If you’ve read my blog for any length of time, you know that I don’t blog about television much, if ever. Mostly because I don’t watch it. Home & Garden’s House Hunter’s is about the extent of my viewing. I watched the last two or three episodes of @merican Idol because we knew someone who knew someone who knew the winner (who I hearted quite a bit—but I always watched him on YouTube).
But a while back I started watching So You Think You Can Dance. I was head over heels. If you know much about me, you know I love dance. Specifically ballet, but any form of dance gets my attention. Now I passed on Dancing with the Stars, I peeked at Your Mama Don’t Dance (cute idea) a couple of times, but So You Think You Can Dance caught my heart because in ten years or less my oldest son could be doing that. My youngest would only be a few years behind.
My sons dance. A fact that gets us some quizzical looks and some unenlightened remarks sometimes. But I am very proud of what they do. They’ve joined me in my watching and have become quite the dance critics. We all have our favorites, but one of the ones we all agreed on was Gev. Gev got sent home last night. And Roo ended up in a surprising emotional state. I had to explain to him, that this is the way of the world of performing in any way—it is always an audition. Some will get the part, win the competition, do better one night than anyone else. Some won’t.
And in a way, that is really a metaphor for life; job interviews, relationships, competitions of any sort, athletic or artistic. This has been a great show to open the boys’ eyes. A few lessons we have learned vicariously are: take your corrections with a positive attitude and a smile, never speak negatively to judges (or teachers) or in front of a camera, win and lose graciously, when you dance—throw it all out there and dance your heart out. You will never second guess yourself that way.
Gev is a street dancer/break dancer who during the show has done contemporary broadway jazz, hip hop, ballroom, and jive. His attitude has been so positive. His smile is so sweet. I’m easily old enough to be his mom, and like I said, can see my boys doing this kind of thing. I had a tear or twenty when Gev got cut.
Shows like this break my heart, but at the same time they can be a really fun thing. This seems to be a sweet group of excellent dancers who, for the most part, I would be proud to know. Bittersweet fun.
I don't know how long these links will stay up. But if you haven't seen the show, here are my favorite three dances from Wednesday night.
Disclaimer: If you are easily offended by dance costumes or content, probably best to skip over. If not--enjoy!
Chelsea and Gev
Courtney and Joshua
Katee and Will
Showing posts with label dance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dance. Show all posts
Friday, July 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Thursday Thirteen: How to Take Young Children to Live Performances
I’ve had a Performing Arts themed week. So I thought I would continue the trend one more day.
People have asked me how and why I manage to take my children to performing arts events.
Why? Because I feel it is immensely important. We as a family are kind of “artsy” I guess, although we enjoy football, basketball, golf and sporting events too. We enjoy reading, but manage to still find time for the video games also.
How? Here are thirteen guidelines for introducing children to live performances; taken from actual guidelines posted on company and theatre websites, some personal opinions—both mine and others.
I’ve got some acquaintances and friends previously and currently in the performing arts, from marketing positions, to performers, to stage managers, from wardrobe assistants to set people, to executive positions. We’ve been fortunate to have access to some wonderful opportunities for viewing and for the children to participate in performances.
Most often we’ve been welcomed by other patrons and audience members, almost always by performers and artistic staff, but there have been a few questioning looks at parents who would bring two young boys to opening night of a three hour performance. We’ve had questioning looks, but never complaints. During intermission and post-performance our children have received many compliments and much attention.
How do you take children to live performances? Truly it is no more difficult to take them to a production than it is to take them to a movie theater.
1. Remember everyone (including your family) has paid to have the privilege of an enjoyable show. Be respectful of other patrons. Expect and insist that others are respectful of your rights as an audience member, but there are guidelines and this is not the time to teach new manners—reinforce learned ones, definitely, but courtesy should be commonplace.
2. Educate yourself about the program you are seeing ahead of time. Look at content—follow your family’s convictions; don’t go to something that you know will offend you. Life is too short to seek out offense.
Know the performance length—30 minutes, an hour, two, three? Can your children sit that long? Can you? Think of the time of day—morning, matinee, evening, nighttime—go when everyone will be alert and able to sit. Consider the facility—will it be outside, inside, intimate, huge stadium show? Will your children be overwhelmed by crowds or can they be free to be a little less inhibited?
3. Be prepared to leave immediately if there is a “crisis.” Crises include: illness, bad temper, loudness, potty emergencies and inappropriateness of content.
Read guidelines for the company or theatre you will be attending. Some will just not allow young children. No way, no how, ain’t gonna happen, no matter how much you pay. Don’t try to get a special exception because even if you know your Junior is “not like those other children.” it isn’t worth it. Your children deserve the courtesy of being able to see a performance you think would be enjoyable for them, but don’t subject them to a situation where they will be totally unwelcome.
4. Be prepared—potty beforehand, don’t go hungry (snacks & even water are most often not allowed in the theatre proper.) Know where the bathrooms are. Know your children’s tolerance levels. Some two year-olds can sit through a symphony and some twelve year-olds cannot. There is nothing wrong with either child.
Don’t go if your child has a last minute illness. No matter how much tickets cost, throwing up is no fun for anyone. While “totally natural” it is embarrassing and may color a child’s view of future performances. Besides, you can’t enjoy when you feel awful.
