May 5, 2010 also know as Cinco de Mayo.

This morning was perfect. I woke up to sunshine, one thing that Spring is good for. I really have a hard time waking up to darkness and bitter cold. I made my Green Smoothie for the day, got my son ready for school and then thanks to the beautifully cool weather, we all took him to school. My husband rode his bike, I walked and the boy ran between the two of us all the way there. All three blocks. It’s perfect because unless the weather is too bad or we are running late, we can simply take a walk together.

After that, we hung around the house, watched some tv and took a cat nap. Not before I checked my email though waiting for the one that would allow me to come to the Cincinnati Ballet and sit in on a rehearsal since I will not be able to attend this weekends production due to a conflicting schedule. *tear*

The invitation was set for 1:40 so of course, I was there at 1:27! It seems that no matter what it is, I am either really late or really early. If you think you can decipher that situation, please do tell. Since we actually left the house about half an hour before that, J and I drove by the Justice Center so that I could run in a pay a parking ticket. That’s an experience you should avoid and just pay it online! I had to wait in a really long line to go through metal detectors because some moron brought a gun into one of the court rooms. I was not actually surprised looking around the place. I waiting in line with scantily clad women who looked like they were there to pick up their pimps. I waited in line with a young attractive woman behind me talking to her friend about the lawyer she paid thousands to trying to have her criminal case dropped! Really?

It wasn’t until my husband dropped me off at the ballet center and I heard the music that I felt at home and secure. I’ll take en point shoes to hooker ones any day thank you.

I checked the Cincinnati Ballet’s website for some new goings on and found this article written by David Lyman with Cincinnati.com, and can completely understand what Ms. Touchet is feeling. In my own world of course. That of course is another story all together though.

At age 15, Janessa had already been dancing for more than a decade. How can you be sure that something you have done since you were a child is something that you really want to do and not just something that you are good at through years of practice? Quit.

What’s that saying? If you love something set it free. If it comes back to you, it’s yours. This is exactly what she did and now Janessa knows that she not only is great at dancing, but loves it too.

So, why doesn’t she leave the Cincinnati Ballet and run off to a bigger company perhaps in a bigger city or even a different country? Why would she when she has everything she needs and wants here.A great company, friends and the stage. As one of only two female principle dancers Ms. Touchet definitely has the stage as she plays the lead role in the Valentine’s weekend performance of Cinderella.

Don’t miss seeing the productions:

• February 12, 2010 / 8:00pm /
  Purchase Event Tickets
• February 13, 2010 / 2:00pm /
  Purchase Event Tickets
• February 13, 2010 / 8:00pm /
  Purchase Event Tickets
• February 14, 2010 / 2:00pm /
  Purchase Event Tickets

Last night was the opening night for The Nutcracker 2009 here in Cincinnati. I not only had the pleasure of seeing this performance for the first time live, I also had the opportunity to see it with my Mother. She has never been to the ballet so I thought it would be a wonderful Christmas present for the both of us to see it together. And, as expected, the choreography and the dancers hard work  did not disappoint.

Victoria looked beautiful and very proud to speak last night not only about the wonderful presentation of the Nutcracker that is always so well received and greatly anticipated but about some wonderful news that was announced a few days earlier. The orchestra is always a wonderful addition to each production and adds that much more without taking away from the beauty of the dancing. They have been trying to raise funds to keep their involvement with the ballet. On December 11th, it was reported that 98 year old Louis Nippert donated $85 million to the Arts, including the ballet and their orchestra. Thank you to this most gracious donor and fellow arts lover.

In last nights performance, the leads of Marie and The Nutcracker were played by Janessa Touchet and Cervilio Amador respectively. I, like my Mom have never actually seen the entire ballet and therefor honestly did not know exactly what was going on and yet the story pretty much told itself. We agreed that it was very well choreographed and that Mr. Devon Carney helped tell the story with his emotion and arm movements.

