Tiny Dancer

 

Is that a jazz hand I see? Little dancer baby coming soon!

NYE

I spent New Year's Eve dancing at a party with Tryon Entertainment in The Bahamas. I can't even describe how amazing it felt to be traveling outside of the US to do what I love with friends again. We even had an entire day to go to the beach and nearby Baha Mar. Thank you to my husband for supporting my decision to go instead of spending our first married NYE together. At the event, we greeted arriving guests and then danced the night away poolside. Close to midnight we realized that Justin Timberlake was there! 

So much has changed with travel so we had to get tested to enter and leave the country. All was fine, but it was definitely stressful waiting for the results. It was definitely worth it and I hope that more opportunities like this come up again soon. After a crazy 2 years, I think it is so important to just say YES and go for our dreams. I was getting a little down toward the end of last year. It's hard to see your industry completely destroyed and then slowly comeback in a totally different way. Things always seem to come up when you need them most. It renewed my love of this life. 

You Can Can Live Your Dreams.

My latest gig was at a Moulin Rouge themed party. We had rehearsal the day of since we performed a can can number. I'm glad we did since we did those over the leg cartwheels with a partner. That is probably my favorite move, but I'm a lefty so I had to learn right. All went well! The decor was so cute from the windmill to an ice Eiffel Tower and life size martini glass with a performer inside! Jump splits and high kicks always seem to find their way back into my life. Thank you Pzazz Productions. 

After our performance, we helped get the party going. I learned some fancy ballroom moves with a guest. I've been wanting to take ballroom forever. I signed up for ballroom club in college, but was too nervous to dance with strangers (I had never partnered before I booked my first professional job) and only went to one meet up. Hopefully Max will take lessons with me soon. I choreographed a little Waltz for our first dance so I'm assuming he will go along with it ; )

 

Married in My La Duca's

Surprise, surprise…I got married wearing La Duca Shoes. La Duca’s have danced with me for 15 years through summer intensives, at too many auditions to count, around the world on a ship, during my dream job with Susan Stroman, and at so many other life changing jobs, events, and classes. But most importantly, on my wedding day. Thank you Max for my gorgeous custom wedding shoes. Although they are no longer perfectly white and glittery post-wedding, I have the best memories of marrying you in a garden and dancing (… and jump splitting) the night away. 

Photography: Love Letters FL

I choreographed our first dance.

Dancing in Wine Country: A Grape Time ; )

Maybe I'm crazy, but when I was presented with the opportunity to travel and perform 4 days after a friend's wedding up north, and the weekend before my own, I jumped at the chance. In 2006, I went to my first Rockette Summer Intensive. Eileen Grace ran the program in those days. Fast forward to now and she happened to be the choreographer for my first performance gig since 2020. Pzazz Productions flew us out to Napa to perform at the most unique winery in an actual cave! I had never been to that part of California and I actually preferred it to Southern Cali. We drove in 2 groups from San Fran to Napa, stopping for the first of many sandwiches (lol) in a little town along the way. I can't put into words how special it felt to be back in rehearsal again. We rehearsed for a few hours the day we flew in. It was a privilege to kick and dance alongside some gorgeous new friends, including several Rockettes. 

The following day, we had rehearsal in the space with time to explore and take beautiful pictures. There is a waterfall in the middle of the cave that was always there and they just built around it! So neat. We did a run through in the most glam costumes created by Suzette Picazo. For two nights, we performed dances and kicklines at the event.  Having an audience after a year plus of not knowing when or if the industry would make a comeback, was A DREAM. They were so into it and appreciative. Our industry is coming back, don't give up! We even got to try some of the winery's amazing wine at the end of the night. 

It was interesting to see Napa right now. The fire meter is extreme and everything is very dry. There is also no cell service in many parts. I could tell what a beautiful place it is regardless and I can't wait to return someday. I definitely want to go on the Napa Wine Train next time. We had time one morning to explore downtown Napa and I used my concierge skills to find a cute brunch spot (Napa General Store). 

The morning of our flights, we drove from Napa to San Fran to check out Fisherman's Wharf. We drove across the Golden Gate and experienced the hilly streets made famous to me in Princess Diaries. I grew up playing Tony Hawk Pro Skater so everything looked familiar to me from the adorable sea lions to Alcatraz in the distance. I bought some souvenirs and we grabbed amazing crepes before heading to the airport.