swimming freestyle

Mario Maya

Mario Maya, who fused his Gypsy heritage and training in experimental American dance to become one of Spain’s most influential flamenco dancers and choreographers, died on Monday at his home in Seville. He was 71.

A rebel in the 1960s, Mr. Maya consistently passed on to the young dancers in his companies an unwavering belief that flamenco could be radically renewed and yet remain true to its essence. Among his disciples are the most brilliant experimental flamenco dancers of today, including his daughter Belén Maya and Israel Galvan. (Link)

Pilobolus

Pilobolus from a recent Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Elio Pomare

Eleo Pomare, a modern-dance choreographer whose mordant wit filtered through his angry social-protest pieces about the human condition and the plight of blacks in particular, died on Friday in Manhattan. He was 70 and lived in Manhattan.

As a dancer, choreographer and activist, Mr. Pomare first stunned audiences in the 1960s with works of great originality and forcefulness. Many were also performed on flatbed trucks in the streets as part of the Harlem Cultural Council’s Dancemobile project. Mr. Pomare was the project’s first artistic director.

The anger of his characters surfaced in many dances in which his gift for distilling emotion ranged over numerous themes. Leading an interracial company, Mr. Pomare and his dancers were among the first to capture onstage the street gait found in black neighborhoods. (Link)

Iraq Pushes For Firm Withdrawal Date

It would seem the Iraqi government is making it very clear it wants a firm committment when the U.S. will withdraw troops from Iraq.  The White House and McCain campaigns have tried so far to temper the Iraqi demands, claiming any American withdrawal will be based on "conditions on the ground".  Based on reports today, they may no longer be able to claim that strategy.  From Reuters today:

The United States must provide a "very clear timeline" to withdraw its troops from Iraq as part of an agreement allowing them to stay beyond this year, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari said on Sunday.

In an interview with Reuters, Zebari said the agreement, including the timeline, was "very close" and would probably be presented to the Iraqi parliament in early September.

Asked if Iraq would accept a document that did not include dates for a withdrawal, Zebari said: "No, no. Definitely there has to be a very clear timeline."

An agreement that included that date would require the Bush administration effectively to accept a timeline almost identical to the one proposed by Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who opposed the 2003 invasion.

What's kinda odd is that some will view this as somewhat bad news.  Oh jeez, the President and Senator McCain have to amend their positions, and how will that look to American voters?  How terrible for them. 

Give me a break.  The only ones who will be disappointed by this news are those knuckleheads who care more about party politics than they do the health of the United States.

Jimmy Slyde

Jimmy Slyde, one of the last great tap dancers of the big-band era, whose smooth moves carried him from swing and bebop to Broadway and the movies, died early on Friday at his home in Hanson, Mass. He was 80.  An elegant, engaging performer with a sharp wit, Mr. Slyde was one of the giants of rhythm tap, known for his great musicality, his impeccable timing and his ability to glide across the stage effortlessly. Closely affiliated with jazz, he worked with musicians like Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong during the big-band era. His strongest musical affinity was bebop; for years he worked closely with the pianist Barry Harris.  (NY Times)