Mom and I  sat on the third floor balcony, where I admit that I was a bit afraid to walk down to my seat. Funny thing is that I am a flight attendant and yet terrified of heights! I found out though that it brings a whole new view that was quite exciting. The only thing that I was sad about is that I could not completely tell the faces of who was dancing that far away. What we were able to see is the formations of the dancers and the entire stage along with the orchestra, which was really nice. I enjoyed being able to see which instrument was making the more unusual sounds, which would drive me crazy more than leave something to the imagination. The other thing that I could see from that high unfortunately was the fact that it appeared that some of the dancers were not placed well. What I mean by that for example is when there were four dancer on stage, dancing in a circle , each dancer was not the same distance apart. Or, one dancer would be too far forward or back from the others and the timing was not always in synch. First of all, I wonder if I am being too overly critical, can the patrons on lower levels tell the difference and is this even something that matters. No matter where the dancers were on stage they looked amazing.

The set in the first scene was a little disappointing for me. The reason that I say this is because the colors were so muted and dull compared to last months production of Swan Lake. The curtain staged as a home in scene one with views through the windows was quite creative however, I suppose I just expected more of a pop of color like last month. Of course, speaking of a pop, the ingenious use of fireworks to show the magic used by Herr Drosselmeier certainly caught the audiences attention. With a surprised gasp, the excitement didn’t stop with just one bang yet the next was just as exciting as the first. I am still thinking about the items on stage like the bed that both flew through the air and floated effortlessly across the stage by itself.

It’s possible that some of the children  found the fight with the mice and their Mouse King to be the funniest as told by the laughter coming from the audience. It wasn’t until Act 2 when the color I was looking for danced onto the stage in the form of flowers and world dancers. Lovely shades of blue, yellow, orange and purple twirled so beautifully and enter the brilliant red rose. Yellow and black in the Spanish dancers. Sensuous elegance in the Arabian dancers. Some other things that the children loved were the Chinese Trainer and his dragon and Mother Ginger standing very tall with 8 little children all under “her” dress that come out one by one then two by two.

Overall, I am so glad that I was able to see this production and look forward to many years of working with the ballet. Don’t miss out on your chance to see this wonderful group of dancers. I for one cannot wait to go back on the 23rd to see my friend Jill dance her first season as the lead of Marie after all of her work of learning the part.

I am so exctied the long awaited Nutcracker Ballet is almost here. Opening night is December 17^th at 8:00pm and continues until the 27^th. This performance is the ballet that marks the Christmas season for me. It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Nutcracker anymore than it would be without Santa Claus. The same weekend that the performance opens, the Cincinnati Ballet is offering two events that mark the most anticipated ballet of the year.

NutcrackerChildren’s Luncheon

For those little prince and princesses in your life, you will not want them to miss the children’s luncheon on Saturday the 19^th at 11:30am-1:30pm. Enjoy a child friendly menu with surprise entertainers and ballet selections from The Nutcracker Ballet presented by Frisch’s and performed by Otto M. Budig Academy students.

Being held at The Westin Hotel on Fountain Square Presidential Ballroom, tickets are available individualy for $35 with tickets to the performance at the Aronoff Center sold seperately or order a Family & Friend Tables for $850.00, which includes 10 tickets to Luncheon & Performance!

Please contact: Event Manager, Tammy Gambrel at 513-562-1138 or email tgambrel@cincinnatiballet.com.

This year marks the 35^th Anniversary of the performance being brought to fan’s thanks to Frisch’s support and with that brings an unbelievable event:

2009 Nutcracker Gala: Reflections

The event honor’s the support of Frisch’s on December 20^th from 6-9pm with a cocktail reception, dinner “by-the-bite” and a silent auction at 6:00pm followed by a presentation and live auction at 7:15pm. At 8:00pm deserts and a champagne toast on the Aronoff stage following in the theme of The Land of Sweets.

Take part in an amazing part of history as we stroll down memory lane with 35 years of one of the most beloved and cherished ballets known as The Nutcracker.

The AronoffCenter for the Arts

(Loge and Stage of The Procter & Gamble Hall)

650 Walnut Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
……………………………

December 20^th 6:00pm-9:00pm

Tickets $150.00 per person

Please contact: Event Manager, Tammy Gambrel at 513-562-1138 or email tgambrel@cincinnatiballet.com.