Cristina

We are going tomorrow after I pick up my daughter at school. Can't wait!

I posted on another forum how much I appreciate the heads up on this. It was wonderful.

Houston area 8:30 CST on Channel 8. Cristina

Arak, I think it is opening in several major cities MLK weekend. I bet you can go to the movie's website, and check opening dates for your area. Good luck!

I received an offer for a contest for 2 passes to the opening in Houston. 75 will be given away. We'll see if I win! :yes:

Mcqwillie, Good points. On another forum there was a discussion about educating people about the arts - whether ballet, or other arts. Where I live, people really do not see the benefit of fostering creativity through exposure to fine arts. Football is king, and sports in general rule. There are pockets of people who get it, but they are really in a minority. My family (husband, dd, and me) see ourselves as ambassadors for ballet. Of all the arts, it is the least represented, and understood in our area. We did have a lot of friends come to see our Nut (the first one presented locally in over 20 years). The response was wonderful. As with many other forms of enlightenment, we all have a role to play.

Liebs, Your statistics are interesting. I am a CPA, and do a lot of tax work. My experience (in my small part of the world) is that individuals do give much more than people are inclined to do through their businesses. However, (keep in mind I live in the Bible Belt), a huge proportion of the donations I see, go to churches and church-related organizations. In my practice, I just don't see much going to arts organizations. At best, I see people donating money to public television. There is a local arts organization that has member organizations - art gallery, symphony, theatre, natural history museum, etc. This is heavily supported by local industry. In most cases when my clients think they are donating money to these organizations, they are actually buying tickets to performances, an not really making donations. I assume the statistics you quote are national statistics? My slice of the pie is so small. And, many times when I travel to other parts of the country, I realize how unusual our little pocket of the world is - politically, culturally, and otherwise. In Texas you have to travel a fairly good distance to be away from Texas, and to realize that there are those other 49 states! Cristina

In our part of Texas we have also seen a decline in corporate giving to the arts, and other non-profits in general. It is a tough environment.

nlkflint, and others. It is not opening in the Houston area until January 16th. We'll be doing our whirlwind State of Texas tour that weekend for SI auditions. I'm hoping it opens in Dallas, also, and we can take it in that evening. Regardless of the early reviews, we are looking forward to seeing it! Cristina :hyper:

As soon as I read Paul's comments I thought of Strictly Ballroom. How funny that others made that association. They are both great movies. I think I'll rent both again soon! Cristina

Citibob, Adding to your list of game pieces - THE ballet bag (smelly or otherwise).

You could have a student version where the chance cards could be roles in ballets. Sorry, you did not get Sugar Plum, let your parents pay $100. Or, the properties could be SI's kids want to get into. The first row would be the regionaly, lesser known SI's. You could work around to the big dogs.... Of course, when would students have time to play? What with many hours of class and rehearsals each week - you could have a travel version they could play while they have down time. It seems there is a lot of waiting around that goes on at SI's and during Nut rehearsals. Maybe not as interesting as the full blown version!!!

All I can really say is Ditto to many of the comments that precede this. BA helps me be a better ballet parent; It broadens my horizons and enlightens me about ballet, literature, and many other topics; It gives me lots of perspective on the world of ballet out there; As VRS said, it keeps me on my toes with grammar and punctuation! It also gives my dd a place to share her passion for ballet. Happy Birthday BA!!! :party: :huepfen: :yes:

:rolleyes: Balletnutter's response reminded of something that we did for several years when my dd was younger. We live near Houston, and the theatre district has an open house every year on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon about the time kids go back to school. All theatre venues downtown are open. Each performing arts organization is represented. In Wortham theatre they have an area where ballerina's are in their beautiful custumes; they have the opera folks doing stuff; all kinds of dancers and musicians are performing; they have an instrument petting zoo where children can play with the symphony's instruments. There are several theatres within a couple of block radius, and a park in the middle of all of it. We had several visits to this event, and I highly recommend it. If you're in Houston, this is a great event - and if you are not - perhaps this is done in your area. Cristina