5. If you must exit the theatre do so quietly and be prepared that you will not be allowed to re-seated until the next intermission. If you have exited due to a temper tantrum (or emesis) it may be within the theatre employees’ rights to ask that you not return. Depending on the situation they may be right.
6. Help your children enjoy the show. Prepare your children for what you will be seeing—preview a movie, read a story, explain to them about the point of the program. Help them know if it is appropriate to laugh out loud, when to clap, what a standing ovation is, what a good performance looks like. Courtesy to the performers is as important as courtesy to other audience members and truly helps a child enjoy a show.
Give them explicit directions on expected behavior. I find my boys will live up to my expectations if I let them in on what those expectations are. Most children want to be appropriate.
7. Start with appropriate themes, adapted fairy tales and stories children are often familiar with are good choices to start with.
Look for performances advertised to be child friendly or an audience mostly comprised of children—although I will tell you, I most often avoid the latter due to the behavior of the young audiences. We went to a performance of a visiting company put on specifically for local school children last fall. I was appalled at the behavior of the majority of children and the chaperones. To be fair, I think the content, while very dramatic and compelling, was too adult for the ages present; high schoolers would have been more appropriate than elementary age.
During Nutcracker our school offers local schools daytime performances and my sons have commented that the young audience response is not the same as regular performances, i.e. laughing at unusual times, and not at the “comedic moments,” lots of whispering, shuffling of seats, etc. But these are learning opportunities for both audience and cast members so there are certainly benefits.
8. Don’t presume you cannot go because you think something will be “fancy.”
Dress appropriately, but be comfortable. I think little girls (for a large part) enjoy frilly dresses. I see them and they are lovely. I think dressing up stresses the importance of the event. But if Johnny loathes, loathes, loathes that clip on tie, for goodness sakes don’t make him wear it—even if it makes him cuter than a bug’s ear (and we know moms love to show off their cute kids—I DO!!). Save the argument for the sitting at the photographers. LOL.
It is hard to concentrate in shoes that pinch, ties that choke, shirts & jackets that are weird, itchy slips, pantyhose that roll—oops sorry that was me with the pantyhose, anyway…life’s to short to be really uncomfortable. Jeans may be acceptable attire. Find out!
9. Start small—one act plays, an evening of ballet with several small ballets or just excerpts, I’ve seen grown-ups only stay for Act I or arrive at intermission for Act II. As long as no one is disturbed by your entrance this is an alternative.
10. Look for free shows or demonstrations. Many companies offer productions in the park far free. Shakespeare is fun in the open air. Having an actor fall off the “stage” dead at your feet is certainly a memorable event. (Again know what might be a possibility before you go.)
11. Civic groups, community theaters, college performances, high school, even elementary schools offer a great variety of disciplines, themes and opportunities. One of our most memorable performances was that of a young man we were acquainted with, a piano major at a local university. We were privileged to attend his Masters Performance—one he had to do for his master’s degree—in affect his graduation ceremony. It was breathtaking. And it was FREE! It truly gave the boys an ideal to aspire to in their music pursuits in general, and their piano playing specifically. This leads me to # 12…
12. Go to see people you know. Good grief, it is a joy to watch friends and family perform!! We go unthinkingly to all the football, soccer, and t-ball games. It is just expected. (And it should be expected that we encourage our family’s sports pursuits.) But our society has fallen away from the arts, overall. At one time it was common for family members to play or sing at gatherings, in parlors or just for a quiet evening’s entertainment. I don’t think that happens often enough.
If cousin Jane has worked all year taking lessons (piano, voice, ballet, acting) and she is brave enough to get up and share her talent with everyone—go see! Clap loudly! Bring her flowers. Be proud.
Even if the performances are less than stellar, be supportive and encouraging. Everyone starts somewhere. It takes a lot of courage to get up on stage. It often takes a lot of preparation. Besides Cousin Jane may some day win an Academy Award and she will remember you came to see her humble beginnings and she might just take you with her to the Awards show…it could happen.
13. Start at home. Just like cultivating a love of reading, a love for performing arts seldom occurs with parents who watch strictly “Cops” or “Survivor.” Children copy what they see their parents do. I’m just saying…Watch videos and films from the library. Read plays out loud as a family. Have a home collection of family friendly musicals and make them a part of daily life, not just something to be endured because it is “art.”
THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE THURSDAY THIRTEEN:
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. What do you do? Write Thirteen things about yourself, summarize your week in one entry, make it easy for other bloggers to get to know you on a weekly basis. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!
Other posts on this themed week are found:
Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Children and Performing Art Part I
Children and Performing Art Part II
People have asked me how and why I manage to take my children to performing arts events.
Why? Because I feel it is immensely important. We as a family are kind of “artsy” I guess, although we enjoy football, basketball, golf and sporting events too. We enjoy reading, but manage to still find time for the video games also.
How? Here are thirteen guidelines for introducing children to live performances; taken from actual guidelines posted on company and theatre websites, some personal opinions—both mine and others.
I’ve got some acquaintances and friends previously and currently in the performing arts, from marketing positions, to performers, to stage managers, from wardrobe assistants to set people, to executive positions. We’ve been fortunate to have access to some wonderful opportunities for viewing and for the children to participate in performances.
Most often we’ve been welcomed by other patrons and audience members, almost always by performers and artistic staff, but there have been a few questioning looks at parents who would bring two young boys to opening night of a three hour performance. We’ve had questioning looks, but never complaints. During intermission and post-performance our children have received many compliments and much attention.
