NO - I didn't go to ballet on Christmas. This post was originally posted on my facebook Tuesday, December 21st. But it occurred to me that it didn't make it to my blog. So here it is 4 days late, but better late than never :)
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Joel Hall Studio is on holiday schedule - apparently Christmas and the changing of one year to the next is a big hairy deal - who knew? ;)
There will not be beginner ballet and ballet fundamental classes this week or next. I'm bummed - no MDB. Mr. Heinz's class is also on hiatus this week, but I'm thinking that's kinda a blessing - no guilt for skipping :)
I went to the studio yesterday to find the Ballet 1/2 class had been combined with the Ballet 3 class because the Ballet 1/2 teacher couldn't make it. The lady at the desk says Mrs. B will be teaching the combined class. I took one look at the teacher, the students and the fishbowl - then I promptly put my boots back on and walked back to my car. As I got in my car, Side Bar was about to give me the flux for being holiday chicken but Menty stepped in and told Side Bar to SHUT THEE HELL UP!
So I get outta bed this morning talking myself into going to the Ballet 1 class. I put on yoga dvd and between poses I pray for courage to go to class and STAY in class. I'm having a 'fat' day so I'm really not in the mood for being surrounded by skinny, but I put on my armor of black and for fun I put on my black and white striped tights.
I walk in and sign up for class. Remove three layers of clothes and find a spot at the barre away from the windows. The regular instructor is not here again. We have a sub. She teaches at Northeastern. Ms. NE is a little blonde woman with big gray eyes. She says she knows it's a mixed level course due to the holidays and if there is anything unfamiliar to anyone, please let her know. There are approximately 13 people in class.
And then it starts - plies (starting in second), moving to first, then fourth position with forced arches, plie to releve. Tendus crossed with changing speed and rhythm. More tendus, then frappes, frappes with beats in second, frappes pointed on releve, degages with changing speed, rhythm and funny business with alternating barre leg with outside leg. We do some more funny business with fondus, battements and the adagio at the barre. At this point, I'm seriously considering skipping floor work altogether. We are already 70 minutes, but I'm thinking I can do 20 minutes of floor work certainly.....possibly....maybe???
I walk over to Ms. NE to let her know I'm a beginner and I'm going to stay for the floorwork part. She tells me she hadn't thought I was a beginner. Then she tells me to let her know if there is anything I don't know in the combinations.
Side Bar: She's got a head cold - maybe it's affecting her vision too.
Menty: Or maybe we didn't screw up anymore than anyone else in class??
Then she gives us a really lengthy petit allegro.
Menty: I'm not intimidated. I'm not intimidated. I'm not afraid.
Side Bar: You keep thinking that, Menty......
Physie: Uh oh....
I manage to get it mostly right after doing it two full times in each direction. Then she gives us a really lengthy grand allegro with something called Tour Jete. I tell her that I don't know this move. She demonstrates it and then has me walk it through on both sides with her.
Side Bar: You better get to CHANTING!!
Menty: We can do it. We can do it.
We are going over in time but she makes us do it twice in each direction anyway. I manage to get it mostly correct with varying degrees of success on the tour jetes.
When class was over, one of the ladies that sat out the grand allegro told me I did pretty good for someone that didn't know what a tour jete was. I thanked her for the compliment as I layered up. I thank Ms. NE for the challenging (and sometimes mind boggling) class. She tells me again that she wouldn't have known I was a beginner if I hadn't told her.
Maybe it is a really bad head cold???
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