Performing, Snow, and Amazing Opportunities!

  It's snowing in Denver! The first snow of the season is always pretty magical. I love watching the flakes float and flit their way down. Driving in it at first is another story-- sometimes not so magical. Speaking of magic, I had my first almost full length performance with Ballet Ariel this week. Being onstage is always a magical experience in a lot of ways for me, especially when my nerves don't get the best of me.
  I was super excited to be performing the roles I was given: In "Napoli," a classic Bournonville ballet (translated: lots of quick movements and jumps, made to look effortless... yeah... not so easy) I was given a role in the women's trio and a solo. "Polar Equals,", the contemporary pas de deux I performed in the summer at the studio tango show, was also part of the program. It is a fast, furious, and energetic piece to Nine Inch Nails that literally leaves me breathless halfway through. Lastly, we performed "Peter and the Wolf" in which I danced the role of the bird. Again, lots of jumps, running, and quick movements. Needless to say I was exhausted by the end but happy. Not everything went exactly as I wanted (and I haven't seen the video yet, so my real opinion is yet to be formed) but I am fairly pleased with how it went.
Lately I have also been making a lot of calls to local grief support organizations and groups, offering my dance piece "that which was lost" as a kind of dance therapy performance. Because our first show at a support group went so well, I was hopeful that we would be invited to perform at other venues and support groups/events to continue to be an outreach to those in need of comfort. And, exciting news-- we have been invited to perform at The Rowan Tree Foundation's Annual Candlelight Remembrance Event in Parker early December! (http://www.rowantreefoundation.org/) The Rowan Tree Foundation is a non profit organization run totally by volunteers, helping families heal after the loss of a child. In the directors' invitation to us, she mentioned that her entire board watched the dance on video and one of the board members called her in tears, saying they needed to have us come perform. What an amazing thing! For me this is a HUGE encouragement that God is using this to help others through grief. The Candlelight Remembrance Event will be attended by about 150 people, all parents who have lost a child. I am honored and beyond excited to be able to share my story through dance with them.                                                                                                                                                             

 

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check out our offical facebook page for "that which was lost" grief outreach through dance:                        http://www.facebook.com/ginaroseeslinger