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Fancy Culture at the Ballet

Last night Chris and I took in some culture and went to the Pacific Northwest Ballet’s performance of “Love Stories.” Instead of a traditional ballet, this was a collection of pas de deux from various ballets, including Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. Honestly, I thought one of the coolest parts was how young the audience was – I used to go to ballet, opera and symphony performances at the Kennedy Center, and the other patrons were usually of the older persuasion. I was in the arts long enough to understand that as much as we loved and appreciated our elderly audience members, if we didn’t get younger people going to performances the arts weren’t going to survive to the next generation. So hooray for Seattle!

Fancy times at the Opera Hall Fancy times at the Opera Hall

I love going to the Ballet and Opera, partially because of the dramatic and ridiculous plot lines. This is why “Marriage of Figaro” is one of my favorite art pieces ever; the plot-line is so over-the top. Or at least I used to think the mad-cap-schemes, adultery, vendettas and general insanity were unrealistic, but . . eh, sadly, by the time you hit 27 you realize that it isn’t so implausible. “Marriage of Figaro” was originally banned by Louis the XVI for mocking the aristocracy, but between underground performances and the patronage of Queen Marie Antoinette, it was allowed to be played in public. Mozart, eighteenth century costumes and Marie Antoinette? A great bunch of awesome!

Between the Opera house and rehearsal space, the wet on the right is a fountain designed to walk into accidentally. Between the Opera house and rehearsal space, the wet on the right is a fountain designed to walk into accidentally.

I had a great time at the show, and it brought back memories of six years of ballet when I was a kid. I had such a good time in ballet and at our performance; it really is a great way to get children used to working in concert with one another, without show-boating. I know a lot of people advocate sports to teach children team-work, but ballet and music teach kids to work together to create, not compete. Sure, some kids are better than others, but being average and good at something is another great lesson. Even if you aren’t the prima ballerina or first chair, you’re contribution is important to the whole. Plus the best part of the arts is that you can suck-up or scheme all you want, but if you can’t actually play the solo, paint in an aesthetically pleasing way or dance the pas de deux, everyone will immediately know, and you won’t get very far.

Lee wants to be a music major like his Mom, Dad, Uncle Kai and Grandma Joan. He is going to play the Piccolo. Lee wants to be a music major like his Mom, Dad, Uncle Kai and Grandma Joan. He is going to play the Piccolo.

Speaking of art, I took this sunset picture the other day that looks like it is a pastel – I know Key West and San Francisco are famous for sunsets, but I’ve never seen anything like the sun setting over Puget Sound behind the Olympics.

Of course, this weekend has been rainy due to the massive snow hurricane that slammed into Alaska last week, but a nice rainy day is always a good excuse for sitting inside reading a book. Plus if I sit on the couch facing the windows, I might spy one of the Orcas that are supposedly playing in the Sound this time of year. I keep thinking if I don’t believe in the Orcas, they will appear to prove to me they exist.

Henry thinks this blog should be called "HenryTown" Henry thinks this blog should be called "HenryTown"

Tomorrow we’re going to take the Ferry over to Bainbridge Island and onward to another Island, I am very excited, because the islands and water are one of the great parts of living here.

Oohhh, yay, “My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding” is on, I love this series. Giant, fluffy dresses, beadazzlers, huge hair, it’s so inspirational!