Pointes of View

A few good men

fortwayneballet — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 20:03:38 +0000

I’ve been having such a great time substituting for Mr. David’s boys’ classes over the past few weeks. It is so valuable for young male dancers to be in an all-male (except, of course, for Ms. Alexis) environment. While those of us familiar with dance know the enormous strength, agility, coordination and endurance a male dancer must have to be able to perform what is asked of him, (Ballet Dancers Are Fitter Than International Swimmers, Study Finds) it can still be hard for a young dancer when he is the only boy in class.

In researching some video of Male Variations from different ballets to share with the Boys, I recently found a blog that I wanted to share with everyone!

http://boysdoballet.blogspot.com/?m=1

The blog features some video clips of AMAZING male dancers, from Rudolph Nureyev to Fred Astaire to Lil’ Buck (of So You Think You Can Dance fame) that all dancers, not only boys, might enjoy.

- Ms. Alexis

My Johnny Appleseed Experience

fortwayneballet — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:19:24 +0000

Being new toFort Wayne, I had never heard of the Johnny Appleseed Festival. But in my position as the new Development Officer, I discovered that I would be volunteering at the event. What I did not know is that volunteering meant I had to wear a costume, one that included a bonnet. Then I heard the whispers of the Johnny Appleseed police, how they come to your booth to make sure you are following the rules which usually leads to them making you cover something in burlap. Before the event even started, I was convinced I would be escorted out of the festival for not wearing the proper black or brown leather shoes.

Despite the terror of the festival police, I arrived at the Johnny Appleseed fairgrounds bright and early on Saturday morning, prepared to step into the 1800s for the weekend. As I felt the cool autumn breeze, I got dressed in my costume – bonnet and all. Then before the first shift had a chance to breathe and way before the cannon shot to announce the start of the day, customers were lined up at the booth ready for their apple dumplings! That success continued throughout the weekend. Customers shared their love for our apple dumplings all weekend, with testaments of how our dumplings are the only reason they come to the festival each year. In order to serve all of our customers, volunteers were consistently caramel saucing, whipping creaming and serving apple dumplings. This led Fort Wayne Ballet’s Apple Dumpling Booth to sell out both days!

As a new staff member of the Ballet, I am thrilled at the success of this event but I am even more excited about having the opportunity to share this bonding experience with all of the volunteers. I got to know so many of Fort Wayne Ballet’s family members, and I enjoyed every minute of it. Thank you to all the volunteers, board member and staff who helped make my first Johnny Appleseed festival so fun – and successful! See you next year.

-Genevieve

Back to Business

fortwayneballet — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:19:15 +0000

It’s been a crazy time, with the move being the central focus for so many weeks, even as summer camps and classes kept our old building on Penn Avenue humming. While the faculty kept their attentions on the students, the rest of us were concerned about crates and logistics, and the entire staff needed to carefully pack each office for the move. Now, mostly unpacked and settled into our new quarters, it’s time for the real fun to start–company classes and youth company classes begin this week with the full schedule of classes beginning next week.

Our Open House was a rousing success, with many families stopping by to check out the new studios and the beautiful surroundings of the Auer Center for Arts & Culture. We’re very excited to have some many new and returning students to share our joy and our dance! (Michele D.)

Lunch on the Square

fortwayneballet — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 17:07:15 +0000

Visited the bustling Lunch on the Square today along with David and Alexis Ingram, our newest additions to the FWB faculty and dance corps. Things were hopping–great crowd–for the kickoff of the Lending a Hand program and the debut of its theme song, “Everyday People,” by Sugar Shot. We enjoyed a little time in the sun and the chance to talk with people about our new studios and this Saturday’s Open House. Mayor Henry was there to signal the beginning of the Year of Lending a Hand, and he was most gracious in chatting about the new ballet studios and his granddaughter’s great appreciation of our production of The Nutcracker. Perfect day to be downtown, and we look forward to participating in these weekly opportunities more next year. Our early efforts in June were foiled by rainy and windy weather, but today was ideal–and we love being a short walk from the festivities in downtown. (Not to mention the many lunch options now available within a few short blocks!)

Hope to see some of you visiting our new space on Saturday (10 a.m. until 2 p.m)–let us know if you heard about it from our blog! (Michele D.)

Coming home

fortwayneballet — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 14:48:00 +0000

Last week was exciting, with the move from Penn Avenue to Main Street and the fun of settling into our new work stations and studios. But this week the place really feels like home with the return of David Ingram and Lucia Rogers, both of whom were sharing their dance talents with the rest of the world. With David in New York City and Lucia in Chicago, there was a feeling that the family was not complete as we made this monumental change. Today with everyone here and things being hung on walls (always the last, best touch), we can finally ready ourselves for the swirl of activity ahead. Saturday we will open our doors to the public and share for the first time our new studios and offices. Our schedule of classes will broaden a bit, too, with more open classes, particularly lunch hour offerings meant to bring the community to our studios for everything from ballet to Pilates, yoga to Zumba. Please feel free to stop by Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) to find out more or give us a call at 260-484-9646 if you’re interested in more information about FWB classes!

