Dance isn't part of life,.. but life itself

I crave for it!!!... think about it, choreograph it in my head as a way of procrastination,... can't listen to music while I am working because my imagination will be lost in it. I thought that it would be some kind of stage in my life, but the reality is that I could never let go of it.

Not being an example of a prima-ballerina, nor having the height or body for it, got to stop me from continuing to fit (aka. squeeze-in) some kind of dancing in my life. Following my desire to be part of the Houston dance community, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Freneticore (Frenetifamily sounds more like the way the group feels like =).

Every single one of the dancers have some kind of special characteristic that makes them unique on stage. I was lucky enough to be able to see "Memoriam" a couple of times and really enjoy their special talents.

Mollie fit perfect as the timid but yet strong character as Stacey's friend (a little bit of a trouble maker ;). I was really struggling for Mollie's character and her constant internal fight in between being a friend but at the same time preventing herself to be influenced by Stacey's character. Mollie's movements were flawless (as always, she can really make any steps look like they are "easy" to do). Stacey,... oh my God how much I enjoyed your acting,.. it didn't even felt like that, you are a natural. Stacey is just a bundle of joy. I am very happy I had the opportunity to meet you. I wish I would have met you before and enjoy more of your afro-brazilian class. I am pretty sure you will kick a** anywhere you go. You personality can light up any "dark" room. Kira, ...in one word: powerful. I absolutely loved your performance. It was so strong, in so many ways,.. from the darkness of the character to the movements themselves. I bet you had a blast doing it too. Being the "bad guy" in the stories is so much fun. You are one of the most versatile people I have ever met in my life (no exaggerations). "Mal-mal" (aka Katie Perry) you are just as cute as a button. I am always impressed with your core strength, it almost feels like half of the time you are inventing a new way to be upside-down =D. You will always see her with a smile on her face. I haven't being able to make any of your jazz classes but I promise it is on my to-do list. Taylor, oh Taylor,... who would have thought that you will be in pointe again? (I did!!!) and I have to say that I am really glad to see you on them. Taylor did such a great job not only on her dancing and pointe work, but in the character itself. It was a perfect combination of innocence and creepiness. I also never thought I will see you with dark eyes hehe. She is a great friend and one of those "hard to find" people that will have your back no matter what. Rebecca, the sweet and patient one. She always have a good and positive comment in class, whether it has to be with the correction of dance step or just a silly joke to break the ice. Rebecca is a very organic and fluid dancer. It doesn't matter how much I try,.. my steps will never look the same as when she does them. She also thinks out of box, can't predict her next dance step,... always new ideas, you can never tell what her next performance will be about. And I love that!!! Last but not least Alex!, representing the male genre in class. Alex is such a gentleman and a very organized person. Thank you sooo much for your help on managing the house.

I am blessed to have people like you in my life. Whether it is the dancing part of my life, or the simple everyday life, you all contribute to fill it with happiness (thanks! =D )

Can't wait to see you all in class!

It's Raining It's Pouring

If you live in Houston it is very likely you were doing one of three things this morning during the abrupt storm that entruded on the city around 11:00 am. I can only assume you were either: worshiping…something; laying in bed listening to the vibrating thunder and sheets of rain; or curled up with a book enjoying a grilled cheese and warm tomato soup.  If you are a dancer for Freneticore you were swimming to rehearsal while dodging the inevitable “puddles” down Lockwood and Navigation. Of course this is not usually what one wants to be doing Sunday morning, but we all made it safe and sound one way or another and only a few minutes late. Rebecca French’s Sunday morning modern class usually begins with a juicy floor combo to get us awake and moving. Not today! Jumping jacks, ponies, chasse’s OH MY! With 100% trust in Rebecca the few of us that had arrived despite the outside conditions were ready to go for it! Rebecca puts on Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s Home. (If you have never heard this song stop reading now, navigate to whichever site you get your music and listen!) Everything about this song breathes happiness into your soul and was perfect to get us out of the funk the weather had brought on. Walking throughout the room passing hugs and greeting those jumping in from the rain, I thought to myself, “I’m home and my heart can breathe because my family is safe.”  My frenetifamily. Sharing a space and moving with such beautiful beings is my therapy. It was nice to let go for an hour and twenty minutes and just move. With our show, MEMORIUM opening in less than a week stress levels are a bit high. But we seemed to all be able to save it for later. We have all week to pull each others hair out. I’m sure, well I know, we will be at each others throats within 48 hours, but deep down we all know the show will be fabulous. It feels to me that July has crept up on all of us. I will not let myself believe we are a week into the month. I keep pushing July way, not because of fear of performance, but the inevitable departure of Stacey Ramsower. She leaves us on the 25th to head to New York. I could talk all day about this lady, but I’ll save it for another blog.  I have refused to accept her leaving ever since she announced her move. It hit me today in our final jump combination at the end of class. Leaping to Empire Sate of Mind,  I sailed through the air with Stacey and realized I have few chances left to do this with her.  I was selfish and continued to repeat the sequence with her, trying to keep my emotions inside and savor the moment.  So, while you were safe and cozy under your roof today, I was with my frenetifamily soaking up every moment and memory and every articulation…and preparing for an approaching goodbye.