How do you take children to live performances? Truly it is no more difficult to take them to a production than it is to take them to a movie theater.
1. Remember everyone (including your family) has paid to have the privilege of an enjoyable show. Be respectful of other patrons. Expect and insist that others are respectful of your rights as an audience member, but there are guidelines and this is not the time to teach new manners—reinforce learned ones, definitely, but courtesy should be commonplace.
2. Educate yourself about the program you are seeing ahead of time. Look at content—follow your family’s convictions; don’t go to something that you know will offend you. Life is too short to seek out offense.
Know the performance length—30 minutes, an hour, two, three? Can your children sit that long? Can you? Think of the time of day—morning, matinee, evening, nighttime—go when everyone will be alert and able to sit. Consider the facility—will it be outside, inside, intimate, huge stadium show? Will your children be overwhelmed by crowds or can they be free to be a little less inhibited?
3. Be prepared to leave immediately if there is a “crisis.” Crises include: illness, bad temper, loudness, potty emergencies and inappropriateness of content.
Read guidelines for the company or theatre you will be attending. Some will just not allow young children. No way, no how, ain’t gonna happen, no matter how much you pay. Don’t try to get a special exception because even if you know your Junior is “not like those other children.” it isn’t worth it. Your children deserve the courtesy of being able to see a performance you think would be enjoyable for them, but don’t subject them to a situation where they will be totally unwelcome.
4. Be prepared—potty beforehand, don’t go hungry (snacks & even water are most often not allowed in the theatre proper.) Know where the bathrooms are. Know your children’s tolerance levels. Some two year-olds can sit through a symphony and some twelve year-olds cannot. There is nothing wrong with either child.
Don’t go if your child has a last minute illness. No matter how much tickets cost, throwing up is no fun for anyone. While “totally natural” it is embarrassing and may color a child’s view of future performances. Besides, you can’t enjoy when you feel awful.
5. If you must exit the theatre do so quietly and be prepared that you will not be allowed to re-seated until the next intermission. If you have exited due to a temper tantrum (or emesis) it may be within the theatre employees’ rights to ask that you not return. Depending on the situation they may be right.
6. Help your children enjoy the show. Prepare your children for what you will be seeing—preview a movie, read a story, explain to them about the point of the program. Help them know if it is appropriate to laugh out loud, when to clap, what a standing ovation is, what a good performance looks like. Courtesy to the performers is as important as courtesy to other audience members and truly helps a child enjoy a show.
Give them explicit directions on expected behavior. I find my boys will live up to my expectations if I let them in on what those expectations are. Most children want to be appropriate.
7. Start with appropriate themes, adapted fairy tales and stories children are often familiar with are good choices to start with.
Look for performances advertised to be child friendly or an audience mostly comprised of children—although I will tell you, I most often avoid the latter due to the behavior of the young audiences. We went to a performance of a visiting company put on specifically for local school children last fall. I was appalled at the behavior of the majority of children and the chaperones. To be fair, I think the content, while very dramatic and compelling, was too adult for the ages present; high schoolers would have been more appropriate than elementary age.
During Nutcracker our school offers local schools daytime performances and my sons have commented that the young audience response is not the same as regular performances, i.e. laughing at unusual times, and not at the “comedic moments,” lots of whispering, shuffling of seats, etc. But these are learning opportunities for both audience and cast members so there are certainly benefits.
8. Don’t presume you cannot go because you think something will be “fancy.”
Dress appropriately, but be comfortable. I think little girls (for a large part) enjoy frilly dresses. I see them and they are lovely. I think dressing up stresses the importance of the event. But if Johnny loathes, loathes, loathes that clip on tie, for goodness sakes don’t make him wear it—even if it makes him cuter than a bug’s ear (and we know moms love to show off their cute kids—I DO!!). Save the argument for the sitting at the photographers. LOL.
It is hard to concentrate in shoes that pinch, ties that choke, shirts & jackets that are weird, itchy slips, pantyhose that roll—oops sorry that was me with the pantyhose, anyway…life’s to short to be really uncomfortable. Jeans may be acceptable attire. Find out!
9. Start small—one act plays, an evening of ballet with several small ballets or just excerpts, I’ve seen grown-ups only stay for Act I or arrive at intermission for Act II. As long as no one is disturbed by your entrance this is an alternative.
10. Look for free shows or demonstrations. Many companies offer productions in the park far free. Shakespeare is fun in the open air. Having an actor fall off the “stage” dead at your feet is certainly a memorable event. (Again know what might be a possibility before you go.)
11. Civic groups, community theaters, college performances, high school, even elementary schools offer a great variety of disciplines, themes and opportunities. One of our most memorable performances was that of a young man we were acquainted with, a piano major at a local university. We were privileged to attend his Masters Performance—one he had to do for his master’s degree—in affect his graduation ceremony. It was breathtaking. And it was FREE! It truly gave the boys an ideal to aspire to in their music pursuits in general, and their piano playing specifically. This leads me to # 12…
12. Go to see people you know. Good grief, it is a joy to watch friends and family perform!! We go unthinkingly to all the football, soccer, and t-ball games. It is just expected. (And it should be expected that we encourage our family’s sports pursuits.) But our society has fallen away from the arts, overall. At one time it was common for family members to play or sing at gatherings, in parlors or just for a quiet evening’s entertainment. I don’t think that happens often enough.
