Dance Holiday Gift Guide

Dance Holiday Gift Guide

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  Merce My Way by Mikhail Baryshnikov

  Photo: Courtesy of the MCA Store247.x600.dance.gift.book.jpg709671
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  Dance tops from Russian Pointe Dance Boutique

  Photo: Courtesy of Russian Pointe Dance Boutique247.x600.dance.gift.shirt.jpg709682
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  Miniature pointe shoes

  Photo: Courtesy of Russian Pointe Dance Boutique247.x600.dance.gift.mini_slipper.jpg709693
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  Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan in Lin Hwai-min's Moon Water

  Photo: Atsushi Iijima247.x600.dance.gift.wishlist.jpg709704

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Merce My Way by Mikhail Baryshnikov

Photo: Courtesy of the MCA Store

Merce My Way
You may not have locked eyes with Misha during his book signing at the Museum of Contemporary Art in September, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t put your own sweet note on the inside cover of a copy of Merce My Way, 128 pages of full-color eye candy that will have any dance fan’s heart spinning . Baryshnikov once said if he had a life to do all over again, he’d be a photographer instead of a dancer—here he explores that potential while looking through the lens at dances by the late, great Merce Cunningham. $45; MCA Store, 220 E Chicago Ave, mcachicagostore.org.

Love shirt
High-quality cotton and whimsical, dancey art make this tee special, meaning your dancer friend won’t cut the neckband out and sweat-soak it in class. It’s just one of the classy tops for women and men on the racks at the Russian Pointe Boutique near the Loop: Other T-shirts in black, fuschsia and ballet pink sport elegant designs in silver or gold print, perfect for holiday parties with or without rug-cutting. $39–$45; Russian Pointe Boutique, 333 N Michigan Ave, suite 222, russianpointe.com.

Tiny toes
Made by hand down to the last detail, these miniature replicas of a prima’s best slippers fit in the palm of your hand. They’re built out of satin, leather and linen, just like the ones beat to a pulp during three acts of Swan Lake. Available in a variety of colors, they can be used as tree ornaments, zipper pulls or stocking stuffers—let your imagination dance! $10; Russian Pointe Boutique.

Asimina’s wish list
It’s auspicious that one of the loveliest dance companies in the world shares a name with my favorite piece of public sculpture. Like Anish Kapoor’s beloved “bean” in Millennium Park, tickets to Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan provide a wholly unique, uplifting experience that is deeply sophisticated yet totally accessible. I’m hoping for a pair to the troupe’s January 22 and 23 performances of Moon Water, being presented in Chicago for the first time. The 1998 piece is a visual stunner: Water sweeps across the entire stage, soaking the dancers, and all is reflected by a wall of mirrors suspended midair. $30–$65; harristheaterchicago.com.