era beginnings in turn-of-the-century Paris--when artists such as Nijinsky, Balanchine, Picasso, Miro, Matisse, and Stravinsky united in an unparalleled collaboration--to its halcyon days of the 1930s and ’40s, when the Ballets Russes toured America, astonishing audiences schooled in vaudeville with artistry never before seen, to its demise in the 1950s and ’60s when rising costs, rocketing egos, outside competition, and internal mismanagement ultimately brought this revered company to its knees.

Directed with consummate invention and infused with juicy anecdotal interviews from many of the company’s glamorous stars, BALLETS RUSSES treats modern audiences to a rare glimpse of the singularly remarkable merger of Russian, American, European, and Latin American dancers, choreographers, composers, and designers that transformed the face of ballet for generations to come.

— Sundance Film Festival, 2005

BALLETS RUSSES official website

Traditional Russian costumes for children and adults for sale

Traditional Russian costumes for children and adults for sale

ARTICLE ABOUT RUSSIAN FOLK DANCE

First official record of Russian dancing is related to year 907 when Great Russian Prince Oleg (Vechshiy Oleg) celebrated his victory over Greeks in Kiev. During the Gala Dinner 16 male dancers dressed as bears and four bears dressed as Russian dancers performed for the guests. After the dinner was over Great Prince commanded to release the bears into the wild and to execute all the dancers. As it became clear later on, Vechshiy Oleg, who was purblind, has mistaken the dancers for the ambassadors from the Northern Tribes ("Severyane") who owned him a few hundred skins of marten - Russian tiger-cat... read more

Traditional Russian dance ensembles, folk dancers, Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Klezmer and Gypsy traditional dances descriptions, videos, photos, Russian dancers and dance troups wanted... read more

Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian and Gypsy dancing
Runtime: 60 minutes. Cover art: Inna Ostrovskaya. Russian dance and music ensemble Barynya from New York performes "Kalinka", "Katyusha", "Barynya", "Two Guitars", "Korobushka", "Hopak", "Dance of Russian Sailors" and more

Russian folk dance and music live concert
Runtime: 64 minutes. Cover art: Anna Nagorskaya. Russian folk dances, songs, virtuoso performances on balalaika, bass-balalaika and garmoshka. "Moscow Nights", Cossack Dance, Khorovod Dance, Russian Quadrille and more

View pictures of Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian, Gypsy folk costumes made by designer Svetlana Gavrilova for dancers and musicians of ensemble "Barynya" (New York). All costumes are available for sale. For prices and information contact... read more

Russian folk costume designer Svetlana Gavrilova has made a set of black cats dressed in Russian costumes with balalaikas. To view all photos you may need to join Balalaika Group on Google Network.

to view all cats with balalaikas dressed in Russian folk costumes

Russian New Year's characters Father Frost and Snow Maiden Ded Moroz and Snegurochka (Russian: Дед Мороз и Снегурочка) Father Frost and Snow Maiden are the most important characters of the New Year's celebration in Russia. Father Frost (Ded Moroz, Russian: Дед Мороз) plays a role similar to that of Santa Claus. The literal translation of the name would be "Grandfather Frost". However, English-speakers traditionally translate "DED MOROZ" as the alliterative "FATHER FROST". Ded Moroz is always accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka - Snow Maiden (Russian: Снегурочка). New York based ensemble Barynya created a special Russian New Year's program with traditional Russian winter songs, dances and music: "In the forest a fir-tree was born" (V Lesu Rodilas' Yolochka), "Small Fir Tree is Freezing during the Winter" (Malen'koi Yolochke Kholdno Zimoy), "The snowstorm is blowing along the street" (Metelitsa), "Father Frost" (Moroz-Moroz), "Five minutes" (Pyat' Minut). Ded Moroz and Snegurochka are available for hire in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania (within 100 miles driving distance from New York City). For a fast price quote contact Mikhail Smirnov Father Frost and Snow Maiden - Ded Moroz and Snegurochka in New York City - photos

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Russian American singles dance party on the boat Marco Polo "Lucille", New York Skyports, East 23rd Street & FDR New York City, Friday, July 18, 2008, from 7 pm to 11 PM DJ BARNAUL will play mix of popular European, Russian, American music of 80th, 90th and current hits. Guest performer Belly dancer Angela. ADMISSION $50 INCLUDES SNACKS, FRUIT BAR. LIMITED TICKETS. RESERVE BEFORE JULY 10. FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL JANNA (862) 668-8824, to buy tickets on-line go to www.RussianDJ.mobi