Our story is a bit like MSD's with our dancing daughter. Interesting boy story: I have two friends who have boys. When the boys were about 5 they came to our school's performance of Mid-Summer. There was a 13-year-old boy who performed, and is to this day really fun to watch. The 5-year-olds decided that ballet was a pretty neat thing - with all the action. One actually decided to take dance. The other has been to other performances, and hopefully is developing an appreciattion for it. This is one of the nice aspects of having a small ballet school that affords our dancers performance opportunities. It gets people to come watch who might not otherwise dream of going to a ballet. People who know us will come watch our daughter perform because they don't know anything about ballet - but think it is neat that she is so dedicated to it. That's the case with every kid who performs. Cristina

:yes: Mr. Mel, Your timing is incredible. Just yesterday my daughter was showing me the difference between turning to the inside vs. turning to the outside. I just did not get the concept. Your explanation makes great sense, and makes it clear. I was trying and trying to draw some analogy to something I knew - but really could not. Turning away from the supporting leg - or to the supporting leg I can live with. Thanks!

Old Fashioned, At the risk of sounding ignorant.... What are rush tickets? Thanks, Cristina

Here is a link to Molly Glentzer's review of the opening of Houston Ballet's season. Houston Chronicle Did anyone attend this performance? Cristina

Funny Face, Enjoyed your post about Mitford. I did not read these the first time around. This summer I picked up the first book for the first time - At Home in Mitford. I am nearly finished with it - but I don't want to finish. I feel that I will miss the characters when it's over. I enjoy peeking in on them each evening to see what they're up to. The last time I read a book with such engaging characters was Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove - a long time ago. There was something magical about how he developed the characters. Unfortunately, I have enrolled in a continuing studies course that lasts 1 year. I will be spending the next year reading way too much for that course. I won't be able to pick up another Mitford book until next summer - maybe the Christmas holidays. Cristina

Old Fashioned, I may have missed it...what was the venue for this - what theatre? Thanks, Cristina

This does not exactly address ballet - but it does speak to the need to dance. While in Orlando a few weeks ago, we attended an IMAX-type movie. (I can't remember what the type is - it's shown in an 8-story domed theatre). In any case - it was the movie STOMP. The movie starts with the group Stomp, but ties them to cultures from all over the world. It depicts native cultures from the far reaches of every part of the world. The film shows how we as humans are hard-wired for rhythm, and have a need express that rhythm in dance. It is beautifully done. Whether one is a ballet purist, or not, I think everyone would enjoy the film. It is impossible to leave without happy feet. Cristina

I couldn't resist what everyone said about the DaVinci Code. I picked it up before I left to take my DD to her SI. I read it on the plane both directions, and every moment I was not messing with getting my daughter settled. It what everyone promised it would be. I'm nearly finished, and it is really hard to put down. My DD is reading the new HP (Harry Potter) book when she takes a break from the many social activities at her SI. When she gets back, I will start it. She tells me there are many new characters. My sister said she is making a list of all the new characters so she can keep them straight. Until then I am picking up an old one - At Home in Mitford. Somehow I missed this book its first time around. I don't know how much more varied (and light) a reading list can get - but I suppose that is what one should do over the summer. Cristina

I'm afraid there is going to be a run on the bookstores for Da Vinci Code. I better hurry, and get mine ordered. There was a nice list on public radio this morning. They interviewed the CEO of Amazon.com. One of the things on his list was a collection of short stories. I was busily getting ready for Church, and did not get to listen carefully to other recommendations. But, if you're interested, I bet you can find that inteview @ npr.org. Cristina

I am definitely picking up the Da Vinci Code. Anyone reading Hillary's book? Cristina

No one has mentioned another possibility Mother Teresa Barbie... the possibilities are endless... I guess this is one way to get the arts to the masses. In my neck of the woods, I actually know people who have finally taken their children to a REAL Nutcracker. Their kids have grown up only seeing the Barbie video, and they finally realized that the real thing may be worth the price...Is it possible that they would not have otherwise taken their kids to a REAL ballet? Cristina:confused: