Almost two full years ago, I walked into Joel Hall dance studio on Clark street slightly off of Ridge and found a new home. The family members are artistic, eccentric, talented and colorful. I've watched people that came in with me become members of the Second Company. I watched people that can't walk without tripping learn to glissade like a champion.
On Monday, I walked in to find the February Joel Hall production in rehearsal. It is amazing how beautiful bodies in motion can be. And while the fishbowl is alive with activity, I watch Lil' Red and Tiny J work their magic. Something in their movements, their expressions, their persona resonates with me.
I head into the studio and find the newbie that likes to be too close already in the room. I try to wait until she settles at the barre so I can pick a location far away but she lingers....looking uncertain as another newbie sets up. I drop my things and chat a little with MDB. The room fills and I take my place and the newbie slides in right behind me.
Side Bar: Effing friendly hormones....every time with the friendly hormones.
Menty: It's a gift.
Side Bar: It's a curse!
Class has 11 people with all varying degrees of experience and expertise. I lose it, I find it, I fix it, I point it, I plie it, I port de bra it, I drop it, I pick it up, and I try again and again.
Thursday night, instead of lining up to the side, I go to the front and stand looking at myself. I don't judge. I don't dissect. I just breathe and listen.
A newbie from the Monday class tells Miss M how neurotic MDB is. She tells Miss M, "It's like being in a room with firecrackers. She walks around fixing, touching, correcting and then we are on to the next thing - with a smile on her face!" And I forget because MDB is 'normal' to me now. She also said she would keep going to Monday class :)
Miss M gives us our combinations and we plie, tendu, degage, rond de jamb, frappe, and battement. I'm almost spot on for every combination. I focus, I remember, I breathe.
When class was over Miss M told me that my lines were looking really clean and I should move on to harder classes. And I thought maybe I should try Joel's Saturday class again....but it is just a thought for now.
Also, Hipnotic will performing at Shake and Skate at a Palatine roller rink at the end of February. LOL!!! www.hipnoticdance.com for more information.
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