If cousin Jane has worked all year taking lessons (piano, voice, ballet, acting) and she is brave enough to get up and share her talent with everyone—go see! Clap loudly! Bring her flowers. Be proud.
Even if the performances are less than stellar, be supportive and encouraging. Everyone starts somewhere. It takes a lot of courage to get up on stage. It often takes a lot of preparation. Besides Cousin Jane may some day win an Academy Award and she will remember you came to see her humble beginnings and she might just take you with her to the Awards show…it could happen.
13. Start at home. Just like cultivating a love of reading, a love for performing arts seldom occurs with parents who watch strictly “Cops” or “Survivor.” Children copy what they see their parents do. I’m just saying…Watch videos and films from the library. Read plays out loud as a family. Have a home collection of family friendly musicals and make them a part of daily life, not just something to be endured because it is “art.”
THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE THURSDAY THIRTEEN:
The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. What do you do? Write Thirteen things about yourself, summarize your week in one entry, make it easy for other bloggers to get to know you on a weekly basis. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged!
Other posts on this themed week are found:
Wherefore art thou Romeo?
Children and Performing Art Part I
Children and Performing Art Part II
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Children and Performing Art Part II
As I mentioned in another post we were able to see a ballet performance of Romeo and Juliet. Because the boys’ ballet classes share the company’s facility we’ve been trying to discreetly and respectfully follow the company’s rehearsal of the ballet—they have put months into this, and I truly think it has been beneficial to whet the boys’ interest to sit through a three hour story ballet. They’ve seen all the hard work and sweat and patience that the dancers have put into this. They’ve seen the reality that what is seen on stage is just a heartbeat in the life of a dancer—granted it is the accented beat! But it is still just a fleeting moment.
In my opinion it is extremely important to expose them to performances. It is also just as important to expose them to the behind scenes efforts that it takes to create a production. How to do that?
Take lessons. Expensive? Most likely. Will you ever get the money back in a child trying to pursue a professional career? Doubtful. But it is no different than the money spent on sports, and most children will not grow up to be professional athletes. Disciplines learned in artistic pursuits follow someone through a lifetime, just as do athletic pursuits. It is not necessary, but can add to the enjoyment of watching if one has attempted an instrument, acting or dance, or sporting event.
Learn at home if outside lessons are too expensive. We do our piano lessons at home. It has been a wonderful experience. Any introduction will make it easier to pursue at a more traditional manner in the future.
Other ideas: read plays aloud as a family. We always hear about the importance of reading stories aloud to children—it is hugely important!! Reading plays aloud can be a really great tool also. Take it a step further and try putting on a family or homeschool group play; a great way to have hands on learning about sets and costuming. Even easier—stage a puppet show. Take a favorite story, Winnie the Pooh, Wind in the Willows, or a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale and have the children work out the scenes. Learn about script writing.
Unarguably homeschooling can sometimes limit opportunities for participation in productions, both as a viewer or a participant. But public and private schools, under pressure to teach basics and meet government criteria, aren’t able to provide enough opportunities to suit my wishes either. With a little extra effort children learning at home can have even more in-depth experiences with the arts than they would in a more traditional setting. No matter your family’s personal choices for education, you can’t go wrong encouraging artistic pursuits!
Part I here.
In my opinion it is extremely important to expose them to performances. It is also just as important to expose them to the behind scenes efforts that it takes to create a production. How to do that?
Take lessons. Expensive? Most likely. Will you ever get the money back in a child trying to pursue a professional career? Doubtful. But it is no different than the money spent on sports, and most children will not grow up to be professional athletes. Disciplines learned in artistic pursuits follow someone through a lifetime, just as do athletic pursuits. It is not necessary, but can add to the enjoyment of watching if one has attempted an instrument, acting or dance, or sporting event.
Learn at home if outside lessons are too expensive. We do our piano lessons at home. It has been a wonderful experience. Any introduction will make it easier to pursue at a more traditional manner in the future.
Other ideas: read plays aloud as a family. We always hear about the importance of reading stories aloud to children—it is hugely important!! Reading plays aloud can be a really great tool also. Take it a step further and try putting on a family or homeschool group play; a great way to have hands on learning about sets and costuming. Even easier—stage a puppet show. Take a favorite story, Winnie the Pooh, Wind in the Willows, or a Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale and have the children work out the scenes. Learn about script writing.
Unarguably homeschooling can sometimes limit opportunities for participation in productions, both as a viewer or a participant. But public and private schools, under pressure to teach basics and meet government criteria, aren’t able to provide enough opportunities to suit my wishes either. With a little extra effort children learning at home can have even more in-depth experiences with the arts than they would in a more traditional setting. No matter your family’s personal choices for education, you can’t go wrong encouraging artistic pursuits!
Part I here.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Children and Performing Art Part I
When children are interested in theatrical pursuits of any sort, musical, ballet or conventional stage, it is extremely important to expose them to performances. How to do that?