Pianos are in the building

fortwayneballet — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:42:37 +0000

Although the dance studios have been looking quite lovely, they’ve also been a bit lonely — because what’s a dance studio without a piano? But fear not, the pianos have arrived safely, thanks to Hoover the Mover. From the front desk, the black baby grand is visible in Studio A although it will likely get moved around few more times as Marley continues to be installed in the four studios.

It was a quiet morning with some little technical issues leaving us without internet, email or phone for a few hours. Issues are being resolved slowly but surely so by next week, Fort Wayne Ballet can begin to settle into our new home comfortably.

If you love garage sales — and who doesn’t? — feel free to visit Fort Wayne Ballet’s rummage sale tomorrow (Saturday) morning from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at our former building, 324 Penn Avenue (just off Clinton, south of Target and Glenbrook Square). A variety of office furniture and equipment will be available, and volunteers will happily help you find your bargain. Saturdays will be busy this month, and the rummage sale is just the beginning. Our Open House will be next Saturday (August 20, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.) and the following Saturday (August 27), FWB will perform at the annual Taste of the Arts in downtown. Please visit us at any or all of these occasions! (Michele D.)

Home at Last!

fortwayneballet — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:35:12 +0000

It’s taken a lot of work by a lot of people — including some amazing volunteers who have helped make the move almost seamless — but it’s been worth it. Fort Wayne Ballet is now a happy member of the downtown community, settling comfortably into the Auer Center for Arts & Culture on East Main Street. The studios are amazing, and from the front reception area we can see not only the lovely Studio A but also straight through to the Arts United Center across the street. Computers and phones are finally set up and starting to buzz, the sound of work beginning while unpacking continues. The stack of emptied yellow crates (thanks to Hoover the Mover) is growing as everything from office supplies to studio equipment find a new place in the new space. 4EOS has worked tirelessly to make sure computers are set up properly, and the staff at Arts United (also recently located to the Auer Center) have helped enormously as we encounter the inevitable glitches of any major move. Marley is currently covering the sprung floors so that all will be ready for our Open House on August 20 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and for our new semester of classes which begin on August 29. We hope you’ll come visit us and will love our new home as much as we do! (Michele D.)

Countdown to Takeoff!

fortwayneballet — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:22:04 +0000

With only two days left until Hoover the Mover pulls the truck up to our soon-to-be former home, volunteers are busily helping to pack, clean and organize almost five decades of Fort Wayne Ballet history (not to mention everything from coffee pots to priceless costumes) before Wednesday. Our friends at Hoover the Mover have provided crates which have been filled to the brim with files and office materials, and crews (consisiting of students and their parents) are now removing barres and mirrors from our studios. With the special Marley flooring rolled and ready to go, our new studios will have some familiar reminders of our Penn Avenue studios while providing a “window on our world” so downtown passersby can see the hard work taking place in our beautiful new space.

As with any move, we all feel everything from fatigue to elation. While it’s never easy to leave behind so many memories, built from the amazing growth of Fort Wayne Ballet in the 40+ years on Penn Avenue, we look forward to what awaits us in our new studios. The opportunity to be part of downtown’s revitalization and the proximity of other arts organizations with whom to collaborate provide the promise of a very exciting new time for FWB. We hope you’ll join us in celebration by stopping by our Open House on Saturday, August 20 (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) when we can show off the fruit of this week’s labors, our new home at the Auer Center for Arts & Culture! (Michele D.)

Our Big Move!

fortwayneballet — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 18:20:32 +0000

After more than four decades at our location on Penn Avenue–in a facility originally intended to be a “temporary home” for Fort Wayne Ballet–we’re packing our belongings and heading downtown! Our new studios are beautiful, with windows looking out over East Main Street–the Arts United Center and Freimann Square provide a lovely view for our dancers while those lunching on the Square can enjoy the sight of art being created on the second floor of the Auer Center for Arts & Culture.

Along with new studios, we are also unveiling a new website, which will provide more information about our Performances, our Academy, and the educational opportunities offered through our Community Engagement. Visit often at www.fortwayneballet.org

And stayed tuned to this blog the week of August 8 as we post updates on the progress of the move!

Welcome to Pointes of View!

fortwayneballet — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 16:08:23 +0000

“The dancer’s body is simply the luminous manifestation of the soul.” Isadora Duncan

Thank you for visiting Pointes of View, the official blog of Fort Wayne Ballet! Here you will find updates and behind-the-scenes info about the upcoming performances, Academy classes and special events of FWB. The performers, faculty and staff will contribute regularly, providing unique perspectives on the exciting happenings in our new studios in downtown Fort Wayne. Keep posted — or better yet subscribe — so you’ll always be abreast of the latest news at Fort Wayne Ballet!