It was a weekend of activity for us. Sis had her first horse show of the season on Saturday, a home show which was kind of a dress rehearsal for the rest of competition. She rode Steeler, which made her happy; through, really, riding any of them--Tucker, Pooh, Murphy, Brooke, Levi--would make her happy. In fact, I'm convinced that she'd be just as glad to be around them as ride them. Horse love is strong with that one. She earned third and fourth places in equitation (don't ask, I don't know) and then first and second places in pole jumping. She was very pleased, even commenting that she had one of each color now (which is what I said about swim meet ribbons decades ago!) She stayed afterwards to help with clean up and to hang out with the other riders. She loves it all.
On Sunday, Bud had a kung fu performance at a local college's dragon festival. It was outside, which was a bit of a surprise, but it was at least a beautiful day (it had rained Saturday, so Sis's horse thing was inside.) Bud performed his fist, broad sword, nine chain, and straight sword forms. There was some trouble with the mats on the concrete--they kept slipping, making the kids recalibrate their forms to adapt. We were afraid someone was going to be injured during a jump. Bud landed funny on a cartwheel and hurt his ankle some, but he is better this morning. He loves kung fu. And we love watching him. Any performance is a great learning experience, even one that is less than ideal. He isn't competing this May, because of the school play, so now he can enjoy the sport instead of stressing over form for a few weeks. He'll like that.
Showing posts with label performance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label performance. Show all posts
Monday, April 24, 2017
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
The Show Went On
I can't even put the wonderful experience of the weekend into words. The kids' elementary school musical was phenomenal!
Well, for an elementary school production. But I'm a proud mommy and I thought it was marvelous.
Way back in January, they had been nervous about auditioning for the show, even though everyone gets a part. Still, standing up and singing in front of people is very intimidating. But they did it and both got into the ensemble. Bud had a callback and had hoped for a small speaking part. Instead, he became one of the dancers.
For months they practiced every week. Hours. The last week, they rehearsed until 8 pm on Tuesday, 6 pm on Wednesday, and 9:15 on Thursday. And behind the scenes, many parents were busy. I stepped in to coordinate the healthy snacks for the performers during the show (the last person left no notes and, of course, I wasn't involved last year so it was a steep learning curve all the way through the weekend.) Mama served as a backstage runner/stage door manager so someone else could see the show on Saturday. I bought make up, found the right shoes, filled out forms to buy t-shirts and DVDs, and designed our congratulatory ads for the program. We did a lot of driving back and forth. Other parents spent everyday at the rehearsals and nights making sets and costumes and props. So much hard work by so many dedicated and enthusiastic people.
We were all atwitter on Friday for the hour or so between their arriving home on the bus and their needing to be back at school. It was a long wait for all of us. Finally we got the kids freshly showered and deodorized (imagine 80+ sweaty kids without deodorant under hot lights with no air conditioning in rooms together.) I got the snacks and paper goods into the car. Off we went.
After getting them where they need to be and setting up the snacks in the cafeteria, Mama and I took our seats for the first show. So excited for them, so nervous for them.
And they both shined! Lit up the stage! What can I say? I only watched them. Sis was in a flowery dress with a pink bow on her head. Being shorter than almost everyone else, she looked about five years old. Sweet and cute. She doesn't like dresses, being "sweet" or "cute, though she likes pink but not bows. We told her she was a great actress to pull off the role! Bud started in a dark suit with a cap, then removed the jacket to show his suspenders and hiked his pants like knickers (with this handy little elastic thing.) Later, he'd put on a band uniform. And he danced and danced with great expression and joy. Of course, I got all teary.
We saw them perform twice--Friday and Sunday--and spent Saturday helping backstage. The kids got into costume, then went into hair and make up, and then waited in the cafeteria for their various cues. They ate fresh fruit and veggies, had lots of water, and talked relatively quietly with their friends. Sis played UNO and read. Bud ate lots of fruit.
After each show, we went out, mainly to a late supper at a local place. Just like real Broadway stars! They told stories with their friends, wolfed down fries and shakes, sang songs together, gave one another back rubs, and signed each other's special shirts. The adults sat, ate, and marveled at the kids' energy. Bud especially talked and talked about the whole thing; I wish I could remember everything he enthused about. (If I do, I'll insert it here.)
