Show time with ballet-ballet

This weekend was a very hectic one. Friday was the dress rehearsal for the ballet performance staged by the Dance Academy. For us, it was very special as it was to be Big G's first performance. Friday evening she put on her ballet-pack,  I made a low bun for her with a net, held in place with  those U-pins,  some foundation and pink eye-shadow. For the record, I had to buy all of these especially for Big G as mommy dear has no make-up at home save for a kajal pencil and some assorted lipsticks.

There were 3 shows in all, one on Saturday evening and two on Sunday - afternoon and evening shows.  Sunday was a long day as the children had to wait back in between the shows. The wooden stage and rugged looking auditorium was transformed into a colorful circus tent. One would never guess it was so plain-looking the day before. The Director of the Academy was dressed up as the circus-master and timed his entry and speech in helping put the props up for each performance. A total of 160 students (both junior and senior) performed.

The theme for the performance was Circus - so there were various groups - clowns, court dancers, magicians, mice, acrobats, pom-pom dancers, lollypops, flying circus, etc. Big G's group were the mice with a cheese block as their prop. A sole graceful cat made the naughty mice scatter here and there and then led them away from the stage. In the end, all the junior dancers came together on stage for a grand finale, which was spectacular to see and well-orchestrated.

I also volunteered to help on the two evenings, just to be part of the fun and to be with Big G as I knew she was a teeny-weeny bit apprehensive on being on stage. The whole family went to see Big G and her troupe perform for the Sunday afternoon performance  Lil G was most disinterested. On reaching the auditorium, she promptly asked to munch something, then she could not wait for her sister's turn to arrive, and nor did she want to sit for the whole performance with the break in-between. Kept saying house and where is Bena all the while. So after the finale for the junior dancers, my husband took her back home.

I also relived my own days whilst participating in extra-curricular activities. It gave such a fun dimension to school-life. I had a good time staying back with the girls and helping them dress up and generally practicing my slow Dutch with them. My sewing skills came handy and I helped repair a couple of costumes and shoes. Keeping them quiet in between performances was a challenge, I often would start with chup and shaanth, then move to rustige and stil :) Interacted with a couple of other parents too.  Big G's dance teacher was due to deliver in a couple of days after the performance. I admire her for doing all this running around, she looked super-exhausted.

One thing I observed was most of Big G's group was v. interested in make-up esp. lipsticks and went to the mirror to check if it was on, else would come back and request a touch-up. Some of the girls were troublemakers - would not keep quiet or listen and also go about troubling others. Made me proud of my girls:) For the break the kids had got along something to keep themselves busy - drawing sheets, puzzle books, encyclopedia, cards, a sole Nintendo, a dolly tea-cup set..........They all had a chair to keep their things in place and were well organised mostly.

We were not allowed to take any pictures during the performance, but we can order a DVD. All in all, a great experience for Big G, though am sure she does not realize it yet, and me a proud mother:)

Couple of pics I clicked whilst waiting -

Big G in costume

In the dressing room