BOFFO BALANCHINE.

The 100th anniversary of George Balanchine's birth isn't until January 22, 2004, but efforts are already underway to persuade the U.S. Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp in his honor. The New York City Ballet Volunteers are urging dance fans everywhere to write the USPS and encourage them to recognize Balanchine's significant impact not only on ballet and dance in general, but on American and international culture. Write to: Citizens Stamp Advisory Committee, c/o Stamp Management, U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW Room 4474EB, Washington, D.C. 20260-6756. The committee requests that copies of letters be sent to Joan Quatrano, Director, Volunteer Services, New York City Ballet, 20 Lincoln Plaza, New York, New York, 10023.

Meanwhile, the George Balanchine Foundation is staging its own sort of commemoration, of some of Balanchine's lesser known works. Aided by a research team including Dance Magazine contributors Lynn Garafola, Sally Sommer, Janice Ross, Kate Mattingly and Marilyn Hunt, publishing executive Claude Conyers will direct Popular Balanchine, a foundation research project. Begun by foundation research director Nancy Reynolds, the project will document and, when possible, recreate Balanchine's choreography for Broadway shows, Hollywood films and commercial productions.