And then it ended much more suddenly than it all began. Three days, three performance, the end of the show and the weekend. But we all made a lifetime of great memories and, I think, awakened a little bit of the performing bug in each of them.
I'm glad they have one more year in elementary school so they can do it all again.
Well, for an elementary school production. But I'm a proud mommy and I thought it was marvelous.
Way back in January, they had been nervous about auditioning for the show, even though everyone gets a part. Still, standing up and singing in front of people is very intimidating. But they did it and both got into the ensemble. Bud had a callback and had hoped for a small speaking part. Instead, he became one of the dancers.
For months they practiced every week. Hours. The last week, they rehearsed until 8 pm on Tuesday, 6 pm on Wednesday, and 9:15 on Thursday. And behind the scenes, many parents were busy. I stepped in to coordinate the healthy snacks for the performers during the show (the last person left no notes and, of course, I wasn't involved last year so it was a steep learning curve all the way through the weekend.) Mama served as a backstage runner/stage door manager so someone else could see the show on Saturday. I bought make up, found the right shoes, filled out forms to buy t-shirts and DVDs, and designed our congratulatory ads for the program. We did a lot of driving back and forth. Other parents spent everyday at the rehearsals and nights making sets and costumes and props. So much hard work by so many dedicated and enthusiastic people.
We were all atwitter on Friday for the hour or so between their arriving home on the bus and their needing to be back at school. It was a long wait for all of us. Finally we got the kids freshly showered and deodorized (imagine 80+ sweaty kids without deodorant under hot lights with no air conditioning in rooms together.) I got the snacks and paper goods into the car. Off we went.
After getting them where they need to be and setting up the snacks in the cafeteria, Mama and I took our seats for the first show. So excited for them, so nervous for them.
And they both shined! Lit up the stage! What can I say? I only watched them. Sis was in a flowery dress with a pink bow on her head. Being shorter than almost everyone else, she looked about five years old. Sweet and cute. She doesn't like dresses, being "sweet" or "cute, though she likes pink but not bows. We told her she was a great actress to pull off the role! Bud started in a dark suit with a cap, then removed the jacket to show his suspenders and hiked his pants like knickers (with this handy little elastic thing.) Later, he'd put on a band uniform. And he danced and danced with great expression and joy. Of course, I got all teary.
We saw them perform twice--Friday and Sunday--and spent Saturday helping backstage. The kids got into costume, then went into hair and make up, and then waited in the cafeteria for their various cues. They ate fresh fruit and veggies, had lots of water, and talked relatively quietly with their friends. Sis played UNO and read. Bud ate lots of fruit.
After each show, we went out, mainly to a late supper at a local place. Just like real Broadway stars! They told stories with their friends, wolfed down fries and shakes, sang songs together, gave one another back rubs, and signed each other's special shirts. The adults sat, ate, and marveled at the kids' energy. Bud especially talked and talked about the whole thing; I wish I could remember everything he enthused about. (If I do, I'll insert it here.)
And then it ended much more suddenly than it all began. Three days, three performance, the end of the show and the weekend. But we all made a lifetime of great memories and, I think, awakened a little bit of the performing bug in each of them.
I'm glad they have one more year in elementary school so they can do it all again.
Monday, February 15, 2016
Practice, Practice, Practice
To reverse the joke, that's how you get to Lincoln Center!!!
Last night, Bud performed with his kung fu team at a Chinese New Year celebration at David Geffen Hall. Originally, only the older members of the team were going, but Bud was added pretty much at the last minute.
We never dreamed that he would ever be on the Lincoln Center stage!! What a wonderful and amazing experience! I don't know if it dawned on Bud until we got there just how big a venue and event this was; the couch didn't seem to know Lincoln Center at all and so maybe they were all spared some of the anticipatory jitters.
So, he spent most of Saturday with his team, practicing, practicing, practicing.
