...sillouettes of Christmas...

December 12, 2014

Last year, I attended St. John's Lutheran production of Sillouettes of Christmas. It is an hour long dramatization of the story of Christmas, with spoken word, song and dance. I had never seen anything like it, and was so moved by it, that I wanted to see it again this year and take some friends. So my sister-in-law, Heather, and her friend, Courtney, spent this evening with me enjoying a fresh take on an old classic.

The musicians and singers were wonderful, and I was surprised to hear some new songs. Do they redo the program every year? Seems like a lot of work. But what sets this apart for me is the dance. The dancers are behind a giant screen which is lit from behind. That means, all you see through out the story, are the sillouettes of the dancers. It is beautiful, and leaves quite an impression.

Here are some photos:

Angels dancing

Mary and Joseph heading to Bethlehem

Have you ever seen anything like this? What draws you into the spirit of Christmas?

...intermediate tap...

Have I told you that I was moved into Intermediate Tap II? No joke, although to watch me you'd think it was.

At the beginning of October, my teacher at Dancing Thru Life, Christine, suggested that I move into the Intermediate class since the focus in the beginner classes was on balance and I seemed to do just fine there. I went to one class, tripped and stumbled my way through, and she still felt that it was the class for me. I was reluctant, but excited for the challenge.

Oh, what a challenge it's been!

Each Wednesday, I walk into the studio with women twice my age who are more than impressive and quite intimidating in their skills. While they gracefully glide across the floor, I tend to trip and stumble, while still managing to make the correct tap sounds (just not the correct tap moves.) To be honest, I've caught some staring at me, and more than one laughing at me. (No, no, not laughing at me, laughing with me. I'm usually laughing the hardest, anyway.)

I'm only just starting to make a few friends. While, in the beginner's class we were all new, many of these ladies have been dancing together for years. There have been many moments when I felt like I didn't belong...until this past week.

Rita sent me the steps in an email so that I could practice during the week. (My biggest issue is remembering the order of steps.) Many of the ladies noticed I was under the weather and gave me small encouragements and well wishes. (I've been battling a monster cold virus since last Thursday.) And they included me in their Thanksgiving plans conversation. It's always nice to feel like you belong.

There's no class next week, and Christine says she'll have everything picked out for our recital after Thanksgiving. Oh, yes, for those of you in town, my very first dance recital will be Saturday, April 18, 2015. Mark your calendars!

Taking a dance class has been on my list of goals for longer than I care to share. I'm glad I took the plunge this year, and I can't imagine a better studio for adults than Dancing Thru Life.

What goals will you be able to cross of your bucket list this year?