Patrick De Bana's "Labyrinth of Solitude, " for a bare-chested Mr. Vasiliev, used the "Ciaconne" attributed to Tomaso Antonio Vitali to underpin a vignette for the intense, short-statured Russian that intermittently launched him into applause-winning spins and jumps meant, perhaps, to show the agony of art.

WSJ: Kings of the Dance, Opus 3 | Royalty Made Common | By Robert Greskovic

Give it up for the 2010 WNBA Champions, the Seattle Storm. (Applause.) Congratulations, Coach, on winning a second title.

WHITEHOUSE: President welcomes the Seattle Storm

It is a great pleasure to welcome the Alabama Crimson Tide to the White House -- again. (Applause.) I want to congratulate them on winning their 15th National Championship -- and their third in four years.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Welcomes BCS National Champion Alabama Crimson Tide | The White House

Omar? (Applause.) And players like Mac Mandji who fired the cross that led to the championship-winning goal, even as he tore his ACL in the process.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Welcomes the Colorado Rapids