The Dance We're Thankful for This Year

November 21, 2018

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! We hope you’re enjoying this wonderful day of feasting. In the spirit of the holiday, we thought we’d reflect on the dance things we’re grateful for this year. Here are our editors’ top picks.

Katherine Beard, assistant editor

“I’m thankful for the next generation of black ballerinas who are making the ballet world more diverse and accepting; another mind-blowing season of “World of Dance“; one of the most dance-filled Taylor Swift tours yet; and the pint-size dancers of “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors” who’ve proven that while they may be small, their dance moves aren’t. But most of all, I’m grateful for fellow dancers and dance fans like you, who read Dance Spirit and are as excited as I am to get the latest scoop on all things dance!”

Courtney Bowers, managing editor

“This year, I’m super grateful for Hannahlei Cabanilla’s “So You Think You Can Dance” win (I was a HUGE fan from Day 1); for ballerina Jay Ledford and the courageous and candid way she let us share her journey as a transgender ballerina (oh, and also I’m amazingly grateful for her SUPER gorgeous lines and feet because I could literally stare at them all day); and for the new musical The Prom which just opened on Broadway and is one of the most adorable, hilarious, energetic, dancy, and heart-warming shows I’ve seen this year.”

Olivia Manno, assistant editor

“The dancy things I’m thankful for this year are: Biscuit Ballerina’s meteoric rise to fame (as if anyone had any doubts—she was always destined for trina status); the fact that making dance memes is in my job description; and that I somehow was lucky enough to be alive to witness the SpongeBob SquarePants musical, which was the greatest Broadway show I have ever seen (and will ever see) in my entire life.”

Helen Rolfe, assistant editor

“This year, I’m very grateful for the brave dancers who have spoken out in order to make the dance world a safer and more equitable place. I’m also still feeling so #blessed to have witnessed American Ballet Theatre soloist Cassandra Trenary’s INCREDIBLE performance in Arthur Pita’s psychological dance play The Tenant. (Kevin McKenzie, promote that woman to principal already!) And last but certainly not least: Whenever I think about quitting Instagram, Mark Kanemura’s joyfully wigtastic clips keep me coming back for more #CutToTheFeelingFridays. Thank you for keeping Instagram [wonderfully] weird, Mark.”