Culture Surfing - Joanna Brooks’ footwork

Dancing in her parents’ living room since the age of 5, Joanna Brooks is the choreographer and founder of brooks & company dance. Her latest production “Coppelia ... the Real Story” at 14th Street Playhouse Oct. 26-27 is a contemporary reworking of the comic ballet about a life-size doll.

All things Tudor: “The Other Boleyn Girl (the book was a great brain-candy kind of read) and Elizabeth: The Golden Age. Hopefully Cate Blanchett will get the Oscar this time.”

YouTube: “I swear YouTube has made me a better choreographer. I can watch really good dance anytime, day or night. And the Potter Puppet Pals in ‘The Mysterious Clicking Noise.’ I still can’t figure out why Dumbledore ends up naked.”

Pumpkin: “Fall is pumpkin everything: pumpkin-spice lattes, pumpkin candles, pumpkin bisque, pumpkin frosting, pumpkin pancakes, the white heirloom pumpkins at Whole Foods. I do love my pumpkin.”

Kat’s Cafe: “It just opened where Jake’s Ice Cream used to be. It’s very nice, very low-key. They have live jazz and spin down-tempo. It’s a clean, mellow addition to the neighborhood.”

Halloween: “The Black Mamba from Kill Bill: Vol. 1. I just really want to wear that yellow jumpsuit.”

Cabot Horseradish Cheddar: “Sadly, in over three years of living here, I have not been to a single store that carries this treasure.”