Don’t have the extra cash for expensive night performances? See if matinees are cheaper. Matinees, in general, are usually more kid friendly and the patrons more relaxed; although we’ve had mostly positive responses to the boys at night performances. Many symphonies (and other performance groups) have a children’s performance that are somewhat of a glorified dress rehearsal. Many productions offer schools discounted tickets—sometimes with the opportunity for a Q &A session before or after. It never hurts to see if homeschoolers are welcome. Some places even offer productions geared toward homeschoolers.
Don’t have access to the big-city variety of performances? Local community theatre, high school, and civic symphonies offer wonderful and affordable events. Still not something you can swing because of number of children or their ages are of concern? Check out films from the library. We’ve introduced opera to the boys this way. HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance, The Barber of Seville, and The Magic Flute are all good choices. We’ve watched productions in German and Italian and the boys have had no problem following the general storyline.
A benefit of checking out films from the library is the story can be paused, explained, restarted, paused for bathroom breaks, re-watched, enacted later, or if you have children like mine they will act along at the same time during a second viewing. And then re-perform for, oh the next fewmonths weeks days.
Really, a huge source of entertainment—especially the Major-General's Song.
Don’t have the extra cash for expensive night performances? See if matinees are cheaper. Matinees, in general, are usually more kid friendly and the patrons more relaxed; although we’ve had mostly positive responses to the boys at night performances. Many symphonies (and other performance groups) have a children’s performance that are somewhat of a glorified dress rehearsal. Many productions offer schools discounted tickets—sometimes with the opportunity for a Q &A session before or after. It never hurts to see if homeschoolers are welcome. Some places even offer productions geared toward homeschoolers.
Don’t have access to the big-city variety of performances? Local community theatre, high school, and civic symphonies offer wonderful and affordable events. Still not something you can swing because of number of children or their ages are of concern? Check out films from the library. We’ve introduced opera to the boys this way. HMS Pinafore, Pirates of Penzance, The Barber of Seville, and The Magic Flute are all good choices. We’ve watched productions in German and Italian and the boys have had no problem following the general storyline.
A benefit of checking out films from the library is the story can be paused, explained, restarted, paused for bathroom breaks, re-watched, enacted later, or if you have children like mine they will act along at the same time during a second viewing. And then re-perform for, oh the next few
Really, a huge source of entertainment—especially the Major-General's Song.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wherefore art thou Romeo?
A Homeschool Resource
I’m not sure how many people introduce Shakespeare early to their children. I have my reservations about it—the old Bard offers violence, innuendo and flat out impropriety at every turn, but we were going to see a ballet version of Romeo & Juliet and I did not want to be in a dark theatre with Roo saying, “Now who is that? Why are they fighting? They did WHAT??”
Truth be told half of all the grown-ups there will likely be thinking the same thing. Half of the population in the audience will be asking that same question out loud. But it’s not polite to talk during a ballet performance (although if I understand correctly some of Shakespeare’s crowds believed in audience participation of a sort). Anyhoo…shameless bragging in the next breath, but generally my boys are very well behaved at the ballet. We have season tickets so we always sit in the same spot and there are a couple of older ladies who are VERY annoying who sit two rows behind us. I digress…
Ahemmm…where was I? Oh. We were going to see a ballet version of R&J so I checked out a video from the library so the boys would have an overview of the story. There will be a synopsis of the story in the program, but 20 minutes before curtain is NOT when I want to discuss things.
I was not in the mood to show them my first introduction into R&J from high school—does anyone remember the Olivia Hu$sy version—I really am not fond of that. Also I was afraid if we watched a full version they might not make it to the end. If music and/or dance are involved they can sit for hours, but with the challenging language and the stopping the tape to answer questions, I was afraid I would burn them out on the story before we got to the theatre.
Yes there is a point here.
Sooooo…what I did check out was a video called A Taste of Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, produced by Bullfrog Films. It is 43 minutes long, narrated to fill in the abridged acting scenes, (in my opinion) pretty well acted, set a little unusually so if you like that kind of thing it offers opportunity for a rabbit trail discussion of sets and costuming choices. Not gratuitous violence—minimal blood, there are appropriate cuts which don’t change the story line, It was very acceptable by my standards and it was true to the story, so yes, there is murder, violence, deceit, family feuding, teen marriage and suicide—it’s Shakespeare. If those are themes you don’t care to introduce then Romeo & Juliet would not be satisfactory. Ummm…most Shakespeare would not be satisfactory.
The cool thing is I found an on-line study/teachers’ guide produced by the film company. Now I think the boys really are a bit too young to really go in depth on the story, but I will be hanging on to this for future reference. If you find Shakespeare in your future, you might be interested in this free (always a good word) resource. That was my long-winded point.
I’m not sure how many people introduce Shakespeare early to their children. I have my reservations about it—the old Bard offers violence, innuendo and flat out impropriety at every turn, but we were going to see a ballet version of Romeo & Juliet and I did not want to be in a dark theatre with Roo saying, “Now who is that? Why are they fighting? They did WHAT??”
Truth be told half of all the grown-ups there will likely be thinking the same thing. Half of the population in the audience will be asking that same question out loud. But it’s not polite to talk during a ballet performance (although if I understand correctly some of Shakespeare’s crowds believed in audience participation of a sort). Anyhoo…shameless bragging in the next breath, but generally my boys are very well behaved at the ballet. We have season tickets so we always sit in the same spot and there are a couple of older ladies who are VERY annoying who sit two rows behind us. I digress…
Ahemmm…where was I? Oh. We were going to see a ballet version of R&J so I checked out a video from the library so the boys would have an overview of the story. There will be a synopsis of the story in the program, but 20 minutes before curtain is NOT when I want to discuss things.
