I’ve been meaning to tell you…

Dancer Jennifer Grapes is retiring from the stage after a 10-year career. Grapes, a Kansas City native, joined the Milwaukee Ballet four years ago. She will go out as the Snow Queen in The Nutcracker on Dec. 26. Grapes, easily distinguished by her lovely red tresses, had a nice run with the local troupe. She’s retiring a little early due to arthritis in her left foot. Do read her thoughtful exit essay posted on the Milwaukee Ballet’s blog. And if you’re in Uihlein Hall on Dec. 26, maybe you could give her a little extra during that final curtain call.

Kristin Settle, of the Milwaukee Art Museum, emailed to remind me that kids under 12 get in free with their parents/guardians. A trip to the museum is a nice cure for school-break cabin fever. I’ve spent a lot of time at MAM during in recent months, and I can report first hand that kids appear to like being there. I think they’ll especially get a kick out of European Design Since 1985, up through Jan. 9.

Call to Artists: Speaking of the Milwaukee Art Museum, last summer, I wrote a series of series of meditations on works from the permanent collection. We called it One Piece at a Time. I’m pleased to say that other writers, lately the wonderful Judith Ann Moriarty, have added to the series. I would love to hear from artists out there who have found special insight or inspiration in a piece in the permanent collection at MAM or another area museum. If you have something to say about it, tell the world in a One Piece at a Time essay for TCD.

 

Why Not Take All of Me? Did you know that clicking on any byline at TCD will yield a last-in/first-out menu of every story that writer has ever produced? So you should click on mine and start digging. You wouldn’t want to miss anything, would you?

Of Course They Did. Present Music has won ASCAP/Chamber Music America’s prestigious Adventurous Programming Award for our innovative and exciting 2009-10 season. Wait — don’t they win this every year? If not, they should.

Danceworks is expanding upward at 1661 N. Water St., where it has occupied the ground floor for several years. The dance service organization, which runs numerous classes and extensive outreach programs, serves as an important venue for modern dance companies and houses its own Danceworks Performance Company, is adding studios and offices on the second floor of the Northern Light Building, where Water curves up to Brady. Danceworks’ studio classes are bursting at the seams, and the added space will allow it to meet its mission while enhancing income.

The Trinity Academy of Irish Dance, an international competitive powerhouse with major schools in Chicago and Milwaukee, continues to dominate the field. Mark Howard’s school won 16 golds at the Mid-America Irish Dance Championships, held in Chicago in November. No other school won more than eight. Forty-four Trinity dancers are now qualified to compete in the 2011 world championships.