THRILLER!

So yesterday was the last day of a very long and difficult week for all the dancers of the Sacramento Ballet.  It has been said that a dancer becomes a "Balanchine dancer" by learning and dancing the repetoire that has been choreographed and handed down from one dancer to the next.  I believe that this tradition of learning the choreography of this great master, George Balanchine, from one of his pupils - such as the incomparable, John Clifford, is an invaluable experience that can not be duplicated by any other means.  While our world is constantly developing technologically, it is a special feeling to just stand in a large, stark room with another individual and learn dance steps the same way as has been for decades.  To dance and learn one of these ballets is special, because you are dancing a piece of a legacy - honoring the choreography and all the amazing dancers who have successfully executed the difficult and demanding steps.  When learning "Stars and Stripes" or "Tarantella" from Mr. Clifford you are given a glimpse into history, while watching Mr. Clifford recall an anecdote of Mr. Balanchine's or as he sings the music aloud; trying to remember the movements he once performed.  We are very lucky that The Sacramento Ballet continues to preserve this ballet tradition.

At the end of the day on Saturday - I was joined by a group of eager parents and students from the School of The Sacramento Ballet, to start preparing our THRILLER FLASHMOB.  Although the week's activities had exhausted my brain and muscles I was immedietly rejuvenated by this great group of people.  If you haven't already heard - The Sacramento Ballet is going to perform a Flashmob in Midtown, performing Michael Jackson's iconic "Thriller" dance!  With the guidance of Ron & Carrine I have more or less taken the reigns of this project - spending time learning and formatting how this is all going to work.  If yesterday was just an example of how this is all going to turn out....then I am really pumped.  Yesterday I along with my group of volunteers learned the main dance portion of the mob, and we were joined by our videographer, Glen, who is going to help us make a viral video, so that people can learn the dance at home as well!!!  I also want to invite you all to come and learn the dance on Saturday, October 8 from 6-6:30pm at the Sacramento Ballet studios and then again during our "Dracula's Passions of the Heart" in-studio previews!  Although the time and place of the THRILLER FLASHMOB are being kept a secret, you can learn exact details in the upcoming weeks by tracking the Sacramento Ballet on Facebook & Twitter.  So come on all you ghouls - dust off your moonwalking skills and help us MOB MIDTOWN!

Always, Christopher