I was not in the mood to show them my first introduction into R&J from high school—does anyone remember the Olivia Hu$sy version—I really am not fond of that. Also I was afraid if we watched a full version they might not make it to the end. If music and/or dance are involved they can sit for hours, but with the challenging language and the stopping the tape to answer questions, I was afraid I would burn them out on the story before we got to the theatre.
Yes there is a point here.
Sooooo…what I did check out was a video called A Taste of Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, produced by Bullfrog Films. It is 43 minutes long, narrated to fill in the abridged acting scenes, (in my opinion) pretty well acted, set a little unusually so if you like that kind of thing it offers opportunity for a rabbit trail discussion of sets and costuming choices. Not gratuitous violence—minimal blood, there are appropriate cuts which don’t change the story line, It was very acceptable by my standards and it was true to the story, so yes, there is murder, violence, deceit, family feuding, teen marriage and suicide—it’s Shakespeare. If those are themes you don’t care to introduce then Romeo & Juliet would not be satisfactory. Ummm…most Shakespeare would not be satisfactory.
The cool thing is I found an on-line study/teachers’ guide produced by the film company. Now I think the boys really are a bit too young to really go in depth on the story, but I will be hanging on to this for future reference. If you find Shakespeare in your future, you might be interested in this free (always a good word) resource. That was my long-winded point.
Monday, December 10, 2007
Nutcracker Nation—a Book Review
Nutcracker Nation by Jennifer FisherI had this book on my Fall into Reading list. I started this book at the beginning of the Fall into Reading Challenge. I just painfully finished the book last night. Ugh.
A friend of mine loaned me this book a long time ago. I wasn’t too hip on reading it, she and I have very different reading choices, but being a "Nutcracker Mom," I thought I might relate to it. And so I slogged my way through it. Very rarely do I finish books that I don’t enjoy—my “to read” pile is to high and my time is to limited to do so often, but I had told my friend I would read it. What do do? Press on...
Jennifer Fisher, the author, is a teacher of dance history, theory, and ethnology at Pomona College and the University of California, Irvine. From her writing I gather she danced more than a few Nutcrackers herself. Sadly she seems to be unintentionally stuck in the boys vs. girls’ camp that clings to ballet, especially at the amateur level. She attempts to explore the differences between male and female dancers, but it is very stereotypical and flat.
There was very little discussion of Tchaikovsky, himself although definitely history of how the ballet grew from its Russian roots at the Mariinsky Theater.
The more interesting parts of the book are where the different faces of Nutcracker are explored across the continent. Nutcracker has been adapted socially and culturally many times to interesting outcomes. Ms. Fisher has researched her history admirably. She says:
Although the ballet world, even on the amateur level, is far from egalitarian, this seems to be one way The Nutcracker is imagined by its participants—as a welcoming utopian community. This vision is supported by the idea that anyone can pursue the ideal forms inherent in ballet technique and be affected by the potentially transformational music of Tchaikovsky, while at the same time celebrating the themes of home, hearth, and adventure. And when people feel shut out of the ballet world, with all its particular history and stringent requirements, they can take The Nutcracker into their own domains, tweak it, dress it up differently, and bring it closer to home.
Perhaps it is my own lackluster attitude this year, perhaps it is the boys vs. girls attitude that has, sadly infested our school this year, perhaps I’ve “matured” in my view of the Nutcracker, but this book didn’t make me want to run out and see another one. But as Ms. Fisher concludes:
Like birthdays and weddings, the annual ballet is both dreaded and celebrated because it marks the passage of time. Once you surrender to that inevitability, you can shift gears and enjoy the endless possibilities. The Nutcracker isn’t just another aesthetic performance, although it certainly can be that. It’s also a wonderfully flexible, ritual-like, resonant phenomenon.
She is right, and I see this in the professional dancers that my children are fortunate to get to dance with, after about your twentieth or so Nut you start to grumble a little (as a volunteer and parent it only took three). But when the overture starts, you sigh and give in and let Pyotr Ilyich take over for a bit and things seem a bit sweeter.
This book would not be a recommended one, unless you are a serious student of ballet history and culture. The author’s research is faultless. She has dug deeply, but it reads more like a textbook than a book for enjoyment. Now…what to tell my friend?
You are welcome to view my other reviews and posts for the Fall Into Reading Challenge.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
That's Just the Way It Is...
A Alternately Titled:
The Van Driving of the Sugar Plump Fairy
Cue the Tchaikovsky. Taste the bon bons, smell the Arabian Coffee and Chinese Tea and feel the pink tulle floating by…well no, not really. Except maybe the bon-bon part. And I do like coffee. Yes, I really do. Tea is nice. Well Tchaikovsky does get played a lot, come to think of it, both on the CD player and the piano.
Just skip the tulle. No one, really no one, around this house of testosterone will touch tulle. Even the Lone Lady (me) who owns very little pink and absolutely NO tulle.
The Sugar Plump Fairy—yep, 's'pose that’s me. Sugar is our friend and more so when combined with chocolate and Plump?? Egads!! Times two or three, but the Sugar Fat Fairy just didn’t have the same ring. So I’ll stick with plump.
So the reality of many days…?
