This is Isabella Boylston’s big bird season. The engaging American Ballet Theatre soloist, who has been injecting a vibrant personality and crisp virtuosity into her roles since joining the company in 2007, is taking on two big new assignments: those iconic ballet birds, the Swan Queen and the Firebird. She makes her debut as Odette/Odile 
Visiting companies coming to town often offer programs featuring what might be termed the usual suspects—works by the same few choreographers tend to appear in many repertories. But one of the youngest local troupes, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, is also one of the most individual in its point of view and repertory choices. In particular, 
by Adam Rathe Despite being best known for her feet, Annabella Gonzalez first came to New York City on a Greyhound bus. The Mexican-born founder of Annabella Gonzalez Dance Theater, which is celebrating its 35th year with a weekend-long program March 16 and 17 at the Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, came to New York one summer ostensibly to study theater, but left—returning 
Annabella Gonzalez celebrates 35th anniversary By Adam Rathe Despite being best known for her feet, Annabella Gonzalez first came to New York City on a Greyhound bus. The Mexican-born founder of Annabella Gonzalez Dance Theater, which is celebrating its 35th year with a weekend-long program March 16 and 17 at the Manhattan Movement and Arts 
By Maureen Mullarkey It is when a cigar is not just a cigar that it is really fun. Mel Ramos understood that from the get-go. The playful, bawdy, brash retrospective selection at Bernarducci Meisel Gallery testifies to the gamesmanship that has made Ramos—and pop art, for all its flaws—so popular. In material and cultural terms, 
Petula Clark went “Downtown” and The Jeffersons moved on up, but there’s always cause for some commotion when modern cabaret stars boldly cross Manhattan’s equator, as they will in this month’s Downtown Series at Feinstein’s at The Regency. Nightlife promoter Daniel Nardicio has joined forces with Jen Gapay of Thirsty Girl Productions to curate a 