And yesterday, we went into Manhattan for rehearsal and the performance. We had lunch, checked into our hotel, the Empire, across the street, met up with his teammates, and then Sis and I went back to the room (grabbing Starbucks coffee on the way), where we met up with Ma, Gong, and Goo. We went back to Lincoln Center around 6:45 and took our seats in the back of the first tier (which was better than we expected.) As we got closer to time, I got more nervous about the whole thing (because I knew how big Lincoln Center was!)
Meanwhile. Bud and his team got a very truncated rehearsal and a ton of waiting time in their green room, where they chatted, ate sandwiches, and made friends with other performers from a Chengdu dance team (our group was the only American-born group of performers.)I understand it was kinda tense at times backstage and acts rehearsed, chairs were moved, kids got a little stage fright, and adults spoke sternly to each other in Mandarin. But our team hung together tightly and made the most of it. They watched the internal monitors to know when it was their turn, about an hour into the evening.
Wow.
Am I a proud mom!
Their section of the program was about ten minutes, but it was a well-done routine and they looked great. (There was a glitch with the music, but the team waited it out.) Bud did his 9-chain and his Tong Bei form--beautifully! The team got lots of cheers. And I got all choked up. Later, he said he could hear some of the applause.
We opted not to stay for the rest of the show and so met the team in the lobby for congratulations and photos--Bud was both extremely excited and pretty exhausted. And hungry. So we said goodbye to the group and our family went out for a celebratory seafood dinner at a place called Ed's Chowder House. It was delicious.
Bud's eyes were drooping over his souffle and we headed upstairs to bed.
Wow.
As his teammate's mom said, "This was a real bucket list item. Except it probably wasn't even on their list yet!
Last night, Bud performed with his kung fu team at a Chinese New Year celebration at David Geffen Hall. Originally, only the older members of the team were going, but Bud was added pretty much at the last minute.
We never dreamed that he would ever be on the Lincoln Center stage!! What a wonderful and amazing experience! I don't know if it dawned on Bud until we got there just how big a venue and event this was; the couch didn't seem to know Lincoln Center at all and so maybe they were all spared some of the anticipatory jitters.
So, he spent most of Saturday with his team, practicing, practicing, practicing.
 |
| Waiting |
 |
| We're here! |
 |
| Checking it out |
 |
| Dress rehearsal--he's the red/white blur in the back right |
And yesterday, we went into Manhattan for rehearsal and the performance. We had lunch, checked into our hotel, the Empire, across the street, met up with his teammates, and then Sis and I went back to the room (grabbing Starbucks coffee on the way), where we met up with Ma, Gong, and Goo. We went back to Lincoln Center around 6:45 and took our seats in the back of the first tier (which was better than we expected.) As we got closer to time, I got more nervous about the whole thing (because I knew how big Lincoln Center was!)
 |
| Backstage |
 |
| Heading to their room |
 |
| View from the stage |
 |
| Dress rehearsal--he's the red/white blur near the photo's middle |
Wow.
Am I a proud mom!
 |
| The finale of their routine--he's the red/white blur in the back row, very middle |
 |
| The program |
 |
| Leaving by the stage door on 65th |
Bud's eyes were drooping over his souffle and we headed upstairs to bed.
Wow.
As his teammate's mom said, "This was a real bucket list item. Except it probably wasn't even on their list yet!
Monday, September 23, 2013
Music Notes
Violin: $$
Cello: $$
Stuff to go with them: $$$
A pizzicato (plucking) concert after just one lesson: priceless!
The kids hauled their instruments to school today--one giant though half-sized cello and one half-sized violin, safely tucked in their cases (I didn't get a picture because the bus was very early.) They were so proud and so excited.
And came off the bus dragging those huge cases, still proud and excited (but still no picture.) And tonight after dinner, they played a concert for me. And wanted me to record it, from the moment they opened their cases to the when they bowed. They had their music stands and strings books out so it would look "professional" and then played a concert by plucking and later by bowing their own songs, as solos and duets. And rest and play position were key. Bud also sang a "Phantom of the Opera" solo.
When I showed them the videos, they laughed and loved it--especially the commercial they made for the Rainbow Loom--and said the music was awful. "It sounded better in person."
But I thought the whole thing was beautiful.