My cell phone rings. It is my sister. We are trying to coordinate calendars so we can actually, you know, see each other. She is working (she is always working). She says, “What are you doing?” and then already knows the answer. Because it is what I am always doing (so it seems).
“I am in the car, driving to dance.”
I got that line from a dance forum I visit—obviously another parent. How is it that the mother of two sons is embroiled in the Nutcracker season (oh yes, it starts this early!! In fact it started mid-October!)? If anyone was concerned about me when they learned we homeschool they were even more terribly confused when they find that our main extra-curricular activity involves…dance. Specifically ballet. Cue the confused and speculative looks.
If they were going to ask the, “What about socialization?” question, they are now really curious as to the answer. Yes there is a social life for young gentlemen who pursue the actually challenging, tough, athletic and artistic life of a dancer. We are grateful our studio is home to at least eleven young men, ages six to sixteen, who know the difference between a tendu and a touchdown. And can talk about both. The boys’ dressing room is a zone of chaos and hi-jinx. Somewhat quieter than a hurricane and no pink allowed.
And the boys’ moms are a bit of a different breed. We worry about whether or not tights are opaque and the other necessary accoutrements for boys. We are grateful for the knowledge we will not have to be buying pointe shoes, ever, at no less than $50 a pair (often higher). And endure dirty looks from a minority of girls’ mothers who believe our children are shown favoritism and their darlings are discriminated against. But that is another story. Which I choose to totally ignore.
For better or worse, my days are filled with young men using my furniture for springboards. They may be channeling Spiderman or Drosselmeyer. They might be asking to play Sonic the Hedgehog or if they can show me their latest soubresaut. Our school day has been enlarged to include study for a spelling and vocabulary test which one child needs to advance to the next level (of dance, not grade). But the benefit of that is now he knows the difference from an accent grave and an accent aigu. And he is acquiring a passable French accent. Sadly it is most used to imitate Inspector Clouseau saying, “I would like to buy an ‘amberger!!”
Ooops sorry!! Must run! It’s time to pack up the bon-bons…we’re getting in the car…and driving to dance.
If they were going to ask the, “What about socialization?” question, they are now really curious as to the answer. Yes there is a social life for young gentlemen who pursue the actually challenging, tough, athletic and artistic life of a dancer. We are grateful our studio is home to at least eleven young men, ages six to sixteen, who know the difference between a tendu and a touchdown. And can talk about both. The boys’ dressing room is a zone of chaos and hi-jinx. Somewhat quieter than a hurricane and no pink allowed.
And the boys’ moms are a bit of a different breed. We worry about whether or not tights are opaque and the other necessary accoutrements for boys. We are grateful for the knowledge we will not have to be buying pointe shoes, ever, at no less than $50 a pair (often higher). And endure dirty looks from a minority of girls’ mothers who believe our children are shown favoritism and their darlings are discriminated against. But that is another story. Which I choose to totally ignore.
For better or worse, my days are filled with young men using my furniture for springboards. They may be channeling Spiderman or Drosselmeyer. They might be asking to play Sonic the Hedgehog or if they can show me their latest soubresaut. Our school day has been enlarged to include study for a spelling and vocabulary test which one child needs to advance to the next level (of dance, not grade). But the benefit of that is now he knows the difference from an accent grave and an accent aigu. And he is acquiring a passable French accent. Sadly it is most used to imitate Inspector Clouseau saying, “I would like to buy an ‘amberger!!”
Ooops sorry!! Must run! It’s time to pack up the bon-bons…we’re getting in the car…and driving to dance.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Grains of Gratitude
I am grateful that we survived last week. Much running, driving, sitting waiting and then being able to watch Boo’s stage debut. He was a little boy in the ballet Mme.Butterfly. He wore a wig of straight black hair and if you weren’t looking you would never have known it was him. He had a blast. The company was so kind, especially the ballet masters. And I was moved to tears watching this beautifully choreographed ballet. It was breathtaking and my baby was in it!!
I was blessed by the moms of the other children who participated. We had a common bond and got a chance to know each other and I think some friendships were formed. The boys and I had lunch with one of the moms and her children today. Boo hooked up with his cast-mate and they are cut from the same cloth entirely. She is a lovely little girl and so much fun. Her brother and Roo have known each other for a while and they are never at a loss for something to talk about. He is such a bright and energetic guy. They told riddles and laughed and ate well (you know one of those “mom” thing to be concerned about).The new restaurant we ate at was a blessing to be grateful for. It is close to where we are several nights a week and the food was awesome!! And not terribly expensive. We’ve been looking for a new favorite so now we’ve found one. Nice people, good food! A winning combination.
Roo has a birthday coming up in a few weeks. My father has asked that I continue to do the shopping for him (Mom had asked that I do it for her while she was ill) and I was able to find some really great bargains this week. I had a 40% off coupon for one item and found a sale on another really great gift. What a wonderful thing. Now to get our shopping done.
Two sweet bloggers graced me with a couple bloggy awards. I am humbled beyond words. Coach Jenny passed the Mathetes Award and Jenileigh passed the Thoughtful Blogger Award to me. I will pass these on to some more great bloggers this week. But I just had to share that I was grateful and blessed. There were a couple days when I was sinking a little low and this helped so much in rearranging my focus. Thanks Jenileigh and Jenny.Grains of Gratitude was the idea of Christine at Brady’s Bunch. I’ve found several people who have joined in.
