Last night, Adam had a late 3 on 3 hockey game out in Cloverdale. I think the final score was 19-14 for our guys...so much scoring!
Today I drove to Centennial Theatre in North Van to watch Ainsley's dance recital. Today she had two dances - jazz and hiphop. Its been a couple of years since I've been to one of her shows and she sure has matured as a dancer. I wasn't allowed to take any photos or video :(
On the drive home I drove past the theatre (METRO) that I spent every June at for 12 years. Dress rehearsals, performances - as dancers this is what we waited all year for. When I was younger, I remember watching the older girls in awe and also walking down Marine Drive to the little old-fashioned "penny" candy store and getting little bags of candy. As I got older, the whole thing became more of a social scene, hanging out with other dancers backstage and in the seats during rehearsals and also having long talks out back near the railroad tracks. The dancers were definitely our own little family and a part of my life I look back on with great fondness. I had always assumed that one day I would have my own little girl in dance and although the boys are happy to do artsy projects and bake with me, dance lessons are where they draw the line!
Years ago, my mom put together a scrapbook of photos from my childhood. These are some dance photos from when I was Ainsley's age - 12. I remember waiting with anticipation each year to see what kind of costumes we would be wearing! Betty Tufts Dance Studio went all out with a full theatrical production (sometimes a bit whacky!) with sets and special effects for the first half of the show and then a collection of dance routines for the second half. Dance companies now seem to go for a much more subtle approach ;)
First photo - I'm on the left in some sort of cat suit but I was en pointe- a big highlight for me!
Second photo - I'm second from the right - we're supposed to be Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire! I remember practicing forever with those dolls to get our routine down!
Third photo - Tap dancing as french maids of some sort! I think that's me second from the right again.
Wow, what a stroll down memory lane for me!
Oh Janice those pictures are priceless. I hope Sarah and Jack look stroll down memory lane by looking through the scrapbooks and mini books that I have for them.
Posted by: Litza2005 | 05/29/2010 at 09:52 PM
Here I am surfing the net, wondering what ever happened to Betty Tufts... is she still around? And I found your post. I also took dance classes with Betty Tufts from 1975-1987. I don't think you were in my class, but I remember the maid costume! Maybe I was a year or two ahead or behind you? Anyway, what great memories!
~Shannon
Posted by: Shannon Staples | 01/21/2011 at 09:41 PM
Hi Janice...it's been a long time! I just stumbled across your blog post because I had the urge to google Miss Betty. My mom and I were just talking yesterday about the many visits to your house making costumes with your mom. My memories of those days are very special too. Nice I'm not the only one that it made such an impression on. I had all boys too - so no dancing for them either. I hope you and your family have all been well!
Michelle Habkirk (far right with Fred, and middle of the maids line)
Posted by: Michelle | 07/02/2012 at 09:57 PM