Cello: $$
Stuff to go with them: $$$
A pizzicato (plucking) concert after just one lesson: priceless!
The kids hauled their instruments to school today--one giant though half-sized cello and one half-sized violin, safely tucked in their cases (I didn't get a picture because the bus was very early.) They were so proud and so excited.
And came off the bus dragging those huge cases, still proud and excited (but still no picture.) And tonight after dinner, they played a concert for me. And wanted me to record it, from the moment they opened their cases to the when they bowed. They had their music stands and strings books out so it would look "professional" and then played a concert by plucking and later by bowing their own songs, as solos and duets. And rest and play position were key. Bud also sang a "Phantom of the Opera" solo.
When I showed them the videos, they laughed and loved it--especially the commercial they made for the Rainbow Loom--and said the music was awful. "It sounded better in person."
But I thought the whole thing was beautiful.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Friday Night Ice
On Friday night, we trooped--with the Brownies--to Disney on Ice, our first time at that show. It was crowded and chaotic, swarming with young children and things to buy. We had great seats, rink-side, and could see everything, from the ice-skating Cars to the flying fairies. The fairies were my favorite; Sis thought so, too. We all liked Toy Story--laughing at dancing Hamm and admiring Jesse's lanky moves (Bud did not like that Barbie ripped up Ken's clothes, though; he thought it was mean, even under the circumstances)--but Sis thought it was too long. They were a bit confused about the appearance of an undersea set, not sure if it were Nemo or Little Mermaid, even with "Under the Sea" playing. Clearly, we're not quite ready for Disney World! But we were a very enthusiastic audience, sipping slushies and eating cotton candy while smiling and even waving at the skaters. I definitely admired the athleticism and artistry of the skaters, who demonstrated some of their jumps and spins in a post-show technical explanation.
Sunday, December 2, 2012
He's Playing My Song
Bud had his first piano recital today, after just four months of lessons (and only 3 months with this teacher). With a plate of homemade brownies in hand, we made our way to the library. Bud played in the middle of the program and waited with increasing anticipation. But he played his two pieces, "Good King Wenceslas" and "Joy to the World," very well indeed. We were very proud, not only of his performance but in his interest and persistence in learning a new skill.
And yes, I cried. Though, oddly, not during his part--I cried during the pieces of people a few ahead of him and then only again on the way home!
Coincidentally, "Wenceslas" was the first song I learned how to play during my summer of lessons after college, but his is already a more advanced version!
And yes, I cried. Though, oddly, not during his part--I cried during the pieces of people a few ahead of him and then only again on the way home!
Coincidentally, "Wenceslas" was the first song I learned how to play during my summer of lessons after college, but his is already a more advanced version!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Upside Down You Turn Me
Sis and Bud saw a troupe of Chinese acrobats performing the most amazing tricks this weekend: body contortions, balancing acts on chairs and bicycles, spinning plates, flipping bowls on their head while pedaling unicycles, something we can only call "the yo-yo," tumbling (which is such a simple word for such amazing maneuvers!), lion dancing, among other things.
So of course that came home and wanted to do the exact same things.
Despite the fact that the performance was prefaced with an announcement "not to try this at home," a warning reiterated by Mama several times, along with "they've practiced for years."
Suffice it to say, those warnings didn't stick. The kids have been trying to replicate the easiest-looking of the tricks, only to find that it's really hard to catch a bowl on your head, even when you use your hand and not your foot to toss it there, or that you can't spin one plate on a stick much less three in each hand while flipping yourself back and forth.
They were a little more successful outside, on the rope ladder and monkey rings and the swings. Thank goodness we mulched that playset this summer! Not that I think 2 inches of bark will keep it from hurting when they fall on their heads. But that's the theory.
I did enjoy both their own acrobatic performance for us on Sunday and also watching the video of the troupe with them, particularly because I hadn't gone with them. Really amazing stuff, that, though I kept holding my breath lest they make a painful mistake and imagining how much I would hurt myself if I tried the same thing!
And I managed to teach the kids how to do a headstand, memories of my own thumping against the living room wall of my childhood home suddenly fresh in my mind. Note: couch pillows help.
But at least you can try that at home.
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