What are you grateful for?
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Othello and Desdemona
Painting by Theodore ChasseriauDid an Egyptian to my mother give.
Othello, 3. 4
William Shakespere
I don’t think they were old enough to totally comprehend Othello and yet this weekend the boys saw Jose Limon’s ballet The Moor’s Pavane, one of three ballets we were blessed to see as a family this weekend.
The dancer who portrayed the Moor was the perfect brooding, jealous full of angst Moor there could be. His innocent wife was ethereal, a pale and lovely vision. The Moor’s friend and the friend’s wife were conniving and cat-like. Costuming and staging well done. Strangely enough it was possibly Roo’s favorite part of the evening of three ballets we saw performed.
We do that sometimes. Drop them into things that are “above their heads” and just let them swim a bit. They have yet to disappoint with their insight and comprehension. Considering our circumstances, a night at the ballet might seem a bit odd, but the tickets were purchased early last fall and so all we had to do was get dressed and present ourselves at the door.
The boys have been going to the ballet for nearly three years. It started out with a gracious gift from a gracious friend and has evolved into a family tradition four times a year. Ballet is not just for the well-heeled society mavens. Blue jeans and matinees are compatible and tickets range from $10 to $100 in our neck of the woods. So if you have never gone to a ballet and there is a company near you I recommend you check it out.
If your children are very young or your family is very strict about attire, do check ahead for the show you plan to see. There are some adult themes and interesting costuming occasionally. But if you appreciate beauty and grace combined with athleticism, exciting music and action, you should really see a performance. Larger cities and companies often schedule family friendly performances at least once a season. Story ballets are often an excellent introduction for young children.
My goal for this year when we get “back to normal” is to see at least one opera—we’ve watched several on DVD, but live is so much better. And to try to find a deal on symphony tickets, they've been more pricey than I had hoped. This summer I know there are going to be Shakespeare freebies available. We will be there too.
Add the Arts!
Photo of the Limon Dance Company by Rosalie O’Connor
(The performance we saw was not this one but was another company's.)
Saturday, December 30, 2006
As 2006 ends...
The year ended with the dog eating part of the gingerbread house and one cat deciding it was a good idea and sampling one of the gingerbread trees. Then the dog ate a loaf of bread and part of the paper wrapping. The dog has had her freedom revoked for when we leave the house. My psychologist friend says poochie is “acting out.” Well….Yeah???!!!!!! But with two boys ready to act out, I don’t have time to psychoanalyze the dog. She gets locked in the kennel when I leave. No brainer.
The year ended with haircuts—finding young men under the mops that had accrued. Boys hadn’t had haircuts for three (!!!) months. There was a good reason—because the year ended with Roo’s completing 10 Nutcrackers and Boo getting to watch twice. —but ahhhhhhhh…I love it when they look like gentlemen.
The year ended with too many goodies (the ones left alone by the dog) in the house and heartburn. Oh my, the heartburn. The year ended with more electronics and Transformer toys. There were also some old-fashioned games and arts and crafts.
The year ended with traveling to the grandparents for a less than 24 hour visit, with four hours of travel there and four back. My mother is still fighting cancer, my mil struggling with her issues and the frustration with what each of those mean.
Many activities were not accomplished and a lot of housework piled up. The year ended with a feeling of dissatisfaction that the whole point of Christmas and Hanukkah had been missed and that it was all my fault. There was the awareness that I have come in a circle with my beliefs and the confusion that comes with that.
The year ended with gratefulness that the LORD allowed me to go through all of this because it is certain all of these and more have molded me and hopefully pointed me more in the direction that I should be going.
Some of my favorite decorations are stitched with the word “JOY.” I had left them out all of 2006 hoping they would focus my attention to Him and the joy that only He provides. I need a lot more work. So I am dedicating 2007 to finding joy.
Joy to the world! Joy comes in the morning! Count it all joy…you see where I am going?
The year ended with haircuts—finding young men under the mops that had accrued. Boys hadn’t had haircuts for three (!!!) months. There was a good reason—because the year ended with Roo’s completing 10 Nutcrackers and Boo getting to watch twice. —but ahhhhhhhh…I love it when they look like gentlemen.
The year ended with too many goodies (the ones left alone by the dog) in the house and heartburn. Oh my, the heartburn. The year ended with more electronics and Transformer toys. There were also some old-fashioned games and arts and crafts.
The year ended with traveling to the grandparents for a less than 24 hour visit, with four hours of travel there and four back. My mother is still fighting cancer, my mil struggling with her issues and the frustration with what each of those mean.
Many activities were not accomplished and a lot of housework piled up. The year ended with a feeling of dissatisfaction that the whole point of Christmas and Hanukkah had been missed and that it was all my fault. There was the awareness that I have come in a circle with my beliefs and the confusion that comes with that.
The year ended with gratefulness that the LORD allowed me to go through all of this because it is certain all of these and more have molded me and hopefully pointed me more in the direction that I should be going.
Some of my favorite decorations are stitched with the word “JOY.” I had left them out all of 2006 hoping they would focus my attention to Him and the joy that only He provides. I need a lot more work. So I am dedicating 2007 to finding joy.
Joy to the world! Joy comes in the morning! Count it all joy…you see where I am going?
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