This note was originally posted on my facebook page on February 10th - in addition to taking ballet classes - I also happen to work. So sometimes there are long silences between posts - but now you have catch up reading to do....ENJOY!!
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I walked into MDB's class tonight still smarting from Mr. Heinz's careless closure of my regular Wednesday night debauchery classes. While I was as regular as could be expected for an international event planner, I guess I wasn't regular enough to warrant an email notice.
MDB, however, gives advance notice - and typically it's her sub that flakes out - which she can't help and I wouldn't hold that against her anyway. MDB even sent me a message to tell me that class was cancelled on blizzard night...I seriously heart MDB.
So MDB has 5 women in class including the Olsen twins when I walk through the door. And apparently, MDB has been telling them stories about ME....something to effect of calling her a liar...WHO? ME? I clarify that MDB has this particular thing she likes to say. And everyone just falls for it because she's short and cute with an slight southern accent. And ham, that she is, MDB says "And I SMILE!" LMAO!! Which is true - she does smile!
I say hi to the Olsen twins, which makes them laugh. And the 4 newbies laugh and I tell them that this is the most I will be talking during the whole class and I only nickname regulars - but I never clarified to what purpose I use these nicknames.
We have two men join us so the class rounds out with 7 women and 2 men. Lil Yellow has come back - apparently his ego has gotten over the issue of not pointing his feet. PC (Pretty Clueless) is missing in action, but I don't want to count him out yet.
Mary Kate and I line up at a barre in the middle of floor and handle the usual plies, a flavorful tendu combination, a savory degage assembly, tasty frappe selection, sizzling rond de jambes and swinging grande battements. The tendus include demis, full, and flexes. The degages are rhythmic and 'hamster height'. The frappes violently strike the floor into obedience, while the rond de jambes push to find the perfect second position and pique to points. The battements come out swinging in fours and coup to test your control and all the while:
Menty: Don't lift the hip. Don't lift the hip. Don't lift the hip.
Side Bar: Don't lift the hip. Don't lift the hip. Don't lift the hip.
Physie: Don't lift the hip. Don't lift the hip. Don't lift the hip
MDB: HIGHER!!
Side Bar: Hey! Be quiet out there - we are all focused here!!!
MDB: I'm greedy. I know - I want it all. She laughs and smiles and goes and picks on Lil Yellow.
Menty: She is greedy!! But I like her :)
We put away the barres and move to the adagio. She shows us twice on each side and then we try it - then we try it again. My retire to the knee needs to come to the front immediately, but I can't seem to finangle the foot moving with the arms and head...we move onto the foot warm up exercise when I realize I have a question about the adagio. MDB answers it and I know I'm going to go home and practice - TOMORROW.
We move into the waltz turn across the floor, followed by bouncy hops and skips while trying to maintain 'hang' time, and finish with pique turns.
MDB says she might turn one of the Beginner Ballet classes on Monday or Tuesday into a Level 1 class. I vote for Tuesday, please. I know the Olsen twins can't make Tuesday, but they don't write a blog about class or bring fresh produce, or give nicknames or wear belly dance pants or come as regularly or have their hair braided....ok, so that last one might not be valid...but I'm just saying :)
See you next Thursday, MDB. And thanks for being reliable, funny, kind, witty, talented and wonderful teacher and person. I always look forward to your smiling face, ponytails and